Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars review - ColourShed

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Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars review
Platform: Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, Mobile
Release Year: 2009
Developer: Rockstar Leeds, Rockstar North
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Genre: Open-world, Action-Adventure
► Music (in order):
"Melanie Mallard Theme"
"Chan Jaoming Theme"
"Hsin Jaoming Theme"
"Intro Cutscene Theme" by Ghostface Killah & MF Doom
"Wu 'Kenny' Lee Theme"
"Wade Heston Theme"
"Zhou Ming Theme"
"Street Rhapsody" by DJ Freedem
"Higher Powered" by Audio Hertz
"Two Face" by Causmic
"Chinatown Wars (Instrumental)" by Ghostface Killah and MF Doom
► Gameplay, audio, and images from:
ESRB
Gamespot
Kojima Productions
Konami
Nintendo
Palarium Games
Polyphony Digital
Remedy Entertainment
Rockstar Games
Sega
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Vivendi Games
► KZbin videos used:
"Drome Racers (GBA 2003)" by The Rarest Gamer
• Drome Racers (GBA 2003)
"Grand Theft Auto - GBC Longplay/Walkthrough #20 [720p]" by Longplay Universe
• Grand Theft Auto - GBC...
"Grand Theft Auto Advance - GBA | Longplay | Walkthrough #4 [4Kp60]" by Longplay Universe
• Grand Theft Auto Advan...
"GTA: Chinatown Wars - Full Game Longplay Walkthrough (Nintendo DS Gameplay)" by NeoGamer - The Video Game Archive
• GTA: Chinatown Wars - ...
"GTA: Chinatown Wars Official Trailer" by GTA Series Videos
• GTA: Chinatown Wars Of...
"Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition Trailer" by Xbox
• Grand Theft Auto: The ...
"Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars Trailer & Gameplay" by adsamcik
• Grand Theft Auto: Chin...
"Longplay of Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!" by LongplayArchive
• Longplay of Brain Age:...
"Manhunt 2 Gameplay (Wii)" by Barry Dunne
• Manhunt 2 Gameplay (Wii)
"Max Payne Advance (GBA) Longplay [351]" by Diamond Longplays
• Max Payne Advance (GBA...
"Midnight Club: Street Racing Gameplay (GBA)" by GamePlay Raw
• Midnight Club: Street ...
"Nintendogs: Dalmatian & Friends Playthrough Part 1" by Japancommercials4U2
• Nintendogs: Dalmatian ...
"Smuggler's Run 2: Hostile Territory (PS2 Gameplay)" by GXZ95
• Smuggler's Run 2: Host...

[@ColourShedProductions]

Install Raid for Free ✅ IOS/ANDROID/PC: clcr.me/T1xljn and get a special starter pack 💥 Available only for the next 30 days

[@Ar1AnX1x]

Raid sucks but I'm glad you're getting the bag

[@Jupa]

@@Ar1AnX1x realness always respect the hustle

[@bobthebuilder9509]

@@Ar1AnX1x Man deserves the money for the quality videos he makes, yeah

[@MrDowntemp0]

Ugh. This is disappointing to see here.

[@BowpainBoki]

i dare you to actually review the game

[@gamemonster7]

the drug deal minigame in this game is the best, I remember waiting for random emails for the best deals :D

[@Channel9iNE]

It's a real shame this minigame hasn't been brought to rockstars recent titles

[@Yodagamer1]

@@Channel9iNE I was also disappointed we haven't seen the police system brought back too. I loved wrecking cops to reduce the wanted level.

[@videogamenoob100]

I remember when I was young playing this I didn't even know what drugs were but I just knew selling them made me a lot of money 😂😂🤣

[@giorgiorahmani6472]

@@Channel9iNE you’d be glad to know that the recent update of gta online will drip feed dealers into the game who you can sell dr*gs to, essentially a smaller scale version of gtacw’s dr*g dealing minigame

[@cerbyrus7648]

10 year old me never completed the story i spent all my time dealing drugs cause it made more then the story lol

[@rakim5894]

This game was my introduction to drug dealing when I was 10 years old, I knew then it was the profession I wanted to do as my lifelong career.

[@yourworldsavingsdotcomyour5552]

lol

[@WhosThatFella]

I’m glad you got to take something positive from this supposedly negative violent game

[@therealpizzagirl]

I love this game SO much. It’s so underrated. Not only is it amazing as a mobile/handheld game, but it’s amazing as a GTA game in general. Thank you for reviewing this!!!!!

[@flamespittinported13b6]

Cutscenes are the best thing about the game

[@wedabestmovement]

This was my first ever GTA game and I was only 9 years old ever since then I loved every GTA game since then

[@mursaleensaleem1806]

@@flamespittinported13b6 true the art is dope

[@Knouch]

this game on the DS was a big part of my youth, perhaps played it more than any other GTA. Really love to see it reviewed by you!

[@WARNEY2K9]

Same g

[@ThatSimsGirl0]

Same wish it was on Xbox tbh

[@mordaciousfilms]

That GBA port of Max Payne looks insanely impressive for the time and hardware.

[@neellavgogoi]

Ikr it's so fun to shoot and kill

[@demounit]

it was a really fun game back in the day

[@Haywood-Jablomie]

Fully voiced and 80% of the same stages of the full version

[@Huss_D]

For real! It looked really good.

[@joshlewis4151]

O😊

[@adventurouseddie9369]

Something you missed is the scratch cards you can buy at specific locations, you can win money, weapons and if I remember correctly a safe house in Algonquin. Also you can stash your ill gotten goods at your safe house so you don't lose anything. You can also buy more property across the city to stash your supplies.

[@smokey-smore]

Gta Chinatown is my favorite so much more details imagine if all the mini games were a part of gta 5 that’s what I want

[@clumsygarage1578]

You just brought back so many memories I had of this game. I remember the police chases, the secret go kart, the drug dealing. It really still seems like it still holds up.

[@abhishekdey6983]

Such an awesome game... rest in peace Gordon Hall, founder of Rockstar Leeds

[@sentinel06]

I remember thinking that a 2.5D style GTA would flop on the PSP then it turned out to be my favorite among the three. One of my favorite portable games.

[@dylan.t180]

Also, there was a glitch in the PSP version, where every time you drove a cop car into your garage. You would get shotgun shells using glitch was super handy to be able to stop the Armond transport and kill most enemies

[@CosmicKangaroo]

When they announced Chinatown Wars for PSP, I remember getting so excited cause I loved VCS and LCS. Since I didn't have a PS3/360 it was incredible being able to experience the GTA 4 version of Liberty City for the first time. I was initially disappointed that it was still isometric like the DS version but I played it to death.

[@OnlinePersonafication]

3:26 Unfortunately back in early 2021, Gordon Hall from Rockstar Leeds passed away at the age of 51. He certainly left a special touch to the Grand Theft Auto formula.

[@JinWBO]

Amazing review! I've never played CTW so it was great to learn all about it! You're one of my favourite reviewers!

[@Haywood-Jablomie]

I always thought it's hilarious how he looks like a Chinese Will Smith

[@maylabrown4584]

Don't disrespect Huang like that

[@DaveyJones-cj4xg]

I can't unsee it now

[@Haywood-Jablomie]

@@DaveyJones-cj4xg 🎵 🎶 🎵 "Girl, look what you've done to me... made, me hump a monkee ..." 🎵 🎵 wait... what were the lyrics again ?

[@toshineon]

Regarding the intro part about the technical specs of the GameCube, I believe storage was actually the main issue with why games couldn't easily be ported to it. The actual specs in terms of CPU, RAM and GPU was about on par with the competing consoles.

[@MrDmoney156]

Stronger than the PlayStation 2 to be exact but i also think the controller would've been another issue as well.

[@mortenera2294]

They could've used two discs, but why even bother at that point?

[@MrDmoney156]

@@mortenera2294 I can see San Andreas needing two discs. Disc 1 can serve for Los Santos & Red County Disc 2 can serve for San Ferro, Desert, and Las Venturas

[@mortenera2294]

@@MrDmoney156 Nah bro, it wouldn't be enough anyway. A GameCube disc is about 1.4GB (If you don't fill it with useless padding data)

[@MrDmoney156]

@@mortenera2294 isn't san andreas about around 2.3GB on og PS2/Xbox versions?

[@justsomeguy747]

I think that Chinatown wars could have been a much more successful game if it was like the Stories’ games in terms of gameplay and portrayal of the storyline. Chinatown wars is a unique game, even if I didn’t play it to begin with, based on my experience with it. The story seems interesting, it’s a follow up of GTA 4, you play as a Chinese gangster, and it has unique mechanics. The Stories games were great because they explored many characters from the original games on a familiar map. CW followed an entirely new set of characters but characters that were interestingly mentioned in the GTA 4 Police Database. This game could have been very successful it should have received the Stories treatment.

[@mr_swordkilla24]

Gta 4 stories

[@bigman88george3]

0:39 no no no, the GameCube was much more powerful than the PS2.

[@TheSuckoShow]

My favorite story out of the whole series. I love that it's all about a cheap souvenir sword, but it's the principle of the thing. I love the car combat, too. Someone compared it to Micro Machines meets Blues Brothers.

[@bigthink954]

I remember playing GTA:CTW from start to finish on my sister’s iPhone 3. I had lots of fun memories playing this game. One of the first games I ever played where I finished the entire story. I remember I was so young at the time I didn’t know that I was a drug dealer lol, I thought I was some guy selling leaves (weed), firecrackers (acid), and razor blades (coke) for a profit.

[@curiousmind_]

I just recently replayed this gem. It's a load of fun and truly a well crafted game. My favorite is the PSP version although the mini games are arguably better on Nintendo DS.

[@mitchjames9350]

The GameCube was more powerful than the PS2, it’s only limiting factor was its mini dvd. I want a sequel to Chinatown Wars or an enhanced port with the last island included and new story content.

[@shiveshsingh3169]

I always love this little fact that all the other mainline GTA games have speaking characters but a purely orchestral theme. GTA CTW on the other hand has all silent characters but a voiced main theme song. That's a nice play on the usual and goes on to exemplify how unique CTW is among the other GTA Titles. Rockstar truly treated it as a proper game, and not just as a lazy cash grab. Truly how the times have changed.

[@MR.BONES007]

I used to play the drug mini game on the bus I remember kids would look over the seat to see a briefcase full of cocain and they would say what are you doing? and I would say shut the fuck up I'm trying to sell coke . good times

[@maxim196]

Lmao you sound like a great friend to be around ....no sarcasm

[@ItsMuggy]

I recently beat this game on my modded Nintendo Switch and playing this game in 2x resolution on my TV and on the go was awesome to have. Great review!

[@akunz5267]

What emulator you using? How do you play the touchscreen minigame on your tv?

[@danielr.7062]

@@akunz5267 He's probably playing the PSP version, not the DS version, so no need to worry about touchscreen stuff. For PSP emulators, there's only PPSSPP. For DS there's MelonDS and Desmume.

[@akunz5267]

@@danielr.7062 How well Nintendo Switch run ppsspp emulator?

[@danielr.7062]

@@akunz5267 it runs fine. PPSSPP is very light on resources as long as you don't run the game at 6x resolution or something like that. PPSSPP is available for Android as well and basically all phones these days can run most of the PSP library at 1x resolution.

[@smokealotapotamus_104]

"Ps Vita with a surprising high number of classics" in other words "I bought a modded Vita and just saw how many games were on it" lol

[@abdelali9279]

using the touchscreen in the DS was really good the map appeared large and aiming the molotovs with that was quite easy, btw the drug deal minigame, I wasted so much time with that but I found it so captivating, waiting for deals for very cheap sales and then waiting for another deal of someone desperate to get your product at a higher price and you felt like a freaking kingpin, man, this game was genius!

[@senorlechuga8832]

Man, this game was good. I remember one friend of mine bringing his PSP out and everyone taking turns on the scratch cards to get him the free house lol

[@EXiLExJD]

IDK why you didn't just emulate the PSP version with PPSSPP, would've made capturing a lot easier and it could look better as well with upscaling and whatnot.

[@YellowBriefs]

He puts 0 effort in the visuals tbh, I get that he wants to play the games as they were intended but it's annoying having to watch 240p content most of the time when he could easily emulate most old games or play the PC versions when available.

[@BootsWDaSpurs]

GTA CTW was the very first GTA game I'd ever played. my grandma bought it for me on my Nintendo DS when I was like 8 or 9

[@GamingAnimator1]

Gamecube is more powerful than the ps2 though. So I never understood why the trilogy wasn't ported to it.

[@tranwc]

Love this game! The only GTA game I’ve played! Bought it as a 34 yr old dad with a Nintendo ds. 😅

[@FayeHunter]

Chinatown Wars theme is incredibly good. (As long as you're okay with rap music) It's so catchy, brutal, and not just a random song picked out for it.

[@lucifer-ic9th]

Its painful to know that most people skipped this one because it is truly a masterpiece in every single aspect.

[@lillordakira9752]

I strongly hope that the drug dealing minigame makes a comeback in GTA 6.

[@TheVoiceOfChaos]

I think the ds version did the touchscreen prompted minigames really well. My faviourite was going to the gas station and having to fill up bottles with gasoline, it was hard because of the fluid sim but holy shit they had fluid sim on a ds and that blew my little mind back in the day.

[@Jakuzziful]

I most liked the part when he said „Rockstar Leeds; first formed in 1997 as Morbius Entertainment“

[@BlueShift2000]

They should re-release it for the Switch, current Gens and the PC. I like that game and i don't care what people say about it.

[@SaiyanEuc]

Best drug dealing game ever, had a great time with this even though I was sort of expecting a "real 3d" GTA at the time, got it anyway and it's crazy how close it really comes. Amazing game.

[@Yodagamer1]

My favorite portable grand theft auto game tbh. Outside of the homebrew ports of gta 3/VC/ sa on vita

[@huh-9494]

Chinatown wars prolly has the most mini game/side missions ever in a gta game.

[@michaelwesten4624]

this was one of the better games to play on your phone. better framerate, better screen, more crispy graphics. and for free. when you pirated it, because I ain't payin' rockstar jack sh...

[@behic5010]

I mean I love this game but something had always irritated me about the characters. They've killed Ling Shan so fast. She was funny, sexy and sarcastic, could've been a great sidekick character where you can take missions with.

[@Grandmastergav86]

Excellent game, one of the best handheld titles I've ever played. Loved all the little gimmicks like undoing screws etc. EDIT those little burp sounds you highlighted were from the first GTA, I forgot about that lmfao

[@soap07230]

I've been waiting so long for this, and yt stopped recommending me your videos and suddenly boom!

[@Ruftinator]

I absolutely adore this game! Played it through my R4 card back in the day and I'm not sure how freaking much time I've spent playing it. Such a bummer that textures are borked on the mobile port (at least on iOS but I imagine it's the same on Android). The drug dealing is an awesome feature too! I probably spent an unhealthy amount of time doing that in Chinatown Wars and actually felt proud crossing the 100k, 200k, and so forth marks on my bank account

[@MrBrewskiDrewski]

I remember having the free version on my iPad, and that only had the first three or so missions in the game. Not half bed for a mobile game, from what I remember.

[@jakubmichniewicz343]

Well the begining is pretty long long cutscenes and you can’t skip the opening so not even three missions.. i was nearly done with that first Pursuit mission when 30min. expired

[@chronic_johnson_a.r.a.b]

This and IV are my favourite GTAs. Which is weird, because I remember being tired of the Liberty City setting being overused. V tried to strike a balance between San Andreas and IV (in terms of realism and over the top fun), but couldn't reach the heights of either of those games in my opinion.

[@LotsOfToubleUsuallySerious]

The best thing of these portable Rockstar titles is that they bring great aspects from all games before and then condense it all into a handheld. Having a mixture of several good elements from GTAs 1 - 4 or Midnight Clubs 1 - 3 in a portable device is just a blessing of gaming gods

[@claudiobizama5603]

Aw man you could have gone more over the top with Raid ad, but I get it. Chinatown is really unique and makes me want more isometrical/semi topdown perspective GTA games, it was so weird to play a GTA on a DS, it felt out of place but at the same time it fit really well once you start the game.

[@claudiobizama5603]

Btw, you don't have a PSP? Those are compatible with AV output. But I guess it doesn't matter anymore, a modded PSVitaTV is way better.

[@CW-yp9jo]

Good to see a new vid by you I hope you’re doing well, I tried to play CTW on an emulator but I ran into graphical issues so it’s perfect that you’d release a review on the game.

[@AbeyantHero]

Totally wanted folks to cover this title, super hyped when I saw its notifications Thx ColourShed

[@koivids_]

W take ranking Chinatown Wars higher the Stories games. I've always held that opinion and have always gotten side-eyed for it, if they've even heard or played of CTW at all lmao

[@K113-A]

Ah GTA: CTW. That drug mini game was fun, especially since you need to remember which gangs has which supplies. This game was unique, even today

[@Sagan_Blandard20XX]

Playing this on my Vita after a couple of bowls is heaven. Incredible game. Oddly, I find the world more lifelike than most open world games. An HD remake would be so wonderful.

[@MassTrucker92]

I bought a psp just to try this game. I always hated the over the top view, but in this game I could deal with it because of how enjoyable the game is. I haven't beaten it yet but had fun playing it so far. Great review btw.

[@AlexWJ93]

Before I had my own money, I’d always play the demo app of this on my iPod. Then when I could afford it, I got it for an iPad, and playing it on holiday was the best feeling at the time. Being away from my Xbox, but still getting to explore liberty city?

[@farminglover444]

this game is amazing i’m 31 still playing this game it always feels like we are in hug open world where is alot things to do. Love Ctw❤

[@renaigh]

my favourite thing to do in this game was complete Odd Jobs, also picking up the Chainsaw from the construction site.

[@yukijudai9587]

I hope the dealing mini game makes some sort of comeback in GTA VI. Really nice review of this little gem!

[@Nuggz_TV]

Ayoo one of my fav video analysis youtuber and one of my fav games, amazing combo

[@timgladiator101]

And here I was thinking the GTA Series on this Channel was dead, Gospeed Spencer!!!!

[@farminglover444]

*you can also change aim in mobile like one target to next target like psp just 2x tap on mobile walking analogue icon* to change target 🎯

[@HelalMoon235]

When I saw a restaurant having people line up outside while a bodyguard checks he's list was mi d blowing for a game like these

[@JK061996]

Nice, I was waiting for this review

[@Dr.SamLoomis]

I've been on the fence for 13 years waiting for your review

[@connorpearson7513]

Spent hundreds of hours on this on the Nintendo DS, beat it on at least 3 or 4 occasions due to the game corrupting my save files but honestly what a game

[@steveosk8s]

Also, the mobile version is actually the best version. All the graphical improvements of the psp version but also the touch controls for the mini games like the ds version. The touch buttons are adjustable and work fine but also supports controllers. It's the only game where I'd say this for too.

[@zaxlorax7605]

Yup. I also have to agree

[@StreetDrilla]

the game doesnt work on IOS. Also by the time it stops working nothing to do about it since rockstar doesnt care. The GTA mobile games are on a limit.

[@VideosWithNexus]

The mobile version is unfortunately the ds version, the psp has the best lighting effects 🤩

[@BullworthGraduate]

@@VideosWithNexus - Not to mention extra missions.

[@spasmionka]

colourShed and GTA - runtime 28 mins ... I'm going to sleep relaxed af

[@TheRealSashMan]

Wake up babe, There's a new colourshed video we need to watch it asap

[@6ch6ris6]

i'm pretty sure the GTA games would have been possible on the gamecube. the gamecube was the second most powerful console at that time (xbox first, ps2 third and dreamcast fourth). only isue would have been the smaller mini-dvds the gamecube was using, but the gamecube had other massive games like metroid prime.

[@mikemoss6045]

I remember being hyped for this game just because it was a return to the top down viewpoint I remember as a kid.

[@DPedroBoh]

Love this game, played all versions im pretty sure. DS, PSP and then Android as the years were passing by.

[@Des_Zee]

Chinatown Wars for the DS was the game that made me buy a Nintendo console for the first time. I think it's the most charming GTA game plus it was fun.

[@tytyguy1able]

I'm surprised this didn't come to switch. I'd play it again

[@gabrielarenas2067]

I really love your review style. Just something different and informative than most. I'd really like to see you review the Hitman games.

[@CyborgSodaCollects]

One of the best games that most haven't played. It's on iOS and Android. Wish Rockstar updated their mobile games.

[@Cracky003]

Grand Theft Auto Advance isn't a lazy port. It's a fully original campaign. The cars can roll over and stuff, it has a speedometer which is cool.... Idk it's pretty good. Even when I replayed it during the pandemic it was fun.

[@thesegaguy6279]

Still in my top 5 for the GTA series. I got both the DS and PSP versions on their launch days in high school.

[@rezcellent]

This games so underrated I love the dealing and touch screen mini games. Especially lotto tickets 😂

[@BM-wh5qk]

Since they shut off wifi for the DS, isn't a bunch of endgame stuff inaccessible now?

[@Ryan-tm5uu]

Absolutely loved this game, used to play it all the time on the DS, great review!

[@DraculaXHunter101]

The game that made me rebuy a Nintendo DS on the spot. Literally this, New Super Mario Bros and a Nintendo DSi made that summer so much fun! Chinatown Wars was nothing short of an amazing experience. The Drug Dealer minigame needs to return in GTA VI.

[@maylabrown4584]

Huang is an amazing GTA Protagonist, in the Top 3 with Niko Bellic and Carl Johnson for me.

[@whooshwhoosh7368]

I used to play this game all the time, it had such a fun rampage mode. I miss these old DS games

[@BallinLikeMike23]

I remember playing this game on the bus to middle school on my iPod touch. 😊

[@tomthegat]

Awesome review man I love Chinatown Wars it's gotta be one of the most unique game I have ever played

[@MXOY99]

I'm so glad I watched this. Feel like playing it again.

[@MrDmoney156]

lol right? same

[@TurboPro9952]

Lets go!!! Colorshed's BACK!!!!

[@tachometer-flac]

I don't know if you played a remake or the GoG release, but I remember in the original GTA 2 when the car would speed up the camera would zoom out so you can see more. It wouldn't stay zoomed in like that. I'm only defending GTA 2 because it was my favorite of them all. I like that when the story was complete you can steal cars, sell them, continue by working for yourself.

[@JohnMichaelGadier]

Lowkey. Didn't expect you'll make this video. 🤣

[@_mrnelson_]

Thank you for this review. I absolutely loved this game. I have played it on Nintendo DS, psp, psvita, my phone, and even my iPad.

[@Space_Reptile]

Chinatown wars was my first GTA, and man i still play it from time to time as its just fun

[@iamgoneforeverbye]

dude i have so much nostala from this the last time i play this game was in 2012 its my favorite gta game

[@Soap029]

finally you are back

[@GNFNR]

I swear that red cross in the thumbnail is the same one used in red dead 1 for dead eye

[@blazeseraz8330]

I bought this game for the da several months ago and still haven’t gone around to finish it, now I’m motivated…. As long I Finish the story of Red dead redemption… In any way, this was wonderful and can’t wait for your next video Also God the psvita still looks gorgeous

[@hasnainsoofi8088]

Great video as always. You have the best video game reviews (my opinion). Will you do reviews for the prince of Persia series? Also keep up the good work.

[@thabreez456]

Ok but a minor correction is that Nintendo’s GameCube is more than capable of running the 3d gta games. In fact the GameCube is actually more powerful than the ps2 just look at Resident Evil 4. There are two things that prevented Rockstar from making ports for the GameCube. 1. The Proprietary Discs of the GameCube, made it Hard to develop ports from one console to another. 2. Sony has acquired a exclusivity deal with Rockstar after GTA 3 to have the next mainline entries on the console. The Xbox ports came way later on. By then GameCube support was very poor so Rockstar didn’t see the need to develop for it.

[@markolol1238]

Hell yeah! Another review.