Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

 PSP
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 244 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 156 out of 244
  2. Mixed: 50 out of 244
  3. Negative: 38 out of 244
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  1. StephenS.
    Oct 22, 2009
    10
    At first I was a little skeptical about whether or not i shuld get this game. I couldn't imagine gta with a top down view and there was so much that could go wrong. I am happy to say that all of my fears were unfounded and am thoroughly enjoying this game. I like this game so much that i think that this is the way to go with the portable series of gta from now on. This game really At first I was a little skeptical about whether or not i shuld get this game. I couldn't imagine gta with a top down view and there was so much that could go wrong. I am happy to say that all of my fears were unfounded and am thoroughly enjoying this game. I like this game so much that i think that this is the way to go with the portable series of gta from now on. This game really gave the series the fresh breath it needed. Great game and I recommend this to anyone looking for another great psp game to add to their library.… Expand
  2. BoltzmannBaby
    Mar 9, 2012
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is the kind of game that you really have to play to get into it's atmosphere. Apart from the perspective, it has as much content as any other modern GTA, and even more than the other two PSP titles. I guess people that complain about the viewing perspective of the game and the toned down, cartoonish graphics have no idea where GTA is coming from.… Expand
  3. MutiG
    Oct 30, 2009
    6
    This game must be phenomenal on the DS. It may even be a breakthrough game. This is NOT the case on the PSP. There have already been two GTAs on the PSP, and they both trump Chinatown Wars in every way. The graphics are a HUGE backstep, and there are NO VOICE OVERS! The gameplay has been dumbed down, and the characters are candy coated and pg-13. I am not sure where all this positive This game must be phenomenal on the DS. It may even be a breakthrough game. This is NOT the case on the PSP. There have already been two GTAs on the PSP, and they both trump Chinatown Wars in every way. The graphics are a HUGE backstep, and there are NO VOICE OVERS! The gameplay has been dumbed down, and the characters are candy coated and pg-13. I am not sure where all this positive attention is coming from, but I can tell you one thing, the cheers originate from DS owners, and we are simply hearing echoes on the PSP. I am not saying Chinatown wars is a bad game, it is just not NEARLY as good as either of the other two offerings on the PSP. Congratulations DS, you finally have one in your stable. PSP owners, keep your expectations low.… Expand
  4. tahsins
    Dec 3, 2009
    10
    If you didn't play it on ds, then this is a must buy. but I've played and finished the ds version, and when playing this one I got bored, since there isn't much change in gameplay. but psp version is the one to go since graphics and animations are way better than ds plus the bigger screen.
  5. CruzU
    Oct 20, 2009
    10
    Great game..! And also very, very fun... Once you see Grand Theft Auto on any title, you will know it will be a very fun experience. No GTA title disappoints, well, maybe GTA IV, because it was such a downgrade with the limited space they had to work with... But it was still a very good experience. Clearly one of the best games on the PSP to date.
  6. Dr.Ghettoblaster
    Oct 21, 2009
    8
    First off, big improvement over DS version. Only thing missing is stylus controls on mini-games - so this version uses buttons. Big deal. Everything else is an upgrade and plays/looks fantastic. Very impressive. It's like playing GTA3/4 from top down view.
  7. NathanE.
    Jan 15, 2010
    9
    Chinatown Wars is without a doubt one of the best PSP games I've ever played. Anyone saying the gameplay isn't as immersive as other GTA games didn't give this one enough time. At first I wasn't a fan of going back to the top down look, even though this time around the cars and cities are rendered in 3D. It took me a while to get used to, but once I did, I was hooked. Chinatown Wars is without a doubt one of the best PSP games I've ever played. Anyone saying the gameplay isn't as immersive as other GTA games didn't give this one enough time. At first I wasn't a fan of going back to the top down look, even though this time around the cars and cities are rendered in 3D. It took me a while to get used to, but once I did, I was hooked. It has some of the funnest missions I've played in any GTA game. It's obvious the game was designed with handhelds in mind. This time around in the GTA universe, you don't have to show up at a contact point at a specific in game time, meaning if there's a mission available on your radar, you won't have any down time before you decide to tackle it. A huge improvement on the whole series, even though I only expect it to stick around for the handheld games. The story isn't anything astounding. It offers plenty of plot twists, but only a few of them actually caught me off guard. The ending is also incredibly weak. It's a great thing the gameplay can make up for this. Alongside the story missions available, there are plenty of things to do in this slightly scaled down Liberty City. You can do all of the normal GTA side missions, such as taxi fares and taking down criminals in your stolen cop car, but this time around you can be a tattoo artist, sell and buy drugs with a very well implemented trade system, or opt to destroy all of the hidden cameras located on top of buildings or other structures scattered around the city. Chinatown Wars may not be the best GTA around, but it's certainly the best handheld.… Expand
  8. GreenSkullRider
    Feb 25, 2017
    9
    Si se tuvo la oportunidad de juegar la version de Nintendo DS. recomiendo que vuelvan a rejugar esta aventura. mejores graficos, mejor soundtrack, detalles aca y alla. Esta aventura bebe mucha de la influencia de los 2 primeros GTA. vista isometrica pero totalmente en 3D. cultura y desaventuras chinas por todos lados. aunque no lo crean este juego es parte de la historia actual delSi se tuvo la oportunidad de juegar la version de Nintendo DS. recomiendo que vuelvan a rejugar esta aventura. mejores graficos, mejor soundtrack, detalles aca y alla. Esta aventura bebe mucha de la influencia de los 2 primeros GTA. vista isometrica pero totalmente en 3D. cultura y desaventuras chinas por todos lados. aunque no lo crean este juego es parte de la historia actual del universo grand theft auto (el llamado universo HD). muy recomendado.… Expand
  9. Wormoid
    Sep 9, 2011
    7
    Take-Two have obviously payed for reviews. The game is well structured, and is fun quite a lot, but it's not amazing. I would recommend you buy it, but don't expect something amazing.
  10. SteveP
    Dec 13, 2009
    10
    My actual vote would be closer to 6, but I guess I need to offset Federico, who clearly didn't actually play the game but gets to give it a score anyway. Chinatown Wars is a graphically huge step back to GTA2, with very little of the humor prevalent in the past several GTA games. As someone else mentioned, this GTA probably pushes the DS to its limits, but I expect more than a My actual vote would be closer to 6, but I guess I need to offset Federico, who clearly didn't actually play the game but gets to give it a score anyway. Chinatown Wars is a graphically huge step back to GTA2, with very little of the humor prevalent in the past several GTA games. As someone else mentioned, this GTA probably pushes the DS to its limits, but I expect more than a straight port for the PSP.… Expand
  11. Annoymous1
    Jan 1, 2013
    10
    Chinatown really packs a punch and makes GTA III look Old fashioned. The cutscenes are Retro style and the story is excellent. A worthy game indeed and really should have an award for best agme on PSP.
  12. ccrogers15
    Nov 15, 2011
    2
    this is not gta. its a crap game. Are we in the PSone era? No where in the PS3 era. Do not make a crap game like this again rockstar. I took it back and lied and said it was broken and got my money back!
  13. CicatrixNors
    Oct 18, 2013
    0
    Awful.
    This is why GTA should never try another formula like Overhead
    Action is bad, controls are awful, and impossible to shoot anything.
    A waste of money, stay away
  14. FedericoAa
    Nov 4, 2009
    1
    I absolutely do not understand how a game about being a scoundrel, robbing cars, dealing drugs, beating people up, and sabotaging order can get such a high score from professional reviewers. It truly saddens me to see how society favours this instead of banning it. But I guess that's human nature is simple, you give them evil as a choice, and they take it. No wonder the world is coming down.
  15. trixw
    Dec 28, 2009
    6
    Didn't like the music, the gameplay is less immersive than the other GTA games, weak story...not a 10.
  16. JacobHellflames
    Jun 1, 2015
    0
    Bought this game on a blind hunch. Worst hunch ever. Possibly the most bland, tacky, uninteresting and boring GTA game ever. They completely wasted their time putting in all the rampages, unique stunts and extra missions because I'm never going to play them. Not only that, but the controls are extremely annoying and inconvenient and the game does not always let you do what you want to do.Bought this game on a blind hunch. Worst hunch ever. Possibly the most bland, tacky, uninteresting and boring GTA game ever. They completely wasted their time putting in all the rampages, unique stunts and extra missions because I'm never going to play them. Not only that, but the controls are extremely annoying and inconvenient and the game does not always let you do what you want to do. It seems like absolutely no effort was put into making this an immersive or even relevant game, no decent dialogue scenes or voice actors, just cut out art scenes with text. Games like GTA III completely own this game despite being it released about 8 years earlier. This is a pathetic excuse for a GTA game, and possibly the worst game to waste money on. Don't waste your time with this. Rockstar put zero effort into making this good and you should not put any effort into playing or buying this. Ignore the critics reviewing this as they have almost certainly been paid to write positive lies about this abhorrent piece of garbage. Avoid.… Expand
  17. Kross466
    Dec 19, 2018
    5
    Chinatown Wars is a awesome game, but the best version is the DS version, the PSP version didn't innovate.
  18. PimpieB
    Oct 23, 2009
    10
    Finally, another GTA for the PSP and it doesn't disappoint. For all the GTA - PSP fans, this one is a must have.
  19. DrDrew
    Jan 12, 2010
    9
    I like the return to top down while retaining lots of modern GTA features. Looks great on PSP. Also to Federico Aa, despite your moral objections, the game is fun. Go play "Hello Kitty Island Adventure"
  20. TonyW
    Nov 27, 2009
    9
    An outstanding, long lasting game that actually beats the DS version that I loved. The top down view works to the games favour and does not detract at all from the experience... possible enhances it. Every PSP owner need to try this well worth your cash.
  21. MatthewC.
    Oct 23, 2009
    10
    gta chinatown wars is the greatest gta game to be on a nintendo console and portable one too. the ds version was awesome along with the psp much is good with extras too. the game is very cool.
  22. MarcDoyle(GamesEditor&Co-Founder-Metacritic)
    Oct 23, 2009
    8
    GameSpy reviewed GTA: Chinatown Wars (PSP), but they have since removed the review from their site. I removed the review exerpt and 70 score (originally a 3.5 stars on their site) from Metacritic after speaking with the GameSpy team regarding the situation. I am satified that GameSpy's decision to de-publish the review was an independent and principled one. Per GameSpy's GameSpy reviewed GTA: Chinatown Wars (PSP), but they have since removed the review from their site. I removed the review exerpt and 70 score (originally a 3.5 stars on their site) from Metacritic after speaking with the GameSpy team regarding the situation. I am satified that GameSpy's decision to de-publish the review was an independent and principled one. Per GameSpy's Editor's Note: "We have decided to remove our review of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars after finding some factual inaccuracies in the text. We apologize for the error and any confusion this might have caused, but we're dedicated to making sure we bring you the most informed and honest reviews possible." (http://bit.ly/3Kak8v) Metacritic's original excerpt taken from the de-published review reads as follows: "So, while Chinatown Wars is a solid, entertaining title for the PSP, it simply lacks the oomph and 'oh wow!' factor that it had on DS."… Expand
  23. MarcDoyle(GamesEditor&Co-Founder-Metacritic)
    Oct 23, 2009
    7
    GameSpy reviewed GTA: Chinatown Wars (PSP), but they have since removed the review from their site. I removed the review exerpt and 70 score (originally a 3.5 stars on their site) from Metacritic after speaking with the GameSpy team regarding the situation. I am satified that GameSpy's decision to de-publish the review was an independent and principled one. Per GameSpy's GameSpy reviewed GTA: Chinatown Wars (PSP), but they have since removed the review from their site. I removed the review exerpt and 70 score (originally a 3.5 stars on their site) from Metacritic after speaking with the GameSpy team regarding the situation. I am satified that GameSpy's decision to de-publish the review was an independent and principled one. Per GameSpy's Editor's Note: "We have decided to remove our review of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars after finding some factual inaccuracies in the text. We apologize for the error and any confusion this might have caused, but we're dedicated to making sure we bring you the most informed and honest reviews possible." (http://bit.ly/3Kak8v) Metacritic's original excerpt taken from the de-published review reads as follows: "So, while Chinatown Wars is a solid, entertaining title for the PSP, it simply lacks the oomph and 'oh wow!' factor that it had on DS."… Expand
  24. iamtrent424
    Feb 8, 2011
    8
    This game is really fun. I think this is one of the funniest GTA on psp. The graphics isn't like the other one but its still good. I love this game. The story is great and the gameplay is just right. One of psp best action driving games. One of my favorite psp games. Different from the other gta games but it still have the same story line and gameplay with a lot of extra. Love theThis game is really fun. I think this is one of the funniest GTA on psp. The graphics isn't like the other one but its still good. I love this game. The story is great and the gameplay is just right. One of psp best action driving games. One of my favorite psp games. Different from the other gta games but it still have the same story line and gameplay with a lot of extra. Love the characters in the game. This game didn't take me a long time to figure out.… Expand
  25. xxAcesHighxx
    Jun 3, 2013
    10
    Although Liberty City Stories runs it pretty close, for me at least, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is quite simply the best game ever made for Sony's Playstation Portable. While it obviously lacks the wonderfully tactile touchscreen elements that helped make the Nintendo DS original feel so very special in the first place, from just about every other perspective (most notable of whichAlthough Liberty City Stories runs it pretty close, for me at least, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is quite simply the best game ever made for Sony's Playstation Portable. While it obviously lacks the wonderfully tactile touchscreen elements that helped make the Nintendo DS original feel so very special in the first place, from just about every other perspective (most notable of which are the vastly superior graphical clout and additional content/missions), this PSP edition blows it's dual-screened sibling clean out of the water.

    Meanwhile, for any and all Playstation Vita owners out there who enjoyed Chinatown Wars on PSP and haven't played it to the point of fatigue already, I wholeheartedly recommend picking it up again via a convenient (and very reasonably priced) PSN download. On Vita's larger 5in display, the game looks far, far better than it ever did on PSP, and a million miles from it's DS debut. And what with Vita's much improved analogue sticks, Chinatown Wars not only controls and handles better than ever, it feels absolutely fresh and utterly sensational all over again.

    9.5 out of 10    … Expand
  26. EpicWinGuy
    May 7, 2013
    9
    Absolutely the best portable GTA i have ever played. I myself have LCS and VCS, but this one is off the charts. The one thing that i definetely enjoyed was the humor; it was dirty, in the best way that you can put it. Addicting mini-games, great story. The only downside was the detail of the characters; it should be a little better. 9/10.
  27. Fedelca
    Sep 29, 2013
    9
    "Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars" es uno de los mejores juegos para la PSP, por la razón de que lograron hacer lo que hicieron en las otras diferentes consolas de Sony, en la PSP y no me confundan, tiene muy buena jugabilidad y buenos gráficos para ser la PSP. Buen juego y da mucho para reflexionar de lo buena que es esta saga.
  28. XDavidX
    Nov 19, 2015
    8
    Don't know why some people hate this. I like this game much, its very fun to play like every other GTA game.
    Game reminds me the GTA2 that I never played. All in this game for me is perfect. And there's one great thing: its have mini games !.
  29. Shadow1
    Jul 31, 2016
    6
    Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars is good Gta, but in this game view from above and in this game normal graphics for view from above and in this game not bad main character and not bad storyline, big open world, big city . Move this game was in China . Normal Game, Good.
  30. SHAWNALLENMAY
    Dec 28, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The game fun I love it hopefully they will be in that one this time Los Santos… Expand
  31. Ismael10
    Feb 15, 2019
    9
    Le he dedicado 12 horas al juego, lo he terminado dos veces y puedo decir que la historia del juego es muy buena al punto de mantenerte pegado haciendo las misiones para saber que va a pasar después hasta encontrar quién provoco lo del principio, cada mision se desenvuelven bien en el mapa al punto de hacer una buena exploracion de Liberty City (ciudad donde se desarrolla el juego), unaLe he dedicado 12 horas al juego, lo he terminado dos veces y puedo decir que la historia del juego es muy buena al punto de mantenerte pegado haciendo las misiones para saber que va a pasar después hasta encontrar quién provoco lo del principio, cada mision se desenvuelven bien en el mapa al punto de hacer una buena exploracion de Liberty City (ciudad donde se desarrolla el juego), una muy buen jugabilidad aprovecha todos los recursos jugables tanto en vehículo como a pie, buen manejo de armas y uso del PDA que simula un dispositivo móvil (Celular), en tanto al apartado gráfico muy bonito aprovecha al máximo la capacidad del PSP, un mapa alucinante de día y de noche que te hace sentir cómodo paseando por la ciudad. Es un Grand Theft Auto a su máximo esplendor de vista cenital más que recomendable para curiosos y fans de GTA.

    Criticas: Por la misma vista cenital cuesta dar un buen manejo a los vehículos cuando se va a alta velocidad.
    - Se pudo haber mejorado más el manejo de las armas en combates con muchos personajes en pantalla.    … Expand
  32. Mr_Kein
    Jun 21, 2018
    7
    Last GTA I think was better. This game looks like what will be if rockstar wanted to do remaster of first games of GTA. This game can tickle fancy by gamers which started play GTA from first or second part of serias. But in PSP already are GTA LCS and VCS.

    Gameplay: First, camera on top. It has consequences in the form of simplifying the texture of that detail in the game world. But    Last GTA I think was better. This game looks like what will be if rockstar wanted to do remaster of first games of GTA. This game can tickle fancy by gamers which started play GTA from first or second part of serias. But in PSP already are GTA LCS and VCS.

    Gameplay: First, camera on top. It has consequences in the form of simplifying the texture of that detail in the game world. But if play only for skirmish and races with police. This GTA can do it better than LCS and VCS, but camera on top causes new problems for gamers GTA 3, VC, SA , LCS, VCS like simplified shooting. For shoot you must press L1 and O. Driving better than in GTA LCS and VCS, but they make me more discriminating. In this part , you can buy drugs and sell them. In general this is intresting. Some dealers sale more expensive, but some dealers they could already sell. This system looks intresting in start, but then you don't use it for earning money. Civilian work remained, but there isn't helicopter for firefighter and doctors. Then I think this job bory. There is new system with conecting gamer with game taxi. Then you can skip travel , this will be cost twice as much. New way getting guns. You can collect new gun from bin, but weapon can not be found in every bin. In general gameplay : 7/10 looks intresting

    Skript: don't intresting. After completing game for 100% , I can't remeber skript. Then I think skript in GTA Chinatown wars skript bory. But but someone might like it. ,

    Graphics: This is game for Portable console. In my opinion , graphics not main. For people who realy want see Full HD on portanle console , I say that graphic on PSP looks great for 2009 and 2018

    Total: 7/10    … Expand
  33. Benzboi
    Dec 28, 2018
    10
    Awesome game, the drug dealing minigame is so fun. Easily one of the best handheld games of all time.
  34. saspero
    Jun 2, 2019
    8
    Игра не плохая, для псп самое то .
    Плюсы:
    -запоминающиеся персонажи
    -много геймплейных фишек
    -хорошая музыка
    -приятные мини-игры
    Минусы:
    -мир немного маловат
    -есть однотипные задания.
    Итог : советую
  35. ThanPag
    Sep 15, 2019
    8
    I played this game about 2 years after its release on the PSP, and I loved it. It was the first ever GTA Game I ever played, and while it may not stand much today, I think it's one of the Best Games of the Late 2000's.
  36. Kacak321
    Apr 13, 2020
    0
    Super Express w dniu przyjazdu do koszyka dodaj do koszyka dodaj do koszyka dodaj
  37. Vinegar147
    Dec 12, 2021
    8
    Прекрасная и незаслуженно пропущенная большинством, уникальные механники, прикольный сюжет, дух первых частей гта
  38. Ahbuenotmcuidas
    Feb 24, 2022
    10
    El mejor GTA en historia, llena de traiciones por todos los que quieren ser nuevos jefes de las tríadas, siendo Huang Lee el único con sentido común en esa bola de locos, también amo como hicieron un balance perfecto con el tráfico de drogas, donde mientras uno te puede vender más barato, otro te compra a casi 10veces mas de lo que pagaste, todo un juegazo
  39. Bethrewhy
    Apr 10, 2022
    7
    2.5D perspective game, The story is basically around with triad and really got me at the ending, if you tidy up the story after you played it, you'll amazed by how complicated is the character of this game. Gameplay is not really that interested honestly, it lacks of many minigame like

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PSP Game of 2009
3
#3 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2009
1
#1 Most Shared PSP Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 77 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 74 out of 77
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 77
  3. Negative: 0 out of 77
  1. 1UP
    91
    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.
    Read full review
  2. GamePro
    90
    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.
    Read full review
  3. Computer and Video Games
    87
    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.
    Read full review
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