First screens of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars PSP hijacked
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Aug 27th 2009 at 11:47AM } 
Click to steal more screens.
PSP owners expecting a Liberty City Stories-styled facelift for the upcoming port of Chinatown Wars may be a little disappointed. One glance at the first batch of PSP screenshots shows that the game hasn't strayed far from its DS origins. Sure, the enhanced lighting effects and widescreen presentation are noticeable improvements, but it's clear that this GTA isn't pushing the hardware in any significant way.
Hopefully, the visuals won't stop PSP owners from checking out the game. It may be a port of a DS game, but it's a port of one of the best DS games ever. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will be available on UMD and PSN on October 20.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
CAHLITO @ Aug 27th 2009 11:51AM
Well... That's not what I expected.
ragetek @ Aug 27th 2009 12:12PM
i was totally shocked too, but i just checked out a few videos of the ds version in action,
frankly, i kinda like what they did to it here. it makes the gta franchise on the psp completely fresh, while i've no idea how well they'll implement the touch screen actions on the psp, if they can up the graphics a bit more, add better cutscenes and voice acting, i cant see how this will fail.
Levi @ Aug 27th 2009 6:00PM
me neither... and I like it
Dartmerc @ Aug 27th 2009 7:03PM
Lol, was anyone expecting a 'liberty city stories' type makeover? Shit son, they're porting the game, not writing a new one.
PN04 @ Aug 28th 2009 10:49AM
This is about how I expected. I was hoping it'd move the camera in a little closer but the higer resolution and textures are making this look a lot better than the DS version already to be honest. I suspect the controls might even be easier to use too.
I dont see how anyone would expect mroe of a port than this. the whole reason they're making it for PSP is because the DS version didnt sell, they're not going to spend MORE money than they need to to port this or they end up bleeding cash again.
Levi @ Aug 29th 2009 12:46PM
I'm quite glad they didn't move the camera in closer actually. I think that is something few games on PSP have gotten right. Most just try to emulate the home console counterpart, without paying enough attention to how much smaller the screen is compared to your TV. With the older, more top-down view, this game will probably be easier on the eyes, which could make it more fun to play.
Killzone Liberation got it right. Perfect example of changing the game to fit the handheld format.
m3nphls @ Aug 27th 2009 11:53AM
Come on!!! I was expecting the same type as San Andreas......this just looks like a lazy ass port from the DS version.
MRLN the Amazing @ Aug 27th 2009 12:33PM
That's because it IS a lazy ass port from the DS version?
Cabcru @ Aug 27th 2009 11:54AM
Be better off picking up LCS or VCS if you haven't already. Better looking and longer games in general.
Massmass @ Aug 27th 2009 1:41PM
Newsflash: Quality > Quantity.
PR0F3TA (PSN - PROPHETA) @ Aug 27th 2009 2:13PM
did you not read what he said idiot... It LOOKS better.
VCS was the best PSP GTA, the music was off the hook.
ripslymemc @ Aug 27th 2009 11:55AM
Would it be inappropriate to say that rockstar might be milking this series (on the psp)?
I'm only asking...
tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 27th 2009 11:57AM
Not the series, but yeah with this game. It's pretty clear this is just a quick lazy cash in, which is kind of insulting considering LCS and VCS sold multi millions on the piracy infested PSP.
Skambu @ Aug 28th 2009 8:31AM
It's not really milking it dude... virtually nobody bought it on the DS, so they're trying to make it profitable. It's not milking... it's good business sense.
Don't be so quick to judge...
Markez @ Aug 27th 2009 11:56AM
Never wanted to buy this DS game, but ended up doing so before a vacation. Really great game, surprisingly so, good news for PSP owners. As much as HARDCORE gamers here like to bitch, whine, and moan about minigames, the different touchscreen minigames for stealing a car are pretty cool and it'll be interesting to see how they adapt those.
Rhamsey @ Aug 27th 2009 11:56AM
I dont know about this. One of the reasons I loved chinatown wars was because of the touch screen stuff. But I guess people who prefer the more traditional type of game will enjoy this better.
tomlinson731 @ Aug 27th 2009 11:58AM
Well that is unfortunate.
balzzi @ Aug 27th 2009 12:01PM
this is an abomination
TM @ Aug 27th 2009 12:04PM
the screens and the reaction to follow are so predictable
tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 27th 2009 12:10PM
You mean to tell me that seeing bad screens on a system that can do 100 times better makes people angry?
Please, share this infinite wisdom of yours with me!
Fun DMC @ Aug 27th 2009 1:15PM
I would agree with tmac if it weren't for the fact that this is being marketed as a PSP mini.
as in, an inexpensive downloadable game.
eugaet @ Aug 27th 2009 12:05PM
I'm curious how they replaced the touchscreen controls. Buttonmashing? Doesn't seem like it'd be quite as immersive.
And the top-down view is what got me back into GTA. Just couldn't get into the series once it went 3D, tried both GTAIII and Vice City. Chinatown Wars on the DS, though, is pure bliss. Guess I'm old school.
rooshma @ Aug 27th 2009 5:44PM
I'd recommend the fourth one; it's a lot of fun if you get into it.
Joe Byrne @ Aug 27th 2009 12:06PM
So im the only one who likes it? :(
charlie b. @ Aug 27th 2009 12:48PM
probably.
LordAbsu @ Aug 27th 2009 1:54PM
Nope. I'm with ya, man. I think it looks kick-ass. :D
Markez @ Aug 27th 2009 12:09PM
Yeesh, people really have their jump to conclusions mats out here. You'll be missing a really fun game, sooooo your loss.
tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 27th 2009 12:11PM
It's bad looking, and that's 1 big problem against it but I can live with that.
The top down view, is unforgivable though. There is no way I would get an ounce of enjoyment out of this game.
Fun DMC @ Aug 27th 2009 1:14PM
Again, mac, the top-down view isn't half as bad as you make it out to be for this game, and believe it or not, it feels nothing like any of the other top-down GTAs. It feels pretty modern in comparison, actually.
It's a great game, top down or not.
guttertalk @ Aug 27th 2009 2:19PM
Sounds like tmac has a problem being on top.
tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 27th 2009 3:41PM
I do, it's much more fun to just lay there and let the girl do all the work :P
Nook @ Aug 27th 2009 3:52PM
@tmac -I guess that gets you out of the truth coming out that you don't know what you're doing or talking about!
Of course with all the resources at your disposal, I'm suprised you'd be having sex at all.
Fun DMC @ Aug 27th 2009 7:13PM
"I guess that gets you out of the truth coming out that you don't know what you're doing or talking about!"
What the fuck are you talking about?
HighFiveJesus @ Aug 27th 2009 12:13PM
I hate that it feels like there are only 10 cars in the game to jack.
I hate how it feels there are cops on every corner catching you trying to jack.
And i've been pulled out of my car and busted way too many times, wear a seatbelt man!
Still working on finishing it, but the missions are starting to feel like they are repeating.
HeXeN {KevinConroyDefeatsBatman} @ Aug 27th 2009 12:20PM
They should have at least changed the camera.If I really wanted to play a GTA 1 & 2 like game I would on the psp right now.
Snowblind @ Aug 27th 2009 12:20PM
I hope people don't hold the graphics against it. It's a really great game, and easily better than the previous PSP Story games.
KeenCommander @ Aug 27th 2009 12:21PM
Why does this look infinitely worse than on the DS? Dammit, and Rockstar was supposed to be one of the few devs who did things (mostly) right on the PSP.
Saigon @ Aug 27th 2009 12:21PM
I'm willing to look pass the ds graphics, as long the game has a good chunk of extra content and improvements. Otherwise, the ds version may end up the better of the two, if just for the touchscreen controlled minigames.
Kleptomaniac @ Aug 27th 2009 12:43PM
What the hell is wrong with it? I think this looks great! Sure its not a graphical masterpiece but GTA games aren't about graphics. Actually, you know what GTA game focused on graphics, GTA 4. And look at that its the weakest game in the franchise. And anyone bitching about the top down camera can fuck right off because thats classic GTA.
This is exactly what I expected. GTA chinatown wars on the PSP with a few improvements in graphics. Although a bit of AA couldn't hurt.
Fun DMC @ Aug 27th 2009 1:13PM
"And look at that its the weakest game in the franchise."
That's dependent on what you were looking to get out of the game. I wasn't expecting anything like the other games, and I ended up enjoying the game thoroughly because of it. In fact, it's gotta be one of my favorite games of this generation.
d3athcr4ft @ Aug 27th 2009 4:40PM
Good points, Klepto. I'm not a big fan of the topdown view, but I did buy this for the DS, and it truly is a great game. It's not at the top of metacritic just because it has the GTA name attached; it earned its rank!
So PSP owners, just chill out until you play the game for yourself. Don't be afraid to enjoy a game that doesn't have top of the line graphics. We all play games because they're fun, right? Well this game is fun!
Ravnos @ Aug 27th 2009 12:47PM
This was a great DS game and if you have one, I highly recommend it. But as a PSP game, I don't know. I'm sure it will still be fun and play great, but it is a little disappointing that they didn't take advantage of the PSP's extra horsepower. Still, if the price is right, I'd say it's worth picking up for any PSP owners without both consoles.
Deaddy @ Aug 27th 2009 12:48PM
Looks pretty good. If they give it a bit of a discounted price for being a port, I'll grab the PSN version. How can you guys be surprised that it looks like the DS, it's just a port. Of course they kept the top down view.
Ucial @ Aug 27th 2009 12:54PM
rite on Kleptomaniac...
u fucking sony fanboys aint got a clue! GTA was originally top down and was far better than the 3D versions, just coz its 3D doesnt make it superior, i plehed and finished the DS version and it hailed rite back to the day of DMA (bet u twats dont even know who they are!)
i also bet u twats think macs are better than PC's and the bible is all true. i hope u die in ur own piss u sony kunthooks!
alamos @ Aug 27th 2009 1:02PM
So it's incorrect to think that the game should have been improved graphically because it's on superior hardware? You're daft. I know it's a simple port, but this is the most powerful handheld to date. It could have brought something more to the table.
Also, stop talking like that. You look and sound retarded.
tobz1000 @ Aug 27th 2009 12:55PM
Considering this isn't the most complex game visually, could they not chuck some AA in there? Jagginess on the DS was the only thing that grated a little with me; I figured the PSP's extra horsepower was sort that out. =/
tobz1000 @ Aug 27th 2009 12:56PM
*WOULD sort that out.
Fun DMC @ Aug 27th 2009 1:17PM
I have yet to play a cel-shaded game on the PSP that wasn't plagued with jaggies.
TM @ Aug 27th 2009 1:03PM
They forgot to add GTA 1 and 2 to PSN
Mr Khan @ Aug 27th 2009 1:09PM
Interesting to see if this sells better, it would be a great study into why the DS version sold what it did, mostly to see whether it was problems with perspective that held it back, or merely their choice in platform.