diff --git a/guidelines/Guidelines.md b/guidelines/Guidelines.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..110f117
--- /dev/null
+++ b/guidelines/Guidelines.md
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+**Add your own guidelines here**
+<!--
+
+System Guidelines
+
+Use this file to provide the AI with rules and guidelines you want it to follow.
+This template outlines a few examples of things you can add. You can add your own sections and format it to suit your needs
+
+TIP: More context isn't always better. It can confuse the LLM. Try and add the most important rules you need
+
+# General guidelines
+
+Any general rules you want the AI to follow.
+For example:
+
+* Only use absolute positioning when necessary. Opt for responsive and well structured layouts that use flexbox and grid by default
+* Refactor code as you go to keep code clean
+* Keep file sizes small and put helper functions and components in their own files.
+
+--------------
+
+# Design system guidelines
+Rules for how the AI should make generations look like your company's design system
+
+Additionally, if you select a design system to use in the prompt box, you can reference
+your design system's components, tokens, variables and components.
+For example:
+
+* Use a base font-size of 14px
+* Date formats should always be in the format “Jun 10”
+* The bottom toolbar should only ever have a maximum of 4 items
+* Never use the floating action button with the bottom toolbar
+* Chips should always come in sets of 3 or more
+* Don't use a dropdown if there are 2 or fewer options
+
+You can also create sub sections and add more specific details
+For example:
+
+
+## Button
+The Button component is a fundamental interactive element in our design system, designed to trigger actions or navigate
+users through the application. It provides visual feedback and clear affordances to enhance user experience.
+
+### Usage
+Buttons should be used for important actions that users need to take, such as form submissions, confirming choices,
+or initiating processes. They communicate interactivity and should have clear, action-oriented labels.
+
+### Variants
+* Primary Button
+  * Purpose : Used for the main action in a section or page
+  * Visual Style : Bold, filled with the primary brand color
+  * Usage : One primary button per section to guide users toward the most important action
+* Secondary Button
+  * Purpose : Used for alternative or supporting actions
+  * Visual Style : Outlined with the primary color, transparent background
+  * Usage : Can appear alongside a primary button for less important actions
+* Tertiary Button
+  * Purpose : Used for the least important actions
+  * Visual Style : Text-only with no border, using primary color
+  * Usage : For actions that should be available but not emphasized
+-->
diff --git a/src/features/snake-game/SnakeGame.tsx b/src/features/snake-game/SnakeGame.tsx
index 9f93734..efdd855 100644
--- a/src/features/snake-game/SnakeGame.tsx
+++ b/src/features/snake-game/SnakeGame.tsx
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import { ScoreDisplay } from './components/ScoreDisplay';
 import { DecorativeBolt } from './components/DecorativeBolt';
 import { GameTabs } from './components/GameTabs';
 import { HighScoreBadge } from './components/HighScoreBadge';
-import { ComboBadge } from './components/ComboBadge';
 import { Countdown } from './components/Countdown';
 import { PauseOverlay } from './components/PauseOverlay';
 import { useSwipe } from './hooks/useSwipe';
@@ -29,6 +28,7 @@ export function SnakeGame({ className = '' }: SnakeGameProps) {
     mode,
     leaderboard,
     combo,
+    lastEatTime,
     particles,
     shakeKey,
     actions,
@@ -89,12 +89,9 @@ export function SnakeGame({ className = '' }: SnakeGameProps) {
             status={status}
             score={score}
             mode={mode}
-            difficulty={difficulty}
             leaderboard={leaderboard}
             onStart={handleStartClick}
             onSaveScore={actions.saveToLeaderboard}
-            onSetDifficulty={actions.setDifficulty}
-            onSetMode={actions.setMode}
           />
 
           {status === 'countdown' && <Countdown onFinish={actions.startGame} />}
@@ -121,18 +118,13 @@ export function SnakeGame({ className = '' }: SnakeGameProps) {
             </>
           )}
 
-          {status === 'playing' && combo > 1 && (
-            <div className="absolute top-3 right-3 sm:top-6 sm:right-6 pointer-events-none">
-              <ComboBadge combo={combo} />
-            </div>
-          )}
         </div>
       </div>
 
       <div className="flex flex-col items-end justify-between w-full lg:w-[180px] gap-6">
         <div className="flex flex-col gap-6 w-full">
           <GameControls status={status} onDirection={handleDirectionClick} />
-          <ScoreDisplay score={score} mode={mode} />
+          <ScoreDisplay score={score} mode={mode} combo={combo} lastEatTime={lastEatTime} />
         </div>
 
         <button
diff --git a/src/features/snake-game/components/ComboBadge.tsx b/src/features/snake-game/components/ComboBadge.tsx
deleted file mode 100644
index 7f47874..0000000
--- a/src/features/snake-game/components/ComboBadge.tsx
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,15 +0,0 @@
-interface ComboBadgeProps {
-  combo: number;
-}
-
-export function ComboBadge({ combo }: ComboBadgeProps) {
-  const multiplier = Math.min(combo, 5);
-  return (
-    <div
-      key={combo}
-      className="font-['Fira_Code',sans-serif] text-[11px] text-[#b14eff] bg-[#020618]/80 border border-[#b14eff]/40 px-2 py-1 rounded combo-pop"
-    >
-      combo x{multiplier}
-    </div>
-  );
-}
diff --git a/src/features/snake-game/components/GameOverlay.tsx b/src/features/snake-game/components/GameOverlay.tsx
index 61ddafd..c37ee97 100644
--- a/src/features/snake-game/components/GameOverlay.tsx
+++ b/src/features/snake-game/components/GameOverlay.tsx
@@ -1,33 +1,25 @@
 import { memo, useState } from 'react';
-import type { GameStatus, GameMode, LeaderboardEntry, Difficulty } from '../types';
-import { DIFFICULTY_LABELS, MODE_LABELS } from '../constants';
+import type { GameStatus, GameMode, LeaderboardEntry } from '../types';
+import { DIFFICULTY_LABELS } from '../constants';
 
 const MEDALS = ['#FFD700', '#C0C0C0', '#CD7F32'] as const;
-const DIFFICULTIES: Difficulty[] = ['easy', 'normal', 'hard'];
-const MODES: GameMode[] = ['casual', 'competitive'];
 
 interface GameOverlayProps {
   status: GameStatus;
   score: number;
   mode: GameMode;
-  difficulty: Difficulty;
   leaderboard: LeaderboardEntry[];
   onStart: () => void;
   onSaveScore: (name: string) => void;
-  onSetDifficulty: (d: Difficulty) => void;
-  onSetMode: (m: GameMode) => void;
 }
 
 export const GameOverlay = memo(function GameOverlay({
   status,
   score,
   mode,
-  difficulty,
   leaderboard,
   onStart,
   onSaveScore,
-  onSetDifficulty,
-  onSetMode,
 }: GameOverlayProps) {
   const [playerName, setPlayerName] = useState('');
   const [saved, setSaved] = useState(false);
@@ -144,44 +136,12 @@ export const GameOverlay = memo(function GameOverlay({
           </div>
         )}
 
-        <div className="pt-2 space-y-3">
-          <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-center gap-1.5 font-['Fira_Code',sans-serif] text-[11px]">
-            {DIFFICULTIES.map((d) => (
-              <button
-                key={d}
-                onClick={() => onSetDifficulty(d)}
-                className={`px-2 py-1 rounded transition-colors ${
-                  difficulty === d
-                    ? 'bg-[#43D9AD] text-[#020618]'
-                    : 'text-[#90a1b9] hover:text-[#f8fafc] border border-[#314158]'
-                }`}
-              >
-                {DIFFICULTY_LABELS[d]}
-              </button>
-            ))}
-            <span className="text-[#314158] mx-0.5">|</span>
-            {MODES.map((m) => (
-              <button
-                key={m}
-                onClick={() => onSetMode(m)}
-                className={`px-2 py-1 rounded transition-colors ${
-                  mode === m
-                    ? 'bg-[#9d4edd] text-[#f8fafc]'
-                    : 'text-[#90a1b9] hover:text-[#f8fafc] border border-[#314158]'
-                }`}
-              >
-                {MODE_LABELS[m]}
-              </button>
-            ))}
-          </div>
-
-          <button
-            onClick={handleRestart}
-            className="bg-[#ffb86a] hover:bg-[#ffb86a]/90 transition-colors px-6 py-2.5 rounded-lg font-['Fira_Code',sans-serif] font-[450] text-[#020618] text-sm focus-visible:outline-2 focus-visible:outline-[#f8fafc] focus-visible:outline-offset-2"
-          >
-            {buttonLabel}
-          </button>
-        </div>
+        <button
+          onClick={handleRestart}
+          className="bg-[#ffb86a] hover:bg-[#ffb86a]/90 transition-colors px-6 py-2.5 rounded-lg font-['Fira_Code',sans-serif] font-[450] text-[#020618] text-sm focus-visible:outline-2 focus-visible:outline-[#f8fafc] focus-visible:outline-offset-2"
+        >
+          {buttonLabel}
+        </button>
       </div>
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/src/features/snake-game/components/ScoreDisplay.tsx b/src/features/snake-game/components/ScoreDisplay.tsx
index ffa491d..db93433 100644
--- a/src/features/snake-game/components/ScoreDisplay.tsx
+++ b/src/features/snake-game/components/ScoreDisplay.tsx
@@ -1,14 +1,23 @@
 import { memo } from 'react';
-import { FOOD_TO_WIN_CASUAL } from '../constants';
+import { FOOD_TO_WIN_CASUAL, COMBO_WINDOW_MS } from '../constants';
 import type { GameMode } from '../types';
 
 interface ScoreDisplayProps {
   score: number;
   mode: GameMode;
+  combo: number;
+  lastEatTime: number;
 }
 
-export const ScoreDisplay = memo(function ScoreDisplay({ score, mode }: ScoreDisplayProps) {
+export const ScoreDisplay = memo(function ScoreDisplay({
+  score,
+  mode,
+  combo,
+  lastEatTime,
+}: ScoreDisplayProps) {
   if (mode === 'competitive') {
+    const showCombo = combo > 1;
+    const multiplier = Math.min(combo, 5);
     return (
       <div className="w-full">
         <p className="font-['Fira_Code',sans-serif] text-[#f8fafc] text-sm mb-1">
@@ -17,6 +26,18 @@ export const ScoreDisplay = memo(function ScoreDisplay({ score, mode }: ScoreDis
         <p className="font-['Fira_Code',sans-serif] text-[#43D9AD] text-2xl font-bold">
           {score}
         </p>
+        <div className="h-8 mt-2">
+          {showCombo && (
+            <div
+              key={lastEatTime}
+              className="snake-combo font-['Fira_Code',sans-serif] text-[#b14eff] text-xs inline-flex items-center gap-1.5"
+              style={{ animationDuration: `${COMBO_WINDOW_MS}ms` }}
+            >
+              <span>combo x{multiplier}</span>
+              <span className="snake-combo-bar" style={{ animationDuration: `${COMBO_WINDOW_MS}ms` }} />
+            </div>
+          )}
+        </div>
       </div>
     );
   }
diff --git a/src/features/snake-game/hooks/useSnakeGame.ts b/src/features/snake-game/hooks/useSnakeGame.ts
index 29679cf..45b21d1 100644
--- a/src/features/snake-game/hooks/useSnakeGame.ts
+++ b/src/features/snake-game/hooks/useSnakeGame.ts
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ export function useSnakeGame() {
   const mode = useGameStore((s) => s.mode);
   const leaderboard = useGameStore((s) => s.leaderboard);
   const combo = useGameStore((s) => s.combo);
+  const lastEatTime = useGameStore((s) => s.lastEatTime);
   const particles = useGameStore((s) => s.particles);
   const shakeKey = useGameStore((s) => s.shakeKey);
   const startGame = useGameStore((s) => s.startGame);
@@ -90,6 +91,7 @@ export function useSnakeGame() {
     mode,
     leaderboard,
     combo,
+    lastEatTime,
     particles,
     shakeKey,
     remainingFood,
diff --git a/src/features/snake-game/store/useGameStore.ts b/src/features/snake-game/store/useGameStore.ts
index 7cc8f7f..557291e 100644
--- a/src/features/snake-game/store/useGameStore.ts
+++ b/src/features/snake-game/store/useGameStore.ts
@@ -276,9 +276,10 @@ export const useGameStore = create<GameStore>((set, get) => ({
     if (food && newHead.x === food.x && newHead.y === food.y) {
       const { score, highScore } = get();
       const foodCfg = FOOD_TYPES[food.type];
+      const isCompetitive = mode === 'competitive';
       const withinCombo = tickTime - lastEatTime < COMBO_WINDOW_MS && lastEatTime > 0;
-      const newCombo = withinCombo ? combo + 1 : 1;
-      const comboMultiplier = Math.min(newCombo, 5);
+      const newCombo = isCompetitive && withinCombo ? combo + 1 : 1;
+      const comboMultiplier = isCompetitive ? Math.min(newCombo, 5) : 1;
       const newScore = score + foodCfg.points * comboMultiplier;
       const newFood = generateRandomFood(newSnake);
       const newParticles = [...particles, ...spawnParticles(food.x, food.y, foodCfg.color, 10)];
diff --git a/src/styles/theme.css b/src/styles/theme.css
index c7b5f6e..66b7846 100644
--- a/src/styles/theme.css
+++ b/src/styles/theme.css
@@ -105,6 +105,31 @@
   animation: combo-pop 0.25s ease-out;
 }
 
+@keyframes snake-combo-fade {
+  0% { opacity: 1; }
+  60% { opacity: 1; }
+  100% { opacity: 0; }
+}
+
+.snake-combo {
+  animation: snake-combo-fade linear forwards;
+}
+
+@keyframes snake-combo-bar {
+  0% { transform: scaleX(1); }
+  100% { transform: scaleX(0); }
+}
+
+.snake-combo-bar {
+  display: inline-block;
+  width: 40px;
+  height: 3px;
+  background: #b14eff;
+  border-radius: 2px;
+  transform-origin: left center;
+  animation: snake-combo-bar linear forwards;
+}
+
 @keyframes countdown-pop {
   0% { transform: scale(0.4); opacity: 0; }
   40% { transform: scale(1.1); opacity: 1; }