Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

 DS
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars Image
Metascore
93

Universal acclaim - based on 85 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 338 Ratings

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  • Summary: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an entirely original entry into the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series, and brings a new level of interactivity to its sprawling open environments. With the use of the DS touch screen, players navigate their way through the streets as theyGrand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is an entirely original entry into the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series, and brings a new level of interactivity to its sprawling open environments. With the use of the DS touch screen, players navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 85 out of 85
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 85
  3. Negative: 0 out of 85
  1. GameDaily
    100
    Whether you get end up drug dealing, causing mayhem, taxiing city passengers around or simply completing the missions, it's likely that your only moment of disappointment will come when you realize how dangerously close you are to finishing the game -- at which point you should note that there are an additional set of missions to be unlocked by tracking down two (very well) hidden Golden Lions after the main storyline ends.
  2. Giant Bomb
    100
    The developers at Rockstar Leeds were very smart about which elements of GTA to carry over and which would just drag the final product down. The end result is a game that feels new and fresh, even though it largely relies on the concepts forged in GTA's past.
  3. Switch Brasil
    99
    No DS owner should be without a copy. And if some moron comes complaining about violence, I'll give violence to him myself! The remaining point is an incentive for Rockstar to keep doing their excellent job, because many other perfect games are sure to come.
  4. Play.tm
    93
    It says something about the virtues of Chinatown Wars that the only thing possibly denying it the perfect GTA status is the soundtrack. The mini-games are plentiful but never outstay their welcome, the slick presentation pushes the boundaries of the DS, and the range of content creates an extensive but wonderfully accessible game. It's phenomenal, a game that I keep dipping into whenever the possibility arrives, and a desperately needed addition to the DS's library.
  5. Gaming Nexus
    91
    The game does suffer from too many touch screen mini-games and a slightly outdated look, but those problems are easy to overlook when the product turns out to be this good!
  6. Metro GameCentral
    90
    A startlingly well realised iteration of GTA that even does some things better than the home consoles.
  7. Video Game Talk
    80
    It's still Grand Theft Auto when it's all said and done, and most gamers who can't soak into the series won't find a different enough experience to sell them otherwise.

See all 85 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 58
  3. Negative: 3 out of 58
  1. AndrewE
    Dec 18, 2009
    10
    Simply, one of the best games on DS. Unique gameplay, stunning visuals and good old gta-like style - you gotta have it.
  2. DavidS
    Mar 23, 2009
    10
    I absolutely love this game. Far more addictive than the console version, the drug-dealer sections may sound offensive but are full ofI absolutely love this game. Far more addictive than the console version, the drug-dealer sections may sound offensive but are full of surprises and actually take quite an intellect to work out. The touch-screen is utilised to the full. This is the best DS game ever and the replay value is incredible.… Expand
  4. JamesD
    Jan 6, 2010
    10
    I could critisize Chinatown Wars for an awful lot of inconsistant things but at its core GTA CW is a fantastic GTA experience. Although there I could critisize Chinatown Wars for an awful lot of inconsistant things but at its core GTA CW is a fantastic GTA experience. Although there are no cutscenes, no DJ or vocals on radio stations, the music has the GTA style which complements the brilliant art style. For a DS game this is a top heavy hitter.… Expand
  5. JeffA
    Mar 30, 2009
    9
    While the game has been tailored to the system it has not been
  6. storygamer
    Sep 1, 2020
    9
    Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is probably the best game on the DS. Rockstar created a perfectly balanced game with perfect use of the twoGrand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is probably the best game on the DS. Rockstar created a perfectly balanced game with perfect use of the two screens of the DS. The gameplay is arcady and the story and graphics are stunning. Incredibly intense experience!… Expand
  7. starmario123
    Apr 27, 2011
    9
    9.5/10 = The best handheld GTA experi . . . never mind, this IS one of the best GTA experiences on any system.
  8. CarlB
    Mar 31, 2009
    0
    OK ther r many reason this game is bad the artificel inteligance in very bad the camera is verybad and gameplay is bad why deal drugs that OK ther r many reason this game is bad the artificel inteligance in very bad the camera is verybad and gameplay is bad why deal drugs that stupid loopk see this game is just watered down grand theft auto strait from th begining u can tel the cutscene is very poor just crap music and horibly loking heads wen they tolk its cash cow gaim basicly drug dealing agen y do that to get mony thats wrong but u hav to do it to get muny and the combat is veryu bad look see firt u hav to lok on to enemuy and then ui hav to shot them but u alweys lok onto civilan or somthing its borked and then u hav the camera which can go eat shet it nevtr folows u always goes randum places at lest they include butoin that make u adjust camera only decent thing is driving cuz u can actualy ster unlike gta4 where the cars handld as if some morbidly obese twins were using it as a tramolene wen u wer drivign but ion all this game is bad its broken and der was a time wen i was playing wer the ds shut off and wuldnt turn on it ruins ur ds and is a pece of shety dont not nbuy this game u will regret it wat did i told u… Expand

See all 58 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best DS Game of 2009
5
#5 Most Discussed DS Game of 2009
2
#2 Most Shared DS Game of 2009