Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

VideoGamer

My favourite handheld game of all time. It's funny, it's full of great ideas, and above all else it's wickedly fun. Whether you're a GTA veteran or someone who's never played one of these games before, you should know that this is one of the best games available for your PSP - or, indeed, for your DS. To miss it would be criminal.

Play Magazine

If you missed this one the first time out (for shame!), here's your chance to play the definitive version of not just the year's best portable offering, but one of the year's most engaging titles offered on any platform. It's a living, breathing Liberty City in the palm of your hand.

GameShark

Whether you prefer two smaller screens or one bigger one, analog stick or d-pad, DS or PSP, you can't go wrong with Chinatown Wars.

Cynamite

GTA Chinatown Wars delivers on PSP! Liberty City is always a lot of fun.

Gaming Nexus

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars shines bright on Sony's handheld, bringing everything that made the original so much fun with it.

Giant Bomb

The technical aspects of Chinatown Wars were impressive on the DS, and the PSP version looks quite a bit sharper and cleaner than the original release.

Thunderbolt

It may not rock the boat as much as it did on DS, but Chinatown Wars is still one of the finest examples of handheld action on the market.

Digital Chumps

The PSP incarnation is fantastic translation; it retains all of the originals strengths, augments the entire package with its added technical muscle, and compromises only with a negligible handful of minor squabbles.

Playstation Universe

The best ever handheld iteration in the GTA series to date. China Town Wars is a quality production from start to finish.

Games Master UK

So good it's criminal. [Dec 2009, p.87]

ZTGameDomain

Amazingly Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars outshines every other portable version of the series, and even some of the console offerings. This game is absolutely one of the most diverse and feature-rich games on the PSP, or any other system for that matter.

GameZone

An utterly brilliant and addictive gem. With amazing missions, a great story and plenty to do in the city, this game is just non-stop fun from start to finish. Forget the DS; this game truly shines on the PSP.

GameSpot

The PSP version of this fantastic GTA game is even better than the DS original.

Gamervision

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is essentially an improved version of the DS release with a few new side missions, a couple of new characters, and a completely overhauled graphics engine. Despite the fact that the game was built specifically for the DS, porting it to Sony’s less popular, but more powerful handheld has actually improved its playability.

Play UK

Bar some combat control issues, GTA: Chinatown Wars has perfectly translated to the PSP and is a must-have game. [Issue#185, p.68]

WonderwallWeb

Though an update of the DS version, GTA Chinatown Wars is a great game that grabs you from the first minutes play and won't let go. Another must have title from Rockstar.

GameFocus

If you already have played the DS version to death, getting the PSP version may not be a good idea since it’s basically the same game only with a few but noticeable improvements. Now, if you haven’t bought or played the DS version, there’s no way you can pass on what is being offered here. GTA Chinatown Wars for the PSP is a great game that deserves your attention and a place in your collection.

Cheat Code Central

Overall, CW for the PSP is a slightly better version of the game than the DS original. Although the mini-games do feel a little out of place without touch-screen controls, everything else is just as good if not better than it was on the DS.

Game Informer

Regardless of the game’s mechanical simplicity, Rockstar has created an addictive, bite-sized serving of its patented “breaking the law” gameplay. Chinatown Wars jams an entire metropolis in your handheld that’s just begging to be exploited.

IGN

Chinatown Wars is outstanding. The story is great, the game itself is a blast, running drugs is a welcome addition, the new cop takedowns are cool, and there’s so much to do.

HellBored

If you haven't done so already, get stuck into this, because it has depth, fun, excitement, and longevity. If you were to pick between formats, maybe the touch screen would swing you in the DS direction, but the improvements made on the whole for the PSP cannot be ignored, and the PSP version stands out for all the right reasons.

Extreme Gamer

The PSP version of Chinatown Wars is easier to play, more precise, and visually more outstanding than the Nintendo DS version.

AtomicGamer

The huge variety of missions, solid story, and great visuals and details make up what I think is the best portable Grand Theft Auto yet.

Gaming Age

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for the PSP is certainly another quality entry in the series, and it was nice to see Rockstar attempt a throwback-style of game. With a more arcade-like feel, many hours of addictive gameplay, and a structure well suited to portable gaming, it's absolutely worthy of checking out.

GamingXP

Welcome in Liberty City, this title is a must-have for everyone who ever caught himself playing any Grand Theft Auto and enjoying it. No big weak points, a tremendous storyline, immersive depth and limitless options – go get it!

1UP

As a PSP game, it's still a well-done portable GTA; not necessarily a better one than before. But that's fine; it's still worth playing Chinatown Wars for those bite-size bits of the GTA formula, and if you're still warm to it, then definitely give it a go.

GamePro

An absolute blast from start to finish with plenty of trademark Liberty City locales ripe for exploration, not to mention a cast of incredibly memory characters (Chan Jaoming, I hardly knew ya.) If you're looking for a good action adventure experience that harkens back to the more cartoony Grand Theft Auto days, then Chinatown Wars is certainly worth the investment.

Eurogamer

Between the clever mission design, comedy storyline and imaginative drug-dealing angle, it represents many hours of play, all of which live up to its legacy.

Games Radar (in-house)

There are just enough new ideas to lure those in who’ve never cared, and just enough left alone to keep the fans happy. Pity all of the DS-minded bits drag the finished product down a notch.

Gamer.nl

Rockstar has made only one mistake: keeping the minigames of the DS version. Without the stylus-support they aren’t nearly as fun. But the game is still a classic after half a year of waiting and the graphics and sound have improved a lot. A lovely distraction to the GTA-games on consoles.

TheSixthAxis

More PSP exclusive content would have sealed the deal, but as it stands this is wonderful stuff.

BigPond GameArena

People with both a DS and a PSP will probably want to get the game on the DS - it's the better version of the game. If you're a PSP loyalist though, Chinatown Wars definitely rates as a must have on your handheld of choice.

Pocket Gamer UK

Every trick this celebrated developer has learnt – from crafting a solid plot laced with dark humour to reckless driving and action-packed criminal endeavour – has been distilled into a game that demands your immediate attention.

Eurogamer Italy

Although Rockstar Leeds could have probably pushed the quality of this porting a bit further, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars proves to be an excellent game, capable of entertaining throughout the adventure. A real must buy for any PSP owner.

GameDaily

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars has problems, but we're still giving it a hefty thumbs up. The brutal nature of the series remains intact, the new top-down perspective rocks on PSP and there's plenty to do, both on your own and with a friend. Unless the violence offends you, it's a must have game.

SpazioGames

Expect that, if you missed the original release due to the lack of consoles on which it worked, now you have no more excuses: Huang Lee and Liberty City are waiting for you!

Play.tm

The downside to all these positives is that the mini-games, so enjoyable on the DS touch screen, become little more than button tapping affairs here losing most of their charm in the process.

Everyeye.it

A perfect porting of one of the greatest portable games of this year.

Playstation Official Magazine UK

Accessibly strategic and addictive. [Dec 2009, p.108]

Kombo

GTA fans that might not have been satisfied with past iterations of the franchise on handhelds may want to give Chinatown Wars a closer look because the experience translates very well here.

Gamestyle

There is no doubt that Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is a must-buy for any PSP owner, and is a very welcome port.

Gamer Limit

Once again, GTA proves that it is not affected by small stature - Chinatown Wars is the definitive handheld GTA experience that is further enhanced by the PSP's vastly superior presentation.

Playstation Official Magazine Australia

Compared to GTAIV’s paint-by-numbers mission design, the average job in Chinatown Wars is more of a left-field, mayhem-filled shenanigan. This even extends to the wanted system; Huang doesn’t skulk away and hide from the heat like Nico – he prefers to utterly destroy pursuing cop cars in a crazy Blues Brothers-esque escape. [Christmas 2009, p.78]

LEVEL (Czech Republic)

Superb game from GTA series comes to PSP and shines just like its DS cousin – makes Chinatown Wars one of the best handheld games these days. [Dec 2009]

Level7.nu

Don’t get scared off by the simple graphics. This is a brilliant game. The news from the DS version is few but it feels as a full sized GTA game. The story, the car chases, the missions and the characters are all there to make it yet another brilliant chapter in the GTA saga.

Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)

Questionable controls aside, Chinatown Wars is a beautiful blend of the modern 3D games with the pick-up-and-play appeal of the '90s original. [Holiday 2009, p.70]

InsideGamer.nl

Rockstar has given all, to deliver the complete experience of Chinatown Wars on the PSP and succeeded to do that. The game looks great and the extra missions are bringing more variation to the game. The story has less dept then other GTA-games en that is being hided well by the humour in the game. The minigames don’t come to there right without the touchscreen, but that doesn’t matter. Chinatown Wars is still a great game, which keeps you busy for a long time.

Gameplanet

Rockstar's epic franchise gets another round on the PSP, arguably the portable platform it was best suited for in the first place. There are a number of enhancements over the DS release, but it's not all good news as some of the minigames have been lost in translation. Overall though, a stand-out title filled with the type of quality you've come to expect from Rockstar.

Kikizo

However, the PSP’s traditional but less constricted control setup and higher storage threshold lead to a more playable, content-rich experience than either the DS or (in all probability) the App Store release.

Multiplayer.it

Chinatown Wars on PSP doesn't push the hardware like it did on the DS, and the presence of two GTA's episodes with the "real" 3d graphics will probably left some users slightly disappointed. But overall, this is the best version of the game; a great game, by the way.

Impulsegamer

Chinatown Wars will certainly keep you busy for a long time. The story is interesting and involving, and the gameplay is fun and diverse.

Gamers' Temple

You'll still find mayhem for mayhem's sake in this title, but for the first (second if you count the DS version) time, the GTA series has delivered more than just hooker target practice; there's a great game here as well.

PSX Extreme

I sincerely hope that Rockstar decides to do an HD release of this for the PS3, as a downloadable game, it's surely be a treat. But this is a superb handheld game, a definite must own.

Game Chronicles

I absolutely hated the game at first, but after three missions I was definitely feeling the love. This is the perfect example of not judging a book by its cover.

PSFocus

A fine PSP game on the PSP. The minigames were better on the Nintendo DS, but the PSP version is graphically better than the Nintendo DS version. Buy this part if you don’t own a Nintendo DS. Do you have a Nintendo DS? Buy the Nintendo DS version.

PSM3 Magazine UK

Substantial, hilarious and huge. Sadly, this port feels hamstrung next to the DS version. [Dec 2009, p.88]

3DJuegos

Chinatown Wars is a game that feels new and fresh, even though it's no better and not much different than the DS version. It's a big Liberty City experience in the palm of your hand.

Computer and Video Games

Chinatown Wars on PSP was always going to be a port job, and though it soils some of DS original's intuitive mini-games it maintains the inventive, thoroughly entertaining and built-for-handheld mission structure of the original - and that's what we loved most in the first place.

PALGN

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars on the PSP may be no better and not much different than the DS version, but it's definitely worth a shot for any GTA fan who hasn't played it yet.

Meristation

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars finally burst onto PSP. The highly acclaimed DS game now offers better aspect than ever, with improved graphics and additional content. Unfortunately, the sound section practically remains identical to the original version. An essential game, ideal companion of GTA: Liberty & Vice City Stories.

Vandal Online

Although the game could have been further improved, because PSP is a more powerful machine, it retains the excellent gameplay and narrative of the original.

NZGamer

Got a PSP? Awesome! Strike now. This is well worth your time and money. You won't be disappointed. Got both? Get the DS version. Better graphics don't trump the touchscreen.

GamesNation

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars PSP has passed the test: the conversion from the excellent DS version to the less versatile Sony portable went smoothly. The loss of interaction given by the touchscreen was compensated by a clever use of combined commands, and by the addition of new, exclusive missions.

Worth Playing

Chinatown Wars on the PSP is definitely worth picking up.

Game Revolution

Chinatown Wars is a big package, and Liberty City’s pants are bursting at the seams.

Boomtown

There are plenty of flaws and rough edges here but at the end of the day it retains the same feel that has made GTA such a success and it offers many hours of engaging gameplay.

9Lives

Chinatown Wars will never go down in history as a 'big' GTA-title, but nevertheless, it deserves a place in your PSP collection. It's a GTA with its own character and its own pair of balls. Besides, during these dark ages for PSP gaming, there aren't a lot of PSP games that win our hearts.

Video Game Talk

Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars is the biggest and most ambitious handheld GTA game ever, and the production values really show in the PSP port, with its vastly improved graphics and audio.

Total Video Games

Although the PSP port suffers from the fact that Chinatown Wars was undoubtedly designed around the DS, the major qualities still remain and make for a GTA that is considerably different but nonetheless entertaining.

Modojo

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars has problems, but we're still giving it a hefty thumbs up.

Teletext GameCentral

The DS is the definitive version but this still does some things better than the home consoles GTAs.

Eurogamer Spain

More of the same, but when a game is as great as Grand Theft Auto novelty is something that doesn't matter.

Armchair Empire

With a visual downgrade and a quieter audio track, there is definitely something lost in the translation, and with Liberty City and Vice City Stories performing much more adequately, this PSP port may not have enough weight to keep it from drowning in obscurity.