Rockstar Games recently announced that Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for DS will hit stores shelves on March 17th in North America and then appear a few days later at European retailers on March 20th.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is a collaboration between Rockstar North, creators of Grand Theft Auto 4 and Space Station Silicon Valley, and Rockstar Leeds, co-developer of the PSP GTA games. Just like in Grand Theft Auto 4, players will have the freedom to cause mayhem in Liberty City, a fictional land that closely resembles New York City. The developers are working hard to make Chinatown Wars a full featured Grand Theft Auto with all the mature content one would expect, including drug dealing and a story centered on gangsters and revenge. Using the stylus, gamers will be able to hot wire cars, create tattoos, and use a PDA. In addition, the game is in full 3D using a top-down isometric view and a cel-shaded art style.

Rockstar Games Announces Release Date for Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for the Nintendo DS™

Critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto franchise makes its DS debut this March

New York, NY – December 15, 2008 - Rockstar Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), is proud to announce the release date for Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, the latest entry into the genre-defining Grand Theft Auto series. Developed by Rockstar Leeds, in conjunction with series creators Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will be available for the Nintendo DS™ on March 17 and 20, 2009 in North America and Europe, respectively.

"Rockstar Leeds have once again created a game that far exceeds our standard for deep and innovative entertainment," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. "We are incredibly excited to share this enormous and uncompromising Grand Theft Auto experience with DS fans."

Edge Magazine commented, "How does Rockstar follow Grand Theft Auto IV? By rebuilding Liberty City from the ground up on DS - and not compromising its vision one iota."

Nintendo Power added, "...it's undeniable that Chinatown Wars is doing something no other DS game has come close to: creating that living, breathing world the Grand Theft Auto games are known for."

For more information about Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, please visit: www.rockstargames.com/chinatownwars.