And now for something quite different - here's our first video gaming Music Review!

This time 'round we'll be presenting our take on the better of the two tunes for the city-themed courses in Mario Kart 64 and Mario Kart Wii... Toad's Turnpike VS Moonview Highway. Check inside for the full scoop!

Mario Kart 64 (1997) had some pretty good music for its day with the normal helping of catchy tunes from Nintendo, but arguably one of the best was that found on Toad's Turnpike, a busy highway course complete with a fleet of meandering vehicles (or oncoming, in the case of Mirror Mode - a great party trick guaranteed to catch your mates off-guard!)

Mario Kart Wii (2008) features a much faster-paced tune for Moonview Highway, the course itself continuing the flavour with plenty of vehicles which although - sadly - continue following the same old direction this time in Mirror Mode, still complete a very impressive and well-done course.

First off, here's each piece of music so you can listen in while checking out our comparison.

Mario Kart 64: Toad's Turnpike (TT)

Mario Kart Wii: Moonview Highway (MH)

Now down to business!

Round 1: 0:00 - 0:14
TT starts out with a looong, serious sounding section here with a good beat that really sets the mood well for the rest of the song, but if it's your first time of hearing really might not go down all that well.
MH's opening section gets straight into the fast-paced flavour of the song and really lets you know what it's all going to be about.

Round 1: MH

Round 2: 00:15 - 00:30
Well, well! TT goes full-steam ahead into the rhythm now, pumping out the now famous main theme much to the delight of the seasoned listener.
MH continues with its warbling tune heard in the first round for a while before progressing into a pleasant, busy-sounding theme that puts up quite a good fight. Not good enough though, sadly.

Round 2: TT

Round 3: 00:31 - 00:50
TT continues its beat, elaborating with some higher pitches and a nice overall tone. Sounds good!
MH repeats its earlier statement with a little more vehemency, but by now is sounding a bit bland for its fast-paced nature.

Round 3: TT

Round 4: 00:51 - 01:09
TT stumbles a little here with a rather weaker section that essentially repeats its earlier themes.
MH puts an abrupt yet pleasing end to the proceedings and gets back to looping. Good show!

Round 4: MH

Round 5: 01:10 - 01:19
TT ends in great style with a nice, catchy finishing piece.
MH doesn't have a comparable ending, but even if it did - there's no beating TT here.

Round 5: TT

The Overall Winner, then, is:

Toad's Turnpike!

A thoroughly enjoyable piece with only a couple of weak spots, Toad's Turnpike is the deserved victor here. Moonview Highway sounds good but doesn't quite come up to the greatness of the 64's effort.

Agree? Disagree?
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