The Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable (PSP) versions of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars include support for multiplayer modes, although limited to local Wi-Fi, meaning players must be physically together to play.
Multiplayer features are exclusive to these two versions and are not present in the mobile ports.
The game offers 6 competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes, along with trading systems that enable players to exchange weapons and drugs via Wi-Fi connectivity.
Multiplayer Game Modes
Single Race
Compete against your friend in a no-holds-barred race to the finish line on one of 20 different courses scattered around Liberty City.
In the Death Race variation of this mode you earn laps by killing your opponent instead of racing, and upgrades are littered throughout the course to help you gain a competitive edge over your opponent.
Options: Track, Vehicle, number of Laps, and whether to enable Death Race.
Season Race
Challenge your opponent to an entire season of races. Choose from 4 different seasons, each consisting of 5 individual races. The racer with the most points at the end of the season claims the Cup.
Options: Season, Vehicle, number of Laps, and whether to enable Death Race.
Stash Dash
Steal the van, deliver it, and stash the cash. Sounds simple - but your opponent wants the same van and the same cash.
Once you’ve taken control of the target van, you need to get it back to the safe house, all the while being chased and smashed by your opponent. The more the van is damaged, the less cash you get on delivery.
Options: Scenario (location), and Target Money.
Defend the Base
Team up in one of 8 co-operative scenarios and defend your turf against waves of enemy gang members. Enemies will attack specific targets, such as vehicles, and each wave will become progressively harder to eliminate.
Options: Scenario, Game Time, and Friendly Fire.
Liberty City Survivor
Kill or be killed! Square off against an opponent in five different scenarios that have players scrambling the city to take each other out in matches that can be set from 2 to 20 kills per game.
It is similar to the mode of the same name from GTA Liberty City Stories and takes its name from the fictional reality show featured in Grand Theft Auto III.
Options: Scenario (location), and Target Kills.
Gang Bang
Challenge your opponent’s gang to a turf war. This mode has you attacking or defending gang territory, and both players have a squad of armed gang members at their service to lend a hand.
Options: Scenario (location)
Multiplayer Extra Features
The game also includes an item trading system over local Wi-Fi and access to the Rockstar Social Club.
- Messenger: Message your friend over local wireless
- Weapon Trading: Trade firearms and ammunition with other players.
- Drug Trading: Exchange narcotics as part of the game's drug-dealing economy.
- Rockstar Social Club: Track progress, share your stats, and unlock two bonus missions.
Note: Rockstar Social Club features and unlocks for Chinatown Wars are no longer available as of May 31, 2014.
