GTA: Chinatown Wars losing nothing in PSP port

by Randy Nelson on Sep 18th 2009 4:45PM

Meeting with Rockstar yesterday for our first hands-on with the PSP "remastering" of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, we kicked things off with a question that's on everyone's minds: What's happening to the DS version's touch-based minigames? The answer: They're all still in the game, just adapted to a button-based format.

We hotwired a car to try it out and were presented with a comic book panel-like inset that had us rotate the analog stick, time L and R button presses and rotate the stick again. According to Rockstar, similar mods have been made to all the minigames, but no minigames have been added exclusively for the PSP release. (Developer Rockstar Leeds did, however, deem the need to pay bridge tolls unnecessary.)

We were quickly pointed toward some added elements, specifically a new aiming "arc" for lobbing grenades and Molotovs while driving, copious bloom lighting (it was a rainy night) and punched-up explosions. The in-game "PDA" has also been redesigned slightly to mimic the PSP XMB interface.

Check out freshly captured new screens in the gallery below:

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (PSP)

Tags: chinatown-wars, grand-theft-auto, gta, gta-chinatown-wars, psp-holiday-showcase-2009, rockstar, rockstar-leeds

Reader Comments (41)

I just wish it was like the other GTAs, I loved chinatown wars on the DS, but I want a FULL 3D version for the PSP. And some added content.

I have zero interest in the other PSP GTA games specifically because they're knock-offs of the console games. If I want a console GTA, I'll play the console version. I personally have no interest whatsoever in a 3D GTA on a handheld gaming device. Obviously they can't make a 3D version of Chinatown Wars for the PSP, it'd be a whole new game.

It _is_ like the other GTAs. Its presentation is like the first two (three if you count London) and its attitude is like the later incarnations.

Also, like the others, it's a lot of fun.

The game IS 3D, only played from a different perspective. Aside from that it captures the style and feel of GTA perfectly, much, much better than what the PSP Stories game managed.

Anyone who thinks this is inferior, really needs to try playing it.

I already beat Chinatown wars, and it was awesome. I just don't want the same thing again.

If this is basically the DS version with nothing much changed, why not buy the DS version instead?

I would bet it's for those with no DS...

better graphics and better gameplay

True.

@ solace

I see no real difference in those two areas.

Arguably better gameplay.

I doubt the graphics are much better, so it is geared toward who wish to buy it for their psp system, that simple.

But i also think psp owners might be a little disappointed, the gameplay is great for what it is, but they might be expecting a "stories" kind of experience.

I could be mistaken, but isn't the control layout of the PSP and DS the same and couldn't you control the main character with the DS's D-pad?

I fail to see the difference in gameplay within the different versions, but as I haven't played this version yet, I can't say that with much confidence.

Theres better graphix but not that much. I think they added better shading but not sure if i can remember. Its basically the same as the DS except in 480x272 res and some modifications.

They couldn't even add a little extra something to make it a bit unique .I bet This will probably sell less than the DS version

Then the Wii?

Could the Wii handle this game?

R*, this is how you don't port a game.

This is how you don't port a game for douchebags.

Fixed that for you. This is a great game. The graphics look a little upgraded, and I expect it'll be good fun just like the DS version. Or maybe this *is* how you port a game for over-critical douchebags? Now I'm confused.

Thanks for the fix.
I guess its just something i'm not looking forward to.
I was hoping to follow the trend of TPS.

"Loses nothing?" The mini-games aren't lost, but certainly their core mechanic,touch screen controls, have been lost. They should just make San Andreas Stories.

The touch screen parts were the worst part about the game.

I'm glad that they are gone

So does your mother.

Glad they finally decided to put this on a portable handheld that has the capabilities to do it justice.

Shouldn't have been wasted on the DS in the first place. Good thing it bombed, and was finally able to come home to the PSP.

Now, let's just hope Okamiden does poorly as well, and gets the same treatment.

Sweet hell, someone should just put "MORON ALARM" next to the article heading for this. You do realize this is basically a port of the DS version? Not something that is utilizing the "capabilities" of the PSP to "do it justice"? Good lawd. I realize I'm getting ensnared by a douche with the name "halo pony" but it was hard to resist.

pure evil

Aww, don't worry Markez.

Get mommy to buy you a PSP and you can play this, too! :)

I'm not a huge fan of Nintendo at the moment, but I can at least appreciate when they put out decent games for their system, and Chinatown Wars was one of them. It worked perfectly on the DS and although the graphics were somewhat limited by the machine, it made up for that by utilizing the DS' features.

It definitely didn't feel like a lesser game because of the system, and I don't think there's anything they could have added on a more powerful system that would have enhanced the game, beyond the appearance.

You're quickly becoming the worst troll on this entire website..

No way in hel I'm paying for this. If they actually spend some time and money making a real gta game like they made the other 2 then I will. But this is like going back in time to make something crappier.

Unlike the previous PSP games, which were quick rehashes of GTA III and Vice City, this one has actually had a lot of care and attention put into it, and feels much more like a proper GTA game than they did.

Stop judging it based on the graphics and camera angle and actually try playing it.

This is the problem with the so-called hardcore gamer, right here.

This is more of a "real GTA game" than any GTA since GTA 3.

They worked really well in the DS version of the game.. They weren't over used, but they were good little diversions. Not sure how we'll they're going to translate to the PSP though.

The novelty of putting together a sniper rifle, or hot wiring the cars is most definitely going to be gone.

Why did you have to include a pic of Ling?! It's too soon!!!

Calling it right now. This game is going to bomb, just like it did on the DS. Regardless of the Quality or Platform, it seems the mainstream does not want a top-down GTA. If I'm wrong, feel free to call me out on it when the NPD list with this game hits.

Bridge tolls?! You just drive right through the thing and hide for a few seconds!

This game has sold OK on the DS now, right? It's up to around 750,000 sales, and it hasn't even been released in Japan.

That'd put it ahead of games like Metroid Hunters, etc... Though I have no idea what would be considered good sales for a DS title, or a handheld GTA title.

Played some of this on DS, it was pretty good. Will buy the downloadable version for PSP. I hope the download is somewhat discounted from the retail version. $30 would be nice.

This game feels like GTA 3 could of been had they would stuck with the overhead view.

better gameplay than the ds version ha! i highly doubt that

*sniff

that made me shed a tear. talk about a burn oh my!

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GTA: Chinatown Wars losing nothing in PSP port

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (PSP)

Reader Comments (41)

Posted: Sep 18th 2009 4:55PM Cheesus Crust said

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