Death match: Mario Kart Wii VS GTA IV review

Two of the biggest driving games of the year get ready to race

They're two of the biggest games of the year, they both feature driving. There are one or two differences between Grand Theft Auto IV and Mario Kart Wii, however. GTA IV plunges you in to the seedy underbelly of Liberty City, stealing cars and breakin' the law. In Mario Kart, the most criminal aspect is probably the terrible Italian accents. They both sum up the consoles they've been released on, they both include online multi-player modes for the first time in their respective franchises... but which is the best? Let's have a highly violent, yet madcap race to the verdict.

GTA's now in its fourth incarnation, while Mario Kart makes its Wii debut, after success on the N64 and Game Cube, but both include hotly-anticipated online modes. So, what will win? Gamers, take your places on the grid.

Death Match 1:Graphics

Mario Kart Wii

Wii only, so can't match the full HD glory of GTA, but brimming with Mario charm, it's as bright, colourful and highly-stylised as you'd expect from the latest instalment from everyone's favourite cartoon Italian.

Grand Theft Auto IV

From the wheels on the pimped out 4x4s, to the well-worn attire of Liberty City's underclass, the high-def Xbox detail is phenomenal - just like a living, breathing city. And a damn sight more enticing than a trip to Slough...

Winner: GTA

Death Match 2:Game mechanics

Mario Kart Wii

The crazy tracks, lawlessness and weaponry are far more interesting than a serious sim racer. The usual Mario characters, courses and weaponry are all present and correct and there's massive replay value as you sweat to shave mili-seconds off your car or bike race times.

Grand Theft Auto IV

Pick (steal) a car to complete multiple missions, developing the story and raising your profile in Liberty City's underworld. But the non-linear format means you can simply drive around admiring the sights, aggravating street gangs

or smashing cars up.

Winner: Draw

Death Match 3: Controls

Mario Kart Wii

Far from being a cheap add on; offering unparalled accuracy and control, Mario Kart is designed from the ground up be used with the Wii wheel. Even your granny will be drifting the hair pins of The Mushroom Kingdom with ease. Retro, Wiimote and GameCube controllers work too.

Grand Theft Auto IV

Same controls as ever, so GTA veterans will feel right at home. But this is a complex game, with equally taxing controls. With different schemes for running, driving and shooting, newcomers should spend a moment with the manual and Granny need not apply.

Winner: Mario

Death match 4: Soundtrack

Mario Kart Wii

Full of beeps, yelps and squelches, it'll bring back memories of playing your NES in the 1980s - now with stereo! Great, until your girlfriend (like your mum before her) tells you to turn it down.

Grand Theft Auto IV

GTA uses a car radio FM tuner to shoehorn in 100s of licensed tracks across many different genres. Don't fancy International Funk IF99? Then change it. There's heaps of variety, but call us cheese-meisters, but we prefer the 80s fest of Vice City.

Winner: GTA

Death match 5: Multi-player

Mario Kart Wii

Race 12 people online at once, get a couple of mates round for some in-house play, or combine both simultaneously. Fast furious racing and with tons of tracks to choose from, you'll be up for hours. Up there with Smash Bros Brawl for best Wii multiplayer to date.

Grand Theft Auto IV

Version IV is the first GTA instalment where 16 people can play online. Starting a game is a pain, because you have to wait for everyone to join, but once you're in it's a hoot, just like the single player mode with no annoying cut scenes. At heart single player still rules.

Winner: Mario Kart Wii

Death match 6: Fun factor

Mario Kart Wii

Fun levels (of the clean, family kind) hit critical here, as you tear around bends, launch weapons and knock rivals off the track. Hardly driving-test training, but the Wii Wheel brings a whole new dimension to this driving game.

Grand Theft Auto IV

GTA gives you a city pass to do whatever the hell you want. Spend hours crashing cars, picking up ladies of the night or just completing missions. Frequently dark and complex, it's a great way of letting off steam without joining the Second Life brigade.

Winner: DRAW

The verdict

0utstanding multiplayer modes make it incredibly hard to pick a winner. For graphics, music and flexibility GTA is the winner, but we love the cheekiness and kiddy fun of Mario. If you can afford it, get both.

Winner - IT'S A TIE