GTA Chinatown Wars DS

So...this should be out on March 17th? Is anyone going to pick this up?


There really hasn't been a lot of info about the game and the videos have been pretty limited. I am going to grab it but I don't expect it to compete with what the PSP was able to do with the series.

It sounds like there are some pretty good offline/online multiplayer modes as well, so that could be fun.

I'm failing to see the point. I love portable games, but this seems like an inferrior verison of what is already on the PSP and console systems. Portable games should be unique rather than try to emulate already made games for the consoles.

Maybe if there were less GTA games out there, but as it stands, there is more than enough already for my tatses.

By all means, show me what I'm missing.

Mad Mage said:

I'm failing to see the point. I love portable games, but this seems like an inferrior verison of what is already on the PSP and console systems. Portable games should be unique rather than try to emulate already made games for the consoles.

Maybe if there were less GTA games out there, but as it stands, there is more than enough already for my tatses.

By all means, show me what I'm missing.

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I doubt you are missing anything. I thought the two GTA games for the PSP were pretty good and from what I read, it sounds like this is the same team that made those games.

After reading some interviews it sounds like the DS game has a pretty big scope and a lot to offer in terms of game play and length. Since it was built ground up for the DS, I am hoping that they are able to take advantage of the DS and from a couple of videos I have watched, they were.

I think it is good to see a GTA game hit the DS, since it is pretty clear that the Wii is not going to get one.

I think I have played all of the GTA games, including the portable versions, so it shouldn't be that hard to see where the DS fits in (quality wise) after I give it a try.

GTAIV is the only GTA I have positive feelings for.

With that said, I saw videos of this the other day and thought it was technically quite impressive for a DS title.

I am interested in this even though I can't stand the DS but I really might pick this up since so far I like what I see and I've generally liked the GTA games.

I do wonder if the PSP will ever get a San Andreas counterpart though

I got stuck looking at an advertisement for it, and the videos of it looked pretty cool.
I'm not a gta fan by any means at all, but I wouldn't mind trying it out.

I haven't even played much of IV yet..

Then again, I could never beat any of these games, even with cheats. I blame timed missions.

Playing it right now via my M4 cart.

It's very reminiscent of GTA3, except you're a Chinese dude. The physics are a little looser than the other GTA games, I was flipping other cars like crazy and I wasn't even going all that fast at the time of impact.

The game uses the stylus for interesting things like breaking window glass (by repeated tapping) to escape a submerged car, or using the stylus in a circular motion to turn a screwdriver and hotwire a car.

Damn, just read some reviews on this, sounds incredible. Going to have to pick this up on Friday along with Valkyrie Profile.

jro said:

Damn, just read some reviews on this, sounds incredible. Going to have to pick this up on Friday along with Valkyrie Profile.

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GTA already has eight reviews and all are above 9/10. I am grabbing my copy tomorrow. There have been a bunch of great DS games lately, so I am not sure I can find the time for Valkyrie Profile but I would like to.

Let us know how it is --I'm a big fan of the series...

Bobak said:

Let us know how it is --I'm a big fan of the series...

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Well, I have only put a couple hours into this but I have to agree with the reviews out there, Chinatown Wars is a fantastic DS game. I am not a huge GTA fan but I have played most if not all of them. I enjoyed the PSP versions but they felt a lot like the console versions (which is good). GTA Chinatown Wars has the GTA feel to it but it feels different enough to add some excitement to the series.

The game looks really good, the movies don't really show just how detailed everything is and how fluid the game moves. The streets are packed with cars and people to the point where it almost seems like they over did it but it gives the city a feeling of being alive.

I have heard of few knocks on the story but I am finding it to be interesting and I really like the way the game starts off. You quickly get put through how the game works and some of the ways you will use the stylus. Driving, punching, running ect. is all done with the dpad and the buttons. However, other activities, such as breaking windows, hot wiring a car and PDA use are done with the stylus. The PDA feature works great and makes a lot of sense for this game. To set a marker, you just double click on the map and the line comes up where you need to go. (for example)

I bought this copy but I am renting another copy so that I can try out the multiplayer this weekend. There are a bunch of local two player modes that I want to try out.

I am really impressed with this game so far, so if you have a DS and are a fan of GTA, I highly suggest you look into it.

Ditto, I picked this up with Phantasy Star Portable and I've spent more time on this one more, the things you do with the stylus is nice as mentioned before since it's nice to see Rockstar put to use the hotwire idea they mentioned for GTA IV but never happened.

Trey Burnout said:

Ditto, I picked this up with Phantasy Star Portable and I've spent more time on this one more, the things you do with the stylus is nice as mentioned before since it's nice to see Rockstar put to use the hotwire idea they mentioned for GTA IV but never happened.

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It is a really good game, I am surprised that more people around here have not at least rented it. I also rented a copy to try out the multiplayer and that is a blast. There are a number of really good multiplayer modes for two players. (local only)

Even though the overall graphics ect. are not as good as the PSP games, I actually prefer the DS version because it feels like a new game in the series. Rockstar really did a nice job with this and the use of the stylus is well done, not forced.

About 15 percent in, and let me tell you. Great game through and through.

Great use of the stylus.

Grimy dialogue.

Decent cut scenes with character.

Flows smooth enough

Your place of residence seems to fill out as you accomplish things.

The only thing that I am not so sure that I like about it, is the fact that drug dealing can be way more profitable then doing the missions. But since I am only about 15 percent in, maybe ill be spending the money later on some nice things.

Pick this up, totally worth the cash.

dammit, well... I'm sold then... too many games these days...

Bobak said:

dammit, well... I'm sold then... too many games these days...

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It is really bad if you own multiple systems. The DS alone (in March) has had what most systems are lucky to get for a holiday releases. I can't believe how many quality DS games have come out within weeks of each other and most have received excellent scores. If it wasn't for Gamefly, there is no way I would be able to keep up.

That being said, I have at least rented most of the newer games and GTA is probably my favorite. GTA Chinatown Wars is just a really fresh take on the series and it works great on the DS.

i have to agree with everyone else here, its a great game, im at about 41% and im loving the game so far, if your a fan of gta check it out. also i love the drug trading in the game its so addicting and so are the scratch tickets you can buy lol( i spend probably just buying and scratching away lol)

Gameoz said:

It is really bad if you own multiple systems. The DS alone (in March) has had what most systems are lucky to get for a holiday releases. I can't believe how many quality DS games have come out within weeks of each other and most have received excellent scores.

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No kidding, I just noticed GameSpot gave it 9.5... not a number they just throw around.

this game gets nearly perfect scores all around, will be getting it after I'm done with RE5, Killzone 2(expert) and DQIV.
minigames/featurettes seem really cool.

sliceypete said:

i also i love the drug trading in the game its so addicting and so are the scratch tickets you can buy lol( i spend probably just buying and scratching away lol)

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i'm kind of surprised there hasn't been any complaints about the drug trading in this game. not that i personally give a shit, but it's the kind of thing you'd expect the media would have a field day with.

sure, there's been killings and loads of videogame violence before. but not a lot of drug dealing.

+ it's a ds game

soundnvision said:

i'm kind of surprised there hasn't been any complaints about the drug trading in this game. not that i personally give a shit, but it's the kind of thing you'd expect the media would have a field day with.

sure, there's been killings and loads of videogame violence before. but not a lot of drug dealing.

+ it's a ds game

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I think people have given up on challenging Rockstar.

I assumed this game was gonna be a cash-in on the name, since there was so little info on it before its release.

But hearing you guys talk about it, not to mention the glowing reviews... Sounds like a no brainer.

Between this, DQV, and Retro Game Challenge, there are indeed some good DS games coming out now. Damn.

Good thing I beat DQIV the other day.

I picked this up (along with Peggle: Dual Shot) yesterday and played it for just a few minutes. It definitely feels like GTA 2.5, with its almost top-down perspective, it feels just like the pre-3D GTAs (that's a good thing). What shocked me straight away is that the controls are actually better than in GTA IV, especially the vehicle controls.

I can't wait to play more tonight.

Well, the game was referenced in last night's South Park.