Software Rating System
All games reviewed on Ndex are given a score out of ten. The score is given arbitrarily based on six vital game aspects. They are: game design, graphics, sound, control, satisfaction and replay value.
Game Design
Game design is how well the game plays and how fun it is to play. It is a very important aspect of any game. If a game has great game design it will most likely receive a good score unless the game falls short in many technical aspects. Subtopics of game design include: game mechanics, innovation, originality, extras and depth. Game mechanics, are how the technical aspects of the game (graphics and sound) benefit game play. For example, a game may have poor graphics that make objects in the game hard to see will get a low score. When a game is innovative, it contains new ideas that have not appeared in other games before. Original ideas in a game are good. If a game simply takes ideas from old games and implements them poorly, the game will not receive a good score. However, if a game is a sequel that has some new ideas it will receive a good originality score. Extras prolong the length of a game. They could be cheats, codes or extra goals that can be completed after the game is beaten. Depth is a progressive complexity. A good game should be easy to understand at first then as one learns more about the game and how it operates, it should get more complex. A gamer should be able to learn more about the game as he/she continues to play it.
Graphics
Graphics is how the game is displayed on screen. Graphic elements include, foreground, background, framerates, character design and effects. Subtopics include: character/animation, environment, framerate. Character/animation scoring is based on how well the game's characters are designed and how well they move. Graphical environment includes every graphical element except charter design. A game with a good framrate does not slow down; many games try to push a system's resources too far, causing a framerate slowdown.
Sound
Sound is simply how a game sounds. Music and sound effects are all taken into account when a game is rated.
Control
Control is a very important aspect in games. The control design of a game can determine the game's playability. For example, if a game is difficult to play because it is hard to control the control rating would be low. Control subtopics include: during play, menus and functionality. The game's control during game play is very important. Simply put, if a game has bad in-game control, it is bad. Menu control and menu design are not very important, but if a game has exceptionally poorly designed menus, it could hinder its enjoyment. Functionality is how the game operates when a controller button is pressed. If the game's controls are to sensitive or to stiff, the score will be low.
Satisfaction
Satisfaction is the feeling you get from playing a game. Some games may give the gamer a feeling of accomplishment while other games will be downright addicting. Likewise, if a game is poorly designed, the gamer will most likely feel unsatisfied, bored or frustrated. Subtopics of satisfaction are: challenge and fun-factor. Challenge is the difficulty of the game. If the game is too easy or too hard, it will receive a low score. Fun-Factor is how fun a game is. Fun-factor a very important category.
Replay Value
Replay value is the amount of times the gamer is likely to play the game once it is completed. The best games will have high replay values.
Multiplayer
If a game contains a multiplayer mode, it will be rated as well.
Hardware Rating System
All hardware devices reviewed on The Nintendo Index are given a score out of ten. The score is given arbitrarily based on three vital aspects. They are: design, value and satisfaction.
Design
Design is how well the product is made. When the design of a product is discussed one must consider: the quality of its components, the ease of operation, how durable the product is and how well it operates. Devices with high-quality components are more likely to last longer. Products with inferior components will breakdown rather quickly. Most hardware devices should be easy to operate. If a product is complicated to operate, documentation must be provided with the product. If the documentation is not included or if it is inadequate, this category will receive a low score. Hardware devices should be able to take some physical abuse. Certain products should be more durable then others. A game controller, for example, should be very durable. Functionality is how well a product operates. If you buy a third party controller for your GameCube and the analog stick is too sensitive or not sensitive enough, it will be a problem.
Value
When judging the value of a product, two factors are considered: the price of the hardware device and the warranty of the hardware device. Often, there are many similar hardware devices. If they are all very similar, one is most likely going to buy the cheapest one. Some products include warranties, if a hardware device breaks it could cost almost as much to repair it then to buy a new one. A warranty could save you money. However, some hardware products (such as cases) do not really require a warranty. If a product is not expected to require a warranty, it will not receive a low score.
Satisfaction
The last category discussed is satisfaction. It basically discusses why someone will or will not enjoy the hardware device.
Scoring System
The following is an example scoring system. The reviewer will give each section a score out of ten at his/her own discretion. The overall score is not an average but a score assigned to the game based on how the reviewer thinks the game should be scored.
Single Player Game Scoring System
| Game Design |
7.5 |
| Mechanics |
7.5 |
| Innovation |
8.5 |
| Originality |
7.5 |
| Extras |
6.0 |
| Depth |
8.0 |
| Graphics |
6.3 |
| Character/Animation |
6.0 |
| Environment |
6.0 |
| Framerate |
7.0 |
| Sound |
7.3 |
| Music |
8.5 |
| Sound FX/Voice |
6.0 |
| Control |
9.0 |
| During Play |
9.5 |
| Menus |
8.5 |
| Functionality |
9.0 |
| Satisfaction |
9.3 |
| Challenge |
9.0 |
| Fun-Factor |
9.5 |
| Replay Value/Game Length |
9.5 |
| FINAL SCORE |
8.5 |
 |
Multiplayer Game Scoring System
| Game Design |
8.8 |
| Mechanics |
9.0 |
| Innovation |
8.0 |
| Originality |
7.0 |
| Extras |
10 |
| Depth |
10 |
| Graphics |
9.2 |
| Character/Animation |
9.0 |
| Environment |
9.0 |
| Framerate |
9.5 |
| Sound |
9.0 |
| Music |
9.0 |
| Sound FX/Voice |
9.0 |
| Control |
9.7 |
| During Play |
10 |
| Menus |
10 |
| Functionality |
9.5 |
| Satisfaction |
9.0 |
| Challenge |
9.0 |
| Fun-Factor |
9.0 |
| Replay Value/Game Length |
10 |
| Multiplayer |
10 |
| FINAL SCORE |
9.2 |
 |
Hardware Scoring System
| Design |
6.5 |
| Quality |
8.0 |
| Operation |
6.0 |
| Durability |
7.0 |
| Functionality |
5.0 |
| Value |
8.0 |
| Price |
7.0 |
| Warranty |
9.0 |
| Satisfaction |
6.5 |
| FINAL SCORE |
6.9 |
Scoring Breakdown
10 = Flawless
9.9-9.0 = Excellent
8.9-8.0 = Very Good
7.9-7.0 = Good
6.9-6.0 = Average
5.9-5.0 = Bad
4.9-0 = Useless
Awards
Games will receive an award based on their score. There are five different awards, bronze, silver, gold, platinum and classic.
If a game/product scores 8.5 - 8.8 it will receive a bronze award.
If a game/product scores 8.9 - 9.1 it will receive a silver award.
If a game/product scores 9.2 - 9.4 it will receive a gold award.
If a game/product scores 9.5 - 9.7 it will receive a platinum award.
If a game/product scores 9.8 - 10 it will receive a classic award.
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