14 DAY TRIAL // The GoNintendo site reveals that the latest issue of Nintendo Power magazine will contain the first features and details about Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. The game is exclusively developed for the Nintendo DS and according to these new details, it will take full advantage of the unique traits of the handheld console. From the D-pad to the Wi-Fi connectivity, no feature is left untouched by the developers who harnessed the full power of the Nintendo, a great thing for the players, who will enjoy a gaming experience worthy of the GTA name.
First of all, it will be an M-rated game, portraying a cell-shaded, 3D story which unfolds in Liberty City. Equipped with an isometric point of view, it will take full advantage of the cell phone used in GTA IV and make a PDA-like user interface. It will show you all your stats in the game, act as a GPS and record email, contacts and music player options. The stats will have a major role, as they can be uploaded to the Rockstar Social Club, via the Wi-Fi connection.
In terms of the actual gameplay, Chinatown Wars will use the D-pad for aiming, with the option of auto targeting controlled by the R button. Other features will include different types of mini games, missions which are focused on much shorter objectives than GTA IV and real time weather effects coupled with a day and night cycle. Another modification was made to the wanted system, developers dumping the one from the console/PC version and opting for one where you need to disable the police cars.
The developers seem to have really tried to do their best for this game, with all the modifications looking very good and making complete sense. You can't compare a game developed for the next gen consoles or the PC with one for a handheld, but it definitely looks like GTA: Chinatown Wars will be a very good title.