Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars is an Action-Adventure video game developed by Rockstar Leeds and published by Rockstar Games. Set in Liberty City, a fictional New York City, the game tells the story of Wong Lee, a young Chinese-American gangster responsible for delivering an ancient sword to his uncle, Kenny Lee, the new leader of the Triad. However, things change when Wong Lee is ambushed, abandoned and the sword stolen. grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars' gameplay is a mix of driving, shooting and free exploration. However, the game is unique in that it is played from a top-down perspective, and one of the main features is its drug dealing mini-game, which allows players to buy and sell various types of drugs throughout the city. Players must buy drugs at low prices and then sell them at high prices in order to make a profit. However, players must also be careful to avoid being caught by the police or rival gangs, as this can result in fines or even death.

Another important game mechanic in Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars is the use of the touch screen on Nintendo DS and mobile devices. Players can use the touch screen to hack into security systems, connect cars with hotlines, and even assemble sniper rifles. This adds a level of interactivity to the game, which features a wide range of side activities and mini-games in addition to the main story missions. These activities include street racing, drug delivery and cab driving missions, as well as arcade-style games such as "Deadly Dinosaurs" and "Thief". These activities provide players with additional ways to earn money and experience, while adding to the overall immersion of the game world. The game also features a dynamic weather system, day and night cycles and a realistic physics engine, all of which help create a completely realistic and immersive game world. The game also features an impressive soundtrack with over 20 licensed tracks from a variety of artists.