Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars has passed the British Board of Film Classification with an "18" rating, which is equivalent to the ESRB's "Mature" rating. According to Edge, the DS title -- the first ever to receive an 18 rating by the BBFC -- passed with "no cuts made."
Apparently it was a very clear edict from Rockstar's Sam Houser to developers that the game receive an M rating and maintain the franchise's adult tone. The game has yet to receive ratings from the United States' ESRB or Australia's conservative OFLC.
[Via Edge]
Reader Comments (55)
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 1:37PM (Unverified) said
Is just me or that screen alone is more explicit about drugs than GTAIV alone?
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Posted: Jan 12th 2009 2:08PM (Unverified) said
Are you telling me Chinatown Wars won't be better than GTA4?
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Posted: Jan 12th 2009 2:19PM baby sea tuna said
No, I'm saying that Big American Titties>Drugs.
And no...Chinatown Wars, while being better than 90% of DS games, will not be better than GTAIV.
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And no...Chinatown Wars, while being better than 90% of DS games, will not be better than GTAIV.
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 1:46PM darkinchworm said
WTF IS THIS SHIT THE DS IS FOR KIDS. SUMMONING LEGISLATION NOW
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Posted: Jan 13th 2009 1:23AM (Unverified) said
same thoughts exactly - the first version of that was epic
if this is just a glorified dope wars on the DS it is a win.. add in some pimp slappin and will sell bajillions
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if this is just a glorified dope wars on the DS it is a win.. add in some pimp slappin and will sell bajillions
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 2:01PM (Unverified) said
well duh, it's a GTA game, like being on DS makes that big a difference.
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Posted: Jan 12th 2009 5:07PM (Unverified) said
No it's not...
Dementium the ward comes to mind first, along with other M rated games.
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Dementium the ward comes to mind first, along with other M rated games.
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 7:01PM AlexMeloche said
The DS has been out since only 4 years, and there are six mature games on it.
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Posted: Jan 12th 2009 2:13PM (Unverified) said
Maybe they should have went for the more made up drug names willie wonka style.
Flip Flaps
Chim Chams
Harry Kerry
Plump Pistol
Rubber Ducky
West Nile Vial
Stank Juice
Brown Nugget
etc.
Reply
Flip Flaps
Chim Chams
Harry Kerry
Plump Pistol
Rubber Ducky
West Nile Vial
Stank Juice
Brown Nugget
etc.
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 3:02PM (Unverified) said
Brown Nugget
To be honest I'm ignorant of all that stuff so I don't know what most of your made stuff means but Brown Nugget sounds like an old turd in a paper bag.
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To be honest I'm ignorant of all that stuff so I don't know what most of your made stuff means but Brown Nugget sounds like an old turd in a paper bag.
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 3:07PM baby sea tuna said
ATTENTION, PEOPLE! NOBODY EAT THE BROWN NUGGET!
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Posted: Jan 12th 2009 2:32PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
I have a DS so I guess it doesn't eliminate the *entire* user base.
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Posted: Jan 12th 2009 2:54PM Vegeta has a ps3 said
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 3:10PM Megadanxzero said
I've always thought this was a rather significant problem with the Joystiq comment system. You can't place an actual image in your post, so you're forced to give a link to it instead, but in most cases the URL gives away the nature of the image, so you already know what it's going to be before it loads up, which kinda kills the funny...
Also, I see what you did there...
Reply
Also, I see what you did there...
Posted: Jan 18th 2009 1:30AM mynk said
man, to all ya'll readers out there clicking away on those red and green minuses and pluses respectively, just think twice before clicking the minus sign, i mean as you can see above, a lot of people are putting thier self esteem on the line here.
you know, its like playing that basketball game when the your team is losing by one point in overtime and there's 3 seconds left, you go for that layup and its going to make it, but suddenly it doesnt, and then everybody hates you....
or that time when you come home to find your girlfriend cheating on you and then telling you that you're not enough for her?
how about that time when you call your parents after a few months and they tell you they dont want to talk to you anymore because they no longer consider you thier son?
thats nothing compared to getting your comment downranked on joystiq.
Reply
you know, its like playing that basketball game when the your team is losing by one point in overtime and there's 3 seconds left, you go for that layup and its going to make it, but suddenly it doesnt, and then everybody hates you....
or that time when you come home to find your girlfriend cheating on you and then telling you that you're not enough for her?
how about that time when you call your parents after a few months and they tell you they dont want to talk to you anymore because they no longer consider you thier son?
thats nothing compared to getting your comment downranked on joystiq.
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 2:31PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
How cute ... Nintendo has it's first hardcore game. I hope it's top down like the older GTA's. I will probably have to pick this one up day 1.
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Posted: Jan 12th 2009 2:42PM (Unverified) said
If my memory serves me right, GTA: CW will be "sorta" top down.
There are one or two decent interviews with Gordan Hall floating around on the net. 1UP has a good one.
Reply
There are one or two decent interviews with Gordan Hall floating around on the net. 1UP has a good one.
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 2:49PM FernandoRocker said
Really.. people has a very wrong definition of what a hardcore game is.
So... just becaue this is an M title, that make the game hardcore?
The DS has a lot more hardcore titles than the PS3 bro... deal with it.
Both the DS and the 360 are the winners this gen when it comes to the quantity of top quality titles.
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So... just becaue this is an M title, that make the game hardcore?
The DS has a lot more hardcore titles than the PS3 bro... deal with it.
Both the DS and the 360 are the winners this gen when it comes to the quantity of top quality titles.
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 2:56PM Vegeta has a ps3 said
So to you games like Final Fantasy 3 or Chrono Trigger aren't Hardcore?
Either you're one of those 10 year olds who seem to think that only mature rated titles can be "hardcore", or you're just an idiot.
Or maybe both.
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Either you're one of those 10 year olds who seem to think that only mature rated titles can be "hardcore", or you're just an idiot.
Or maybe both.
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 4:02PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
RAWRRR BAHH RAWWR YOU NO SAY BAD ABOUT MY FRAVROTIST MAHHHCHINE FOR TEH HAMEZ RAWRR RAWRR BAHHH
Fernando the troll said ...
"The DS has a lot more hardcore titles than the PS3 bro... deal with it."
AWW BURN BRO ... You got me there man. Now that you have bestowed this anchient knwoledge of your own biased opinion upon thee what will I ever do???
"Both the DS and the 360 are the winners this gen when it comes to the quantity of top quality titles"
See above ... Your a Sony troll anyway Fernando. You think your opinion matters to me or anyone else at all? It doesn't. Go back under the bridge where you belong. Either that or learn how to like Nintendo and not be a douche bag about it like Mr.Khan. This goes for all your NintenDOH'S except Samfish.
Vegeeta the bully said ...
"So to you games like Final Fantasy 3 or Chrono Trigger aren't Hardcore?"
They're pretty hardcore for ports and remakes.
"Either you're one of those 10 year olds who seem to think that only mature rated titles can be "hardcore", or you're just an idiot."
Seriously man you are WAAAAAY to defensive. Go play some little miss pet shop on your DS and chill the fuck out. You guys seem to have bought into the Nintendo stereotype that only toddlers and geriatrics play Nintendo consoles. Honestly, your only adding more validity to that stereotype with these type of 5th grade outbursts.
______________________________________________________
I know it went over both of your overzealous heads but my comment was meant to be tounge and cheek. As in I have a DS and shit fuck ton of games. You guys are to busy being fanboy twats to notice a blip on your sarcasm radar. You guys need to get out more because your starting to act like Bob (from bob's game) ...
Reply
Fernando the troll said ...
"The DS has a lot more hardcore titles than the PS3 bro... deal with it."
AWW BURN BRO ... You got me there man. Now that you have bestowed this anchient knwoledge of your own biased opinion upon thee what will I ever do???
"Both the DS and the 360 are the winners this gen when it comes to the quantity of top quality titles"
See above ... Your a Sony troll anyway Fernando. You think your opinion matters to me or anyone else at all? It doesn't. Go back under the bridge where you belong. Either that or learn how to like Nintendo and not be a douche bag about it like Mr.Khan. This goes for all your NintenDOH'S except Samfish.
Vegeeta the bully said ...
"So to you games like Final Fantasy 3 or Chrono Trigger aren't Hardcore?"
They're pretty hardcore for ports and remakes.
"Either you're one of those 10 year olds who seem to think that only mature rated titles can be "hardcore", or you're just an idiot."
Seriously man you are WAAAAAY to defensive. Go play some little miss pet shop on your DS and chill the fuck out. You guys seem to have bought into the Nintendo stereotype that only toddlers and geriatrics play Nintendo consoles. Honestly, your only adding more validity to that stereotype with these type of 5th grade outbursts.
______________________________________________________
I know it went over both of your overzealous heads but my comment was meant to be tounge and cheek. As in I have a DS and shit fuck ton of games. You guys are to busy being fanboy twats to notice a blip on your sarcasm radar. You guys need to get out more because your starting to act like Bob (from bob's game) ...
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 5:00PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
"shit fuck ton?" Those three words maid your entire response irrelevant.
And in a sad twist of fate it did the same for your response.
Reply
And in a sad twist of fate it did the same for your response.
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 5:17PM ripvanwinkle said
"RAWRRR BAHH RAWWR YOU NO SAY BAD ABOUT MY FRAVROTIST MAHHHCHINE FOR TEH HAMEZ RAWRR RAWRR BAHHH"
Fernando can be a big nintendo fanboy. But sometimes... he's actually right. This is one of those cases.
Reply
Fernando can be a big nintendo fanboy. But sometimes... he's actually right. This is one of those cases.
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 5:31PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
Time,
What you meant to say is that you agree with his opinion.
Reply
What you meant to say is that you agree with his opinion.
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 6:33PM ripvanwinkle said
It's not outlandish like some of his statements are.
Reply
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 7:04PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
It's his defense mechanism. Even when something is said in jest (like my comment) the defense mechanism is to imply denial on the offenders behalf (me) as well as marginalizing the offenders preferred interest (hence the PS3 reference). He isn't capable of making a coherent defense to explain away the glittering generalities of Nintendo = children's toy. So, instead of defending the values of what I am being perceived of attacking he simply makes his own generalizations about my preferences.
It's as if he is trying to convince himself as much as insulting me by saying "The DS has a lot more hardcore titles than the PS3 bro... deal with it" emphasis on "deal with it" like I am in denial or mad about it. That's not enough so he has to give finality by saying "Both the DS and the 360 are the winners this gen when it comes to the quantity of top quality titles." What he did was equate his taste with what he feels is better and equate his interpretations of my taste with what is inferior.
He's just an idiot troll. In the end what he said isn't about being in denial. It's just opinion. The cherry on top of the stupid cake is that unlike him I actually have owned every console made this generation. I am more of an authority on this subject than he is.
The fact remains it was a FUCKING JOKE anyway. These guys took it as a personal insult. I'm actually tickled pink that my comment was so important to them that they would reply to me.
Fernando is just a big fake and phony anyway. I have e-mail exchanges between he and I last year where he said he puts on a big front on Joystiq and sees himself buying a PS3 one day.
Reply
It's as if he is trying to convince himself as much as insulting me by saying "The DS has a lot more hardcore titles than the PS3 bro... deal with it" emphasis on "deal with it" like I am in denial or mad about it. That's not enough so he has to give finality by saying "Both the DS and the 360 are the winners this gen when it comes to the quantity of top quality titles." What he did was equate his taste with what he feels is better and equate his interpretations of my taste with what is inferior.
He's just an idiot troll. In the end what he said isn't about being in denial. It's just opinion. The cherry on top of the stupid cake is that unlike him I actually have owned every console made this generation. I am more of an authority on this subject than he is.
The fact remains it was a FUCKING JOKE anyway. These guys took it as a personal insult. I'm actually tickled pink that my comment was so important to them that they would reply to me.
Fernando is just a big fake and phony anyway. I have e-mail exchanges between he and I last year where he said he puts on a big front on Joystiq and sees himself buying a PS3 one day.
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 11:29PM Vegeta has a ps3 said
"The fact remains it was a FUCKING JOKE anyway."
Ahh yes the old, "I WAS TROLLING THE WHOLE TIME GUIZE!!"
Pathetic.
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Ahh yes the old, "I WAS TROLLING THE WHOLE TIME GUIZE!!"
Pathetic.
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 11:35PM Vegeta has a ps3 said
And if that's supposed to be sarcasm, you're absolutely horrible at it. Since you know you actually need to be funny to pull it off.
Reply
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 3:06PM Megadanxzero said
I always find it strange how Americans claim an 18 rating is the same as an M rating. I've always considered it to be more like AO rating. M seems more like a 15 to me, and T like 12.
It's kinda stupid really, because it means that all games which get either a 15 or an 18 here get an M in America, meaning there's no distinction between the two. Gears of War for example (18) is far more violent than Halo 3 (15) but in America they get the same rating...
Either way our ratings actually mean something since you have to be 18/15/12 to buy the game...
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It's kinda stupid really, because it means that all games which get either a 15 or an 18 here get an M in America, meaning there's no distinction between the two. Gears of War for example (18) is far more violent than Halo 3 (15) but in America they get the same rating...
Either way our ratings actually mean something since you have to be 18/15/12 to buy the game...
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 3:20PM Gun Barrier said
We have to be 18 to buy M rated games here, but some retailers don't care and just want money. Or kids just get their parents to buy the game for them.
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Posted: Jan 12th 2009 4:23PM Shagittarius said
Retailers decide for themselves what ages they will sell to and if they will follow the guidelines set up by the ESRB. There is no law that limits what kinds of games they can sell to kids.
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Posted: Jan 12th 2009 4:51PM Megadanxzero said
Exactly... And any time anyone mentions having a law to prevent kids from buying games not suitable for them in American people bring up bullshit about it being against their 'rights'. As far as I know you can't buy DVDs there unless you're old enough so I don't get why games are any different...
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Posted: Jan 12th 2009 3:41PM Ryudo said
have people forgotten DS has had a few M rated games?
While most it's games don't go higher than T but it does have some M rated.
Dementium: The Ward
RE deadly silence DS
off the top of my head probably quite few more and this is not even the first GTA on a Nintendo system..GBA had a GTA game. Sooooo what is the big deal?
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While most it's games don't go higher than T but it does have some M rated.
Dementium: The Ward
RE deadly silence DS
off the top of my head probably quite few more and this is not even the first GTA on a Nintendo system..GBA had a GTA game. Sooooo what is the big deal?
Posted: Jan 12th 2009 3:46PM (Unverified) said
Well this is the British rating, and if I remember correctly, both those games were rated 15 in Britain.
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Posted: Jan 13th 2009 1:28AM (Unverified) said
hell even hotel dusk got mature content
DS got plenty of brilliant stuff.. but why i only pick up my iphone these days....
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DS got plenty of brilliant stuff.. but why i only pick up my iphone these days....
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