Category	Weight	0 pts	1 pts	2 pts	3 pts	4 pts	5 pts
Graphics	1	No Graphics	Basic text based graphics ripped from another project (copyright rules still apply)	Coder Art used as little more than place holders	Good graphics but not necessarily consistent or well used. Little animation	Artwork is consistent with game play. Good animations. Some decent variety (Poorly drawn but thoughtful art qualifies).	Outstanding graphics with consistent and well chosen palettes, good animations, and graphics which suit the game play but are varied throughout
Sound	1	No Sound	Poor quality, limited sound effects which have little or nothing to do with the actual game	Some sound effects which coincide with actual game events	Decent variety of sound effects tied to in game events	Quality sound effects which contribute and enhance the game play (in other words, the judge did not have to turn the volume off after a few minutes of play due to annoyance.	Outstanding sound effects that add significantly to the game experience. Lots of variety in the effects.
Music	1	No Music	Has music but is of poor quality and low variety and not seem to fit the game play	Music which does not necessarily match game play but is of high quality and/or varied	Varied quality music which does not distract from game play	Varied original score which suits the game play and adds significantly to the ambiance of the game	Outstanding, original, well suited music. Advanced music programming as evidenced by dynamic tempo changes and beat timed events.
Controls	1	No Controls	Basic directional and button controls. Some glitches and no attempt at physical simulation on player motion	Game responds to user input in some intuitive and glitch free manner	High quality physical response to controls with appropriate choice of input device and scheme for game play. (Game is not comfortable to play)	More advanced input techniques are apparent such as combos of appropriate physical simulation of motion based upon input	Game controls are extremely well refined and appropriate for the game play style with advanced or unique forming of player input.
Network Multiplayer	1	No network or multiplayer support	Some network features present (high scores recorded on a global list for instance. ~OR~ two or more players can play the game in the same session in a non competitive, non cooperative turn based manner. (i.e. Two player SMB for instance)	Network features contribute in some way to game play (via downloadable of uploadable content) OR players interact through cooperative or competitive play on a single DS (like a turn based strategy game)	Network is used to provied in game interaction between DS consoles (via chat, voip, or multiplayer interaction)	A refined way to locate and engage other online players via game lobby or similar construct	Multiplayer interaction is a central component of the game and adds significantly to the game play. (Any game were you can group up and explore a level or compete against another group would qualify)
Fun	2	Didn't like it at all or could not figure out how to play	Was a playable but did not hold attention of the judges	Held attention long enough to complete several levels/minutes of the game	Had moments of fun or was very fun, but very short	Was entertaining enough that one might play it even if they were not forced to, because they had to judge it.	Game play was such that there is a glimmer of commercial potential.
Theme	1	Not a winter theme...(minus 40!)	Winter theme obviously slapped on at the last minute	Chance of snow	Wintery mix	I had to put a heavy coat on just to play the game	brrrrrrr