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 373 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. Universo Nintendo
    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: 62 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 69
  3. Negative: 4 out of 69
  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. SorinA
    Nov 2, 2009
    10
    Now I agree with all these reviews as GTA Chinatown Wars is a fantastic game. It takes everything about GTA and puts it on a handheld. The Now I agree with all these reviews as GTA Chinatown Wars is a fantastic game. It takes everything about GTA and puts it on a handheld. The only DS game that is better than this, is Chrono Trigger, which is a port from another console. Therefore China Town Wars is the BEST original game on DS… Expand
  4. JuanF.
    Mar 17, 2009
    10
    El mejor GTA que se podía hacer para DS lo han logrado. Adictivo y con muy buenos minijuegos.
  5. jotavale22
    Nov 6, 2021
    10
    Me gusto bastante el juego, tiene cosas que incluso los gta en 3D no tienen, el juego se ve bien para una NDS ademas de que las mecanicasMe gusto bastante el juego, tiene cosas que incluso los gta en 3D no tienen, el juego se ve bien para una NDS ademas de que las mecanicas estan bien pulidas, la camaea se justifica con las limitantes tecnicas de la consola pero aun asi esta bien, la variedad de armas y autos tambien esta bien, recordemos que gta nacio en 2D y esta seria una version definitiva de los gta en 2D o una comvinacion entre 3D y 2D… Expand
  6. DavidS
    Apr 1, 2009
    9
    The best game on the DS in it's genre, GTA Chinatown Wars takes the DS's functionality to a whole new level, introducing innovative The best game on the DS in it's genre, GTA Chinatown Wars takes the DS's functionality to a whole new level, introducing innovative mini-games, map and trade functionality, robust multiplayer options, and an incredible 10-15 hour single player experience. This game never has you constantly switching between the touchscreen and just regular gameplay, but there's a mini-game for everything, even kicking out the windshield of a car to escape when underwater. The only gripe I have is with the overly generic characters - they just try too hard to be either funny or serious, and the player can't really tell the difference at a point with the constant change of pace. However, the resolution in the story is quite nice, and this aspect of the game does little to ruin the overall experience. In all, an engaging experience that will hold you for at least 20 hours. The level of immersion is unlike almost any game on the platform, and is a must buy for those looking for a breath of fresh air on the DS.… Expand
  7. LuisAntonio
    Apr 14, 2019
    9
    One of the best DS games, but I have to admit that many nintendo gamers don`t appreciate it. This game has a lot of fun. It is easy to play,One of the best DS games, but I have to admit that many nintendo gamers don`t appreciate it. This game has a lot of fun. It is easy to play, but if you want to master it, then you have to make a lot of effort . The graphics are fine, but the game play is excellent. The music could have been better.… Expand
  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 69 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