GTA: Chinatown Wars PSP Impressions

Nicholas "bapenguin" Puleo September 9th, 2009 at 1:03 PM

Game Name: GTA: Chinatown Wars
Co-Op: Yes
Co-Op Type: Scenario Mission
Publisher/Developer: Rockstar Games (Publisher)/Rockstar Leeds (Developer)
Release Date: October 19th, 2009

Earlier this year Rockstar Games released GTA: Chinatown Wars on the Nintendo DS. Now several months later, they are bringing it back to the PSP, a system which housed to previous 3D GTAs. Instead of changing things up, the game is more of a directors cut version of the game. New hi-res graphics, additional missions, and a few other tweaks look to make this a solid port.

The touch screen was such an integral part of the DS version many wonder how it will work on the PSP. It's simple really - the game brings up a picture in picture view and replaces stylus swipes with analog stick movements. I got a chance to check out the car jacking and it was fairly easy; rotate the analog stick to unscrew the panel, and then hold the left and right bumpers to join the wires. That's it. In fact, I'd say I prefer this control method because you constantly aren't looking for a place to store the stylus while playing.

Graphically the game is a HUGE step up. Everything looks crisp and vibrant with no pixelated edges. Ambient and bloom lighting has been added to things like headlights and street lamps.

If there's one downside to the PSP version it's the quick access you have to data like the GPS, Email, and other functions which normally sat on the other screen. Instead it's been replaced with a XMB style menu that you'll have to pause to access. Not a big deal, but it is a minor sacrifice.

All the multi-player features will be returning, including the short co-op mode. Sadly - as of now - there's no additional cooperative options.

Is there enough here to warrant a pickup if you played through the DS version? Perhaps. Just looking at the game on the PSP's hi-res screen made me want to pick it up and play again. We'll see what happens when the game hits this October.

Tags: screenshots gta playstation portable pax 2009 preview

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20 Total Reader Comments

Syphous at 08:08 AM on 9.9.2009

Not a fan of handheld games, but this is one of the few I'd like to try.

roland at 08:11 AM on 9.9.2009

Oddly, the thing that interested me most about this was the drug dealing minigame. Dope Wars has been my favorite phone game that I have ever had.

COG_Network at 08:40 AM on 9.9.2009

Admiral Ackbar says...
I am always happy to see GTA news in the classic top down method (even though this is no 100% top down). I always thought that was a better format for GTA anyway...

Torg001 at 08:42 AM on 9.9.2009

Sounds like not having that second screen could grow to a problem if you need to access those menus a lot.

AliasRomanian at 08:51 AM on 9.9.2009

I liked the mini touch screen games on the DS but will probably be getting this as well since I'm a graphics whore through and through.

smurphster at 08:54 AM on 9.9.2009

i think that game is on every TI graphing calculator ever made. i never really got into it but it was fun.

i like the top-down too. the only thing i didn't like about the old games is it always took a bit to get used to turning the right direction since the camera doesn't turn with you. that and the bridges got annoying sometimes. otherwise i prefer the old top down GTA games. maybe i'm just being nostalgic.

blakepro at 09:21 AM on 9.9.2009

I heard they are also porting this to the iphone

Wackman3000 at 10:48 AM on 9.9.2009

I just got a psp and this will be the perfect little game to burn off some steam at work while on lunch break.

mattism at 11:26 AM on 9.9.2009

Never played a GTA game but this one looks to be interesting.

Rogue_hunter at 11:54 AM on 9.9.2009

It was nice hanging with Nick while the Rockstar PR guy explained about the "Director's Cut." The menu system has even been revamped, and roughly matches the XMB. Even thought it's the top down view like in GTA 1 and 2, it's still fully 3D rendered. Weapon aiming while driving also seemed really easy to pull off properly. I'm excited to have a new GTA game to play on my PSP!

Disgustipated at 12:38 PM on 9.9.2009

I loved the DS version, but I'm thinking the PSP version is going to be the 'definitive' version. It's amazing what they pulled off with the DS, though...

Psyclops at 12:51 PM on 9.9.2009

My friend said he was gonna buy two copies of this game. He says that all the time, so we can play game together that I don't want to spend money on, But only sometimes really means it, so we'll see.

Heretic Machine at 02:19 PM on 9.9.2009

I'm definitely going to try to pick this up. I didn't get the DS version as A) I have a PHAT, and the screen is way too dim; and B) I hate the stylus. I prefer my PSP.

Mrxknown_JG at 03:53 PM on 9.9.2009

This is one handheld game I'd get if I played handheld games

Nuhru at 07:26 PM on 9.9.2009

GTA 1 and 2 were the best ones and this one looks a lot like them.. so probably this one will be great too.

Tasark at 09:39 PM on 9.9.2009

I think GTA will transfer well to PSP. good idea

Zonf86 at 11:38 PM on 9.9.2009

Don't really play hand helds anymore

Etanos at 01:17 AM on 9.10.2009

It's always interesting and gratifying to see them finally stop trying to make the new games over-realistic and go back to the style of old games and what made them fun.

cave at 10:42 AM on 9.10.2009

Yes this looks awesome, so glad I waited on the DS version, now I can get a better version.

Arttemis at 08:38 PM on 9.10.2009

I got to play this game for about two minutes while waiting in line for the live demo of Red Dead Redemption.

The graphics look slick and it plays well without the stylus. I'm pretty intrigued by the analog stick replacement for the interactive portions.

Definitely a worthy PSP title!