title image

GTA: Chinatown Wars

Action

Ratings

Age

18+

Category

Games

Languages

English

Left for dead in the worst place in America, Huang Lee must navigate the underworld of Liberty City to recover an ancient sword and avenge his father. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars features a massive open world, deep mission variety, and unique touch-screen interactions. From high-speed chases to a deep economic simulation, it's a complete GTA experience designed specifically for mobile play.

Dinsun Expert Review

Our Expert Score

95/100

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is a technical marvel on mobile. Instead of trying to mimic the 3D console versions, Rockstar opted for a brilliant top-down perspective that feels like a love letter to the original GTA games, but with modern flair. The 'cel-shaded' aesthetic is sharp and helps the game run incredibly smooth even during chaotic police chases.

What really sets it apart is the touchscreen integration. Hot-wiring cars, assembling sniper rifles, and the infamous drug-dealing mini-game are all handled with tactile touch gestures that make the world feel interactive. The story is gritty, the writing is sharp, and Liberty City feels alive even in this smaller format. It is, without a doubt, one of the best 'full' gaming experiences available on a mobile device.

Dinsun reviewed on: Mon Feb 02 2026

Features

1

Epic storyline with dozens of side missions

2

Stunning cel-shaded graphics and top-down perspective

3

Customizable touch controls and controller support

4

Vast open-world Liberty City to explore

5

Interactive mini-games designed for touch

Tips & Walkthrough

Gameplays

Screenshot

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Q&A

Yes, it is the full game with updated high-definition graphics and optimized touch controls.

Ratings & Reviews

This Game Has Always Been Underrated
Tue Sep 24 2024 Epstein.Jeff

In my strong opinion, this has to be one of the best grand theft auto games the innovation that they had in this game was so ahead of its time not only did they go back to the original roots of the above Skyview play style, but they have so much stuff that they never had in this one that other grand theft auto series did not have the simple fact that they added mini games with different variants on how to steal vehicles is insane, especially for a game that was intended for handheld devices. You have the ability in this game to traffic drugs, and find weaponry inside of dumpsters like huh???? me personally, I am a big fan of this game specifically just due to the nostalgia. It gives me as a kid from when I first played it on Nintendo DS. I hope whoever is reading this who is considering getting this and that has never tried this game before give it a shot. It may be out of your comfort zone, but once you get used to the controls and understanding the game itself, I guarantee you will enjoy and love this game as much as I have throughout the years of having it this is my second time buying it for my iPhone unfortunately, my other iPhone had broke so I had to buy another copy of the game which it’s only five dollars. Could you imagine that a striking deal it’s worth the five dollars storyline I still haven’t beaten the game till this day but this time I’m gonna give it a shot, thank you very much to everyone at rockstar who had something to do with this game in specifics and I hope you guys know that you guys did an amazing job.

I am SO impressed by this top-down GTA game
Sat Apr 01 2023 Stevrev59

I never particularly liked the original GTA and GTA II too down games in the franchise, so I had always been hesitant to try this one. But after recently playing and beating GTA III, Vice City, San Andreas, and Liberty City Stories (getting 100% completion on them all except III) I had to try this one out. And let me say I LOVE IT. I love the cel-shaded graphics, the game looks so cool and charming. I love that the game upholds mature themes despite having been made for a Nintendo portable console originally and it makes clever use of the touch screen compatibility for unique gameplay and features. This game is awesome. Rockstar really blessed us by making these games on iOS and I am going to be so sad when I no longer have any other ones to beat and master. Give us Vice City Stories on mobile, Rockstar!!

Superb. Five stars except for very rare crash/restart incidents
Sun May 12 2024 Hominid22

This game holds up extremely well since it’s 2009 release. As far as story goes, it is good; well written, distinguishable characters, progression is a bit slow compared to other mobile game but I won’t knock it because I like a story that takes time to build and has a lot of variables floating up in the air. Just wanted to mention that for anyone looking for a quick fix. In my experience this game is decent at first then becomes good and is borderline great at the current moment. I have a lot of respect for the quality of the content. The map feels enormous for a mobile game (maybe I’m just old lol) and it is packed with extras. Also, Pro-Tip for just the old souls, if you enjoy the aesthetic of black and white movies then play this in black and white! It looks so good. (If you don’t know then do this: go to your accessibility settings and after going into that scroll down until you see the use color filters option. Select that and change your display to Black and White cause this game KICKSASS in that aesthetic. ) Might be a classic man I really like but haven’t finished it yet so can’t speak on it but felt obliged to leave a review because I’m having such a good time on it. There are some bugs and glitches tho. Occasionally the game will crash and one time I got into a car that I had stolen previously but was in the games mind mine now and I got busted and had hella dope on me.

Very nice GTA game as a spinoff
Mon Jun 16 2025 BZXJ85

I was a fan of GTA franchise in my childhood, playing GTA 3, Vice City and San Andreas. And I haven’t touched GTA games for so many years. But this time, Chinatown wars gives me a great game experience. Chinatown wars is relatively lightweight and simple comparing with the main entries in the franchise, without advanced graphics, gameplay and animations. However, as a 2.5D and nostalgic game, it delivers a fantastic story and unique gameplay based on touching control, which is very suitable for mobile devices. And the Chinese American culture in the game is also interesting and unique in the franchise. In conclusion, if other 3D or HD games in GTA franchise are like big feast with steaks, turkeys, and other greasy foods, then Chinatown wars is like a plate of salad. It’s not that delicious, but is healthy and still nice.

Incredibly fun for the price
Thu Jul 03 2025 Guthix429

This game is $5 — play through a few hours of the story to unlock the map and weapons, then go have fun dealing drugs and discovering the insane map. Driving in this game is like no other. Incredibly fun and easy to learn with opportunities for skillful tricks saving tons of time. What’s most unique is that you can crash into cop cars to get them to stop chasing you! Ie if you have 3* wanted level, you can crash 3 cop cars to get down to a 2* position, then 2 to get down to 1*, then 1 to eliminate the threat. The player doesn’t need to just hide or pay’n’spray. Overall, extremely underrated title and likely some of the most fun I’ve had on my iPad.

Great game, my personal favorite GTA
Sat Jul 30 2016 Moody curl gurl

I love GTA Chinatown Wars, and it's nice to see that it's been kept up to date. I've played through this game a couple of times—on my PSP, and the on my iPod touch. Now I'm playing on my new iPad, but something kind of bugs me. The PSP version had noticeably better graphics than the iOS version at the time. While that isn't quite the case now (as the iOS version can run at much higher, crisper resolutions), the PSP version still has better lighting effects. Night had a great atmosphere in the PSP version, especially during police chases. In this version, night just feels flat. The lack of the lighting effects that are in the PSP version doesn't make much sense to me considering how much more powerful iOS devices are compared to it, but oh well. Would be great if those were added in.

I’m honestly surprised
Fri Jan 13 2023 TemperInferno69

I’m playing this on an iPhone 13 and it’s running beautifully. I took caution when reading the reviews and seeing a lot of people having problems getting the game to work. I can safely say that through my entire play thru, I have not had any crashes or bugs that were game breaking. I have my reluctance with the other GTA games being on mobile because of the controls but this game fits perfectly within a touch screen platform. I recommend this GTA on iOS and believe Rockstar should expand on this idea in the future. There’s potential to making a good GTA top down mobile game.

Great story!! ( especially at the end ) and very unique GTA
Sun Feb 11 2018 Polish_Bullets

GTA Chinatown Wars is one of my favorite games the story is really good it’s different from other GTA’s it’s fun trading drugs and driving is difficult at first but when you get the hang of it you’ll enjoy all the other unique things that other GTA’s don’t have. In my opinion it’s much more playable then other GTA’s for iPhone such as San Andreas it’s to annoying to shoot and walk or do anything but Chinatown wars is very playable and fun it was definitely worth it

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