IGN UK and Computer and Video Games UK gave the game a 9.2/10, while Eurogamer gave it a perfect 10/10. The first review came in the from of an article in Official Nintendo Magazine, who awarded it with a 94%/100%.

The game was highly acclaimed across the board. You're given a map so that you know where people want to buy the drugs, which consists of six different types (Heroine, Cocaine, Acid, Ecstacy, Weed, and Downers). One way to make a hefty amount of cash is to know where to buy and sell drugs. The role of drugs in Chinatown Wars is more important than in previous titles. Surprisingly for a handheld title the game features various weather effects and a 24 hour cycle similar to the previous games in the series. This was a feature that wasn't present in the PSP's Vice City Stories. If you wish to replay a mission you've already completed, then you can do so by heading to the warehouse. It could also be due to the fact that one of critics' complaints of the PSP games were the long missions, which didn't fit for a handheld title. The missions in Chinatown Wars are shorter than those in the game's console counterparts, and are more arcade quality, though this is due to the game's portability (people tend to like to play portable games in short bursts). In the true GTA spirit, the game is separated by missions. Most of the features on the bottom screen are controlled via the stylus.

The top will focus on the main game, while the bottom touch screen will feature the PDA, GPS, radio, and other similar features.

The game makes use of the two DS screens. The game, like previous entries in the franchise, is a sandbox title, meaning you have complete freedom and can go almost anywhere in the city in an open world environment. The game features an imitation of the Liberty City from the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 video game Grand Theft Auto IV, albeit the abandonment of one of the islands (Alderney) and some other differences that are once again due to the limitations of the handheld. Unlike previous games in the series, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is a cel-shaded game, which is due to the Nintendo DS' graphical limitations. The game is seen from a bird's eye view, though the camera can be rotated if the player wishes.

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