Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars breaking out on PSP this fall
by Jem Alexander 
{ Jun 22nd 2009 at 8:33AM } 
No new assets have been released for the PSP version -- in fact, the official website still says it's exclusive to the DS -- but we should see more of this new addition to the ever-growing 2009 PSP lineup soon. See the PSP box art, after the break.
Gallery: GTA: Chinatown Wars (DS)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
bemaggg @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:38AM
WAT
bemaggg @ Jun 22nd 2009 6:11PM
I just wanted to add to my initial shock. I'm honestly shocked but then not so surprised after some thought. I'm a lil upset with R* decision here. NOT because it's a lost exclusive. Their decision does not hinder my ability to play and enjoy the game and a good game is a good game exclusive or not. But this decisions will certainly leave a sour taste in a few ds owner mouth's. I can completely understand R* problem with ds version not selling as anticipated despite being one of the best games for the platform. But this decisions will only hurt them more in the long run.
Now if R* should choose to make another great DS game, the ds fanbase that overlaps with the psp fanbase (those who own both) will now just wait until the "complete" psp version is released. (Think people's reaction to wait for an FES version of Persona 4). So they essentially solve the problem of poor GTA: CTW sales, but actually make the poor GTA on DS problem WORSE.
Also this begs the question, what incentive do they have to make a ds game that takes advantage of the touch screen? Doing so makes a game less portable to the psp. A far better solution would be oh I dunno, advertising? Commercials and billboards are good starts R* decided to pass on. A tie in with GTA IV DLC would have been excellent seeing as they both take place in LC. A lil ad on TVs or email alert on your gta IV PDA about "wars in chinatown" would have been cool and not too aggressive! Hell even an ingame billboard in GTA IV wouldn't cost them anything practically!
Just my thoughts. Exclusives really are coming to an end this generation. IMO Nintendo should really start laying some cash down to hold a few. But regardless, GTA: CTW is a great game and PSP owners shouldn't pass this one up!
TL;DR version
R* using psp as fix but is not a real solution to poor ds sales problem
ninty should have laid down some cash for exclusive.
Zexion_VI @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:38AM
Wow, that sounds interesting. And lol it will probably sell better than the DS version. Cause remember all that drama about M rated games, eh?
offday @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:25AM
I'm sure it will. And I'm sure it's going to be bought by all the people who called GTA Chinatown Wars crap compared to LC and VC Stories. Because secretly we all know they were just mad they couldn't play it.
Ryoga Vee @ Jun 22nd 2009 3:56PM
I'm sure it wont sell better, so much easier to pirate on PSP.
Digg me down... but its the truth.
Nobledevil @ Jun 22nd 2009 10:59PM
It's just as easy or easier to pirate on the DS, Ryoga, so you have cemented yourself as an ignorant douche.
Grats?
lochack @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:40AM
first day purchase for me! 8=====>
Freak Mojo @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:44AM
SWEET!!! Glad I waited on this. Definitely going digital on that and eliminate the load times. YAY! Bring it!!!
SecretAgentHam @ Jun 22nd 2009 12:30PM
my thoughts exactly. now make the other GTA psp titles downloadable and i'll be one happy camper.
Dopple Boppler @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:46AM
Wow, that came out of absolutely nowhere. I mean, clearly this is a response to the crappy sales (relatively speaking) of the game on the DS, but it just seems so tailor made for the system that porting it to the PSP without some heavy modifying would just end up being silly.
Plus, no molotov cocktail minigame = not even worth it.
Young_Nastyman @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:53AM
this might be the first time I've ever seen "No minigame no sale" used in a sentence without otherwise in the middle of it
Magresda @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:49AM
The PSP is shaping up pretty nicely. Might have to get myself one of them memory sticks now.
fikhl @ Jun 22nd 2009 11:50AM
Exactly what I was thinking! :)
Ravnos @ Jun 22nd 2009 12:08PM
Get a MicroSDHC-Memory Stick adaptor instead. MicroSD's are usable with pretty much everything out there, so you can re-use them with your phone, digital camera, etc. etc. etc., but Memory Sticks are only useful if you have a ton of other Sony stuff. There's an adaptor out now that will let you put 2 MicroSDs in one Memory Stick Duo and the PSP will treat it as one big Memory Stick. Definitely worth picking up, IMO.
Just my two cents.
JXCgunrunna @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:51AM
This is the dumbest thing iv seen in a while. The best part of the game was the way you used the touch screen. Im sure it will sell better but it will not be as fun. Downvote me if you like but anyone who has played this can tell you the controls are set up for the DS and cant be done as well on another system
creid @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:31AM
Ironic. "The best part of the game was the way you used the touch screen." is the dumbest thing I've seen in a while. The game was plenty fun without the touch.
Maverick Saturn @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:48AM
Come off it, it wasn't 100% touch, all they have to do is replace those parts so that it becomes suitable for the PSP, even if it was 100% touch, it would still be possible unless the game was unique in the way it uses touch.
Whether the game will be good is another story.
JXCgunrunna @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:50AM
As i said, this game was optimized for touch. the GPS, the way u change weapons, throwing nades, scrolling through drug dealers. all this would be much harder without a touch screen.
Maverick Saturn @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:56AM
Unless they changed it so that it was more like the past two gta games.....wait, arent they thinking of making another GTA game exclusivly for PSP? SA or London me hopes, either way, whether on not this game was tailor made for DS, if it sold badly, touch or no touch will not matter. You say it will be less fun, but I doubt that the PSP owning people buying it will care.
JXCgunrunna @ Jun 22nd 2009 10:08AM
Probably not. Rockstar makes fun games and i have no doubt that it will be fun but having played it on the DS, it would be one of those where i would always think "this was easier to just point at the map" rather than scrolling around New york with the analog nub
Maverick Saturn @ Jun 22nd 2009 10:19AM
Maybe so, but the PSP could have used touch for all the games it has, Monster Hunter, God of war etc, are you saying that if they had come out on DS they would have somehow made the PSP versions less interesting then they are now? The only reason this is an issue is because it was on DS first. Yeah it won't have touch screen and the people buying it know that, but on the plus side, they'll be able to listen to thier custom music while playing if it gets added like the other two PSP GTAs, become possible to download straight off the store and have added visuals etc. So what does it matter that I'll have to use the analogue nub to scroll around instead of touch? I've been doing it for other games and still enjoyed them, how will this ruin my gameplay experience or fun in any way, because I can't hotwire a car with the stylus?
Look, if PSP is getting MGS 3-2 (peacewalker) which was originally a PS2 game, playing God of war (a PS2 game) and even playing good versions of PS3 / 360 multiplats, then I hardly doubt a DS port is going to destroy the gameplay fun, thats the whole point of PSP and DS having thier own strengths and weaknesses. PSP's weaknesses (no touch) will be made up for in its strengths.
JXCgunrunna @ Jun 22nd 2009 10:39AM
I never said it would be unplayable. All those games like GoW and MGS have been toned down somewhat (Even tho they look amazing) and they would have not been more intresting if the devs did not go out of the way to make good use of the hardware. Monsterhunter and GoW make use of the PSP hardware by using the superior power of the PSP and the games could not look as good on a DS, much like the Conduit would be Shooter #158 on the PS3 and 360. Fact of the matter is that CTW is something special to the DS just like a duel analog shooter cant be done on the PSP. the hardware can be manipulated to try to compensate like they do in Syphon Filter games by using the X O square and triangle buttons like they are a second stick, but it does not feel the same.
Maverick Saturn @ Jun 22nd 2009 11:49AM
I'd like to say the same about a possible monster hunter going from PS3 to Wii, but when I think about it now, Wii has its own great benefits that could make the game so much more fun, so gameplay always differs on different console.
It may not have the touch, but it will have something else, and whether or not it will be less fun will only matter to people who have played it on DS, what about those who only own a PSP, what would they care that it lacks touch? Besides, why would DS GTA owners need to play it again on PSP unless the game has added benefits over the DS version that makes it unique, so why would it bother them that its less fun?
sony boy @ Jun 22nd 2009 11:52AM
the button minigames can be replaced with QTE.
Trippy Haps @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:53AM
As a long-time reader and seldom poster of this blog, I just want to say:
Dude, there's something wrong with you. Please, seek help before it's too la-...
...Know what? Probably already is.
nutman @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:53AM
Would rather have San Andreas Stories.
ElStefio @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:03AM
Agreed
Kill a mans jiro @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:06AM
That would be sick.
+1
Maverick Saturn @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:49AM
Agreed 3
Saikisen @ Jun 22nd 2009 11:55AM
Agreed. I was hoping rockstar would release their own GTA stories exclusive for the psp again. This is still going to be great but I would have preferred san adreas more.
Zero-kun @ Jun 24th 2009 3:58PM
GTA: San Andreas Stories... + 1
Premature ejaculation man @ Jun 22nd 2009 8:56AM
I could have sworn Chris Grant banned you. I remember there was much rejoicing.
I just got over my RSI from having to scroll past your essays too
Kill a mans jiro @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:02AM
Why so negetive, its like your asking to be attacked by a swarm of replies you KNOW are gonna be infavour of sony, why? BECAUSE ITS ABOUT THE PSP of course people are gonna be infavour, thats why joystiq has diferent sections, joystiq.xbox, Joystiq.playstation and joystiq nintendo.
So dont call em sony cronies when they reply in defence too ure comment bro, cause if this post was in favour of YOUR favoured console YOU would be replying in defence.....
Ethan @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:02AM
The sales were pretty good, they just like money.
Double J @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:02AM
This is going to make for a terrible PSP game. On the DS it works. Add some well done gimmicky touch screen drug dealing and hot wiring, take advantage of the weaker system to it's fullest and make good updated look on the original formula, and you have a great game. But on the PSP, where you already have had games like Vice City Stories or Liberty City Stories?
Kill a mans jiro @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:08AM
well you may aswell say that about the next GTA on the PS3 and xbox then,
They have already done GTA 1,2,3 and 4 so why continue right?....
Liberty city and vice city are 2 completly diferent stories. Just cause u can fill up a glass bottle with the Stylus of the DS doesnt make the game.
Double J @ Jun 22nd 2009 11:09AM
Yeah, but the PS3 and 360 versions aren't going backwards, they're at least advancing. With LCS and VCS are pretty technologically impressive, going back to the isometric view with fairly weak visual assets seems like a step backwards. Chinatown Wars is a great DS game, but a weak PSP game in contrast to the previous titles. It'd be like making GTA V an HD remake of the original series.
Double J @ Jun 22nd 2009 11:11AM
In short, you apparently missed the point entirely.
AlexIV @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:04AM
You are like a fucking cockroach. Annoying, disgusting but so hard to kill.
Kill a mans jiro @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:05AM
i bought a DSi about 2weeks after release, all i have on it is Final fantasy IV (which is awsome) but i was alittle dissapointed in it, im yet to buy chinatown wars so i may just get it on my PSP instead. The DSi is kool n all, but the DSiWare shop is what i wanted it for mostly and it hasnt realy shaped up yet imo (well for europe anyways, im still waiting for info on the drawing app thing, and would be great if they released some N64 titles on there too, Snes at least.)
JXCgunrunna @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:16AM
Obviously i have not played it on the PSP but I would recommend playing it on the DS. after you play it on the DS you will wonder how it will work on the PSP. Its like playing RE4 on the wii and then trying to go back to GCN controllers
j.howlett @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:05AM
i'll get it for psp, but i still want it for DS. i'd have my own by now if i didn't replace the one for my niece. i really want to use the touch pad to put together the sniper rifle
Emperor_Den_Den @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:10AM
You know, you seem extremely bitter about anything remotely dealing with sony. I honestly don't understand why you let your fan boyism turn you into a brooding and unhappy troll. It would be different if your opinions weren't so spitefull and had more sensible logic, but no it doesn't. Being a fan boy doesn't mean trashing another system, when you do that you turn into a timid feeble parriah of society. I'll just end the post like so, don't knock it till you try it. Also don't utter anything like "I'll never touch anything sony" because you yourself contemplated getting a ps3.
Kdiggy @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:11AM
Really? What about Liberty and Vice City stories? Those are true GTA games. China Town Wars look like a PS One game because of the lack the DS's power.
m3nphls @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:18AM
I bet you would eat cum if there was a xbox portable right?
Nick @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:24AM
Damn it! I just bought this game for DS not too long ago! If I had known, I would have waited and bought it for PSP.
Oh well, I guess I was better off getting it for the DS anyways seeing as it's one of the 4 or 5 decent games out for the DS anyways, as opposed to the 30 or so games I've got for my PSP. It probably wouldn't be that great for the PSP anyways, because, taken by itself, it wasn't a great GTA game but the DS additions made it worthwhile (can't believe I said that!). Putting it on the PSP might actually make it worse, unless they up the quality of the missions and make it a little more fun.
Rhamsey @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:36AM
there are a lot of really great ds games. you probably just dont watch for them as well (cause you have to), because most of the talked about ds games are either pokemon or some other kids games.
Nick @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:51AM
Well I kind of exaggerated, as I actually own somewhere around 10 DS games and there are a few more I'm interested in, but it still pales in comparison to the amount of decent PSP games. Plus, all of the PSP's best games are much higher quality than the DS's best games (which, by the way, consist primarily of ports and remakes).
No offense to Nintendo or anything, I used to be a huge Nintendo fanboy a while ago, but ever since the current generation came about Nintendo has really started to suck. The DS has nowhere near as many decent games as past Nintendo handhelds and the Wii is absolutely horrid compared to every other Nintendo or any console (even the Gamecube was better than the Wii!). Nintendo's focusing too much on making money and making mainstream motion-control-based teeny-bopper kids games and not enough on making decent games. In my eyes, Nintendo are officially sellouts, and it will take a lot for them to redeem themselves and put themselves back up onto the top of the gaming scene like they were years ago (and I'm not talking about sales, obviously, because that doesn't make them any better or worse).
mazza_man @ Jun 22nd 2009 9:50AM
4 or 5 decent games on the DS? What the fridge are you smoking?
Austin @ Jun 22nd 2009 10:22AM
The DS has one of the most diverse libraries of all time, no fanboyism in there.