Official Review Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is a unique entry in the acclaimed GTA series, originally released for the Nintendo DS in 2009 and later ported to various platforms. Developed by Rockstar Leeds in conjunction with Rockstar North, this game brings the signature GTA experience to handheld devices while introducing innovative gameplay elements.


Set in Liberty City, the game follows Huang Lee, a young Triad member who becomes embroiled in a dangerous world of crime and corruption. The narrative, while not as expansive as its console counterparts, is engaging and well-paced, offering a mature and gritty storyline that stays true to the GTA franchise.

Key Points:

• Compelling protagonist in Huang Lee
• Well-written dialogue and character interactions
• Shorter but focused main story compared to other GTA titles

Chinatown Wars brilliantly adapts the GTA formula for handheld play, offering a top-down perspective reminiscent of the series' earlier titles while incorporating modern gameplay mechanics.

Notable Features:

1. Touch Screen Minigames: Innovative use of the DS touch screen for activities like hot-wiring cars and assembling weapons.
2. Drug Dealing Mechanic: A controversial but deep economic system that adds depth to the gameplay.
3. Wanted Level System: Redesigned to fit the handheld format, offering intense police chases.
4. Diverse Missions: A good mix of story missions, side activities, and random encounters.

Despite hardware limitations, Chinatown Wars impresses with its visual presentation:

• Cel-shaded art style that gives the game a unique, comic book-like appearance
• Detailed environments that capture the essence of Liberty City
• Smooth performance, especially considering the open-world nature of the game

The audio, while not fully voiced, features a great soundtrack and typical GTA-style radio stations.


Chinatown Wars stands out for its successful adaptation of the GTA formula to handheld devices:

• Streamlined gameplay suitable for shorter play sessions
• Clever use of handheld-specific features (e.g., touch screen, local multiplayer)
• PDA interface for managing missions, emails, and game progress

The game offers substantial content and replay value:

• Numerous side missions and activities
• Hidden packages and unique stunt jumps to discover
• Addictive drug-dealing minigame that extends playtime

While largely praised, some aspects of the game faced criticism:

• Shorter main story compared to console GTA titles
• Less immersive world due to hardware limitations
• Controversial themes, particularly the drug-dealing mechanic

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is a remarkable achievement in handheld gaming. It successfully translates the core GTA experience to a portable format while introducing innovative features that complement the hardware. Despite some limitations, it offers a deep, engaging, and uniquely tailored GTA experience that stands as one of the best entries in the series on handheld devices.

Final Rating: 9/10

Chinatown Wars proves that with creative design and thoughtful adaptation, even complex, open-world experiences can thrive on handheld platforms. It's a must-play for fans of the series and handheld gaming enthusiasts alike.