GTA: Chinatown Wars jacks over 74,000 in April

DS debut of Rockstar series sees only mild drop from approximately 88,000-unit March sales; analyst predicts title should sell around 20,000-30,000 units going forward.

Despite being thebest average score of any DS game on Metacritic, the critically hailed Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars stumbled out of the gate. In the two weeks after its March 17 debut, the game sold fewer than 88,000 units--far below analyst predictions ranging from 200,000-400,000 units. As a result, many retailers began marking the game down, a move that made its April performance in the US market critical, according to Jesse Divnich, director of analyst services at Electronic Entertainment Design and Research (EEDAR).

"If it does below 40,000 units, then it's following a curve much like topline PS3 and 360 releases which quickly tapers off," Divnich said of the game. "If it does above 40,000, then it will be more like a DS game and will see steady sales for months to come. So April sales are going to be incredibly important for this game."

Now, following its release of last month's US sales numbers, the NPD Group has confirmed that Chinatown Wars sales dipped only slightly. The game sold just over 74,000 units during the month, down from just under 88,000 the previous reporting period. Based on the game's two-month performance, Divinch expects the game to sell between 20,000-30,000 units per month domestically for an extended period, emulating the flat-but-steady trend of other DS titles.

Divnich also told GameSpot that gamers shouldn't expect Chinatown Wars to remain a bargain-bin fixture. "Typically retailers try to order six to eight weeks of sales orders at a time, but the game was a new style of game for the DS. The confusion came when Take-Two and retailers applied a very similar sales expectation like a console GTA or your core AAA titles. So Take-Two and retailers kind of panicked when they got the initial figures, so that's why we saw all these initial discounts."

57 Comments

  • logos12thman

    Posted Jun 3, 2009 2:50 pm PT

    If it's theres a discount still I'll buy it

  • spenten

    Posted Jun 1, 2009 8:46 pm PT

    this game is so cool I love jacking cars that are driving by and sniping people

  • atomD21

    Posted May 30, 2009 4:47 am PT

    Everyone who played my copy of the game when I got it at launch went out and bought their own copy. This game is awesome! I spend hours just conducting "business" with some of the fine back alley entrepeneurs in the game and driving around. Not to mention the fun that can be had with the chainsaw and a bunch of people walking down the street!

  • beny_pimpster

    Posted May 27, 2009 11:11 pm PT

    LOL moral lesson nintendo: dont release consoles that can do piracy LOL no worries all my game wares are authentic.. except pc games wahahahaha

  • anber500

    Posted May 27, 2009 3:49 am PT

    For the first time in Months, my Xbox 360 is gathering dust. I'm loving the game. Not only is the game impressive, but also the hand held / PC / Internet functionality. You can go to Rock Star's website, register at the socialclub, play little Flash games to earn money, sync your Chinatown Wars scores, and receive money in the game that you earned from the website. Brilliant! You can also compare scores and stats with friends. Very similar to Xbox live, but for your DS

  • CwlHeddwyn

    Posted May 26, 2009 7:33 am PT

    the Nintendo DS is really affected by Piracy- that's why the DSi was brought because it cant play pirated ROMs. I wouldn't be surprised if hundreds of thousands of pirate Chinatown Wars are out there right now.

  • dan_the_menace

    Posted May 24, 2009 9:28 pm PT

    i hope this game does well in the long run. it trully is a remarkable DS title, up there among the other GTA titles.

  • dzimm

    Posted May 24, 2009 6:19 am PT

    It's ironic that people are always whining that not enough mature games are released for Nintendo consoles, and when one actually is released, it's a sales disaster.

  • suffering-evil

    Posted May 23, 2009 6:43 pm PT

    Definetly my favorite GTA yet!!!!!! I agree with Micropixel and jivemaster!!! Definetly the best DS game out right now. No way this game flops i just got the game a couple of weeks ago and couldn't put it down, i beat it in 10 days!!!!

  • Micropixel

    Posted May 21, 2009 4:16 am PT

    This game is FAR too good to flop. In the long run, GTA CW will leave it's mark. And it will be a lasting impression.

  • intro94

    Posted May 20, 2009 5:35 pm PT

    ds games sell like ds games. Not even GTA is gonna change that.They sell well and fine over time.Specially now that GTA isnt really bringing new stuff to the table(even tho GTA CW innovated a lot of the gameplay). Comparing GTA CW advertisement and production costs(not to mention its large competition) with GT4 expenses and promotion is flat out lunacy.

  • jivemaster

    Posted May 20, 2009 2:27 am PT

    It's a great game, and people should buy it. Not just because it's a technical achievement for the DS, but because it is real good fun once you get into it. The stylus mini-games make the package even stronger. It's my favourite GTA yet.

  • taddia

    Posted May 20, 2009 1:25 am PT

    well.. if the pirated rom of the game wouldn't had been on the net like 3 days before the game was shipped to the shops... this would've not been happening. 8( i'm sure the sales will be steady for months to come tho, this will be just like prof layton or nintendogs.

  • BrutalPandaX2 posted May 19, 2009 9:59 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    BrutalPandaX2

    Posted May 19, 2009 9:59 pm PT (hide)

    drug dealing, shemale whores, over-exaggerated crazy asians, i'm finished with the game and i can't say i like it.
    grand theft auto 4 is a classic but this is just bad. the gameplay is nice but the storyline is really bad. it even has similar scenarios as gta 4. the characters here are so exaggerated.
    dialogue is obvious and has no subtext, the game has no feeling except a dirty one. i feel like i walk into the gimp scene in pulp fiction every time i picked this up. definitely not the best game on DS and doesn't deserve the highest rating.

  • thps48 posted May 19, 2009 7:05 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    thps48

    Posted May 19, 2009 7:05 pm PT (hide)

    Nintendo blew it up! Hardcore gamers and long-time fans just bolted from Nintendo's circle once Nintendo targeted casual gamers. Oh sure, they say they go for everyone, but the flow of OUR games just. stopped. dead! So, of course Chinatown Wars' sales are super crazy tepid. Someone should tell Nintendo that if we can't shoot everyone in a game we'll do it in real life. It's definitely been done before.

  • nate1222

    Posted May 19, 2009 2:23 pm PT

    @-Squirrel-

    I've wanted to see that FOREVER. A GTA for the Wii. Rockstar can go cel-shaded to make the graphics easy on the eyes (it works in CTW) and make the GameCube and Classic Controllers optional. It would breathe some much needed new life into my Wii. Especially, seeing as how I mostly use Wii for the VC. I only have 2 Wii games, 8 GC games and 32 VC games.

  • nate1222

    Posted May 19, 2009 2:15 pm PT

    I own GTA CTW and I love it. It's 1 of THE reasons to own a DS. I hope like Hell it sells well, as it would encourage devs to crank out more goodies. I also acknowledge Nintendo's oft-kiddy image can be damaging. I have a wierd relationship with them as a consumer: I'm 33 and love some of the DS's 'not-so-grown-up' titles. I love the Castlevania games (never played a bad one), the Final Fantasy games, Chronotrigger, The World Ends With You, Mario Kart DS, etc... But, as an adult, I often gravitate toward GTA. I enjoy GTA games on PS2 and PC games like Oblivion and Fallout 3, as well. While I'm happy with the DS line up, I can understand why some people are put off by it. GTA CTW can help change that.

  • superapo

    Posted May 19, 2009 2:06 pm PT

    its an amazing game i couldn't put it down this whole weekend. i dont understand why gamespot keeps telling us how much its selling every freakin week.

  • playereagle

    Posted May 19, 2009 1:30 pm PT

    i love the game well worth it i couldn't believe the graphics the are just outstanding. i hope they do sell more and that they come out with more gta games for the ds system.

  • Oakbeast

    Posted May 19, 2009 11:41 am PT

    bought the game with high aspirations for a DS game and it's delivered...
    it's awesome...love the gameplay
    only goes to show higher ups have as much of a clue about the industry as the "common folk"

  • raahsnavj

    Posted May 19, 2009 10:50 am PT

    Also, why is Will Smith pointing a gun at me?

  • BigBen11111

    Posted May 19, 2009 5:50 am PT

    It's a shame, it's a fun little game.

  • rgame1

    Posted May 19, 2009 1:06 am PT

    i knew it. Just like all DS games, this will steadily sell like prof layton and others. Cool.

  • PrimusTool

    Posted May 18, 2009 11:40 pm PT

    I bought it at Best Buy when it was $20 and it ended up being more fun than I expected. I honestly think it's better than Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories. The Taser is the best weapon ever!

  • fauljosh

    Posted May 18, 2009 10:35 pm PT

    IF YOU HAVE A DS DS BUY THIS GAME. That's all I can say. It's that good.

  • ian_chappy

    Posted May 18, 2009 8:57 pm PT

    -lannyboy334- 4) Buy Pokemon, and not admit it

    I would definately have to agree with that

  • darknferno12

    Posted May 18, 2009 8:54 pm PT

    Got the game, it's a great DS game, uses the DS pretty well and adds cool news things to the GTA gameplay. why didn't retailers listen to the analysts >.>

  • beny_pimpster

    Posted May 18, 2009 8:40 pm PT

    lol how but sales report on May lol

    i didnt buy it cause GTA is never my style

  • godzillavskong

    Posted May 18, 2009 7:12 pm PT

    My kids have a DS and I almost want to buy this game for myself, but If I can sit and play a video game it might as well be my 360 instead.Great looking game though, and it's nice to see some third party title for the DS selling some units.

  • meluvulongtime8

    Posted May 18, 2009 6:25 pm PT

    I bought it when they dropped the price, but I can honestly say if they hadn't there's no way I would have picked it up....................and I really don't know why

  • lannyboy334

    Posted May 18, 2009 5:42 pm PT

    Everyone seems to be thumbs downing taegre, but I am broke so I won't buy it. I barely played GTA4, just not my style. Everyone is saying this game is really good but it is sort of engrained in everyones mind that they will
    1) Buy nintendo licensed games for their DS
    2) Buy strategy games for their DS
    3) Buy platforming games for their DS
    4) Buy Pokemon, and not admit it

  • -Squirrel-

    Posted May 18, 2009 5:37 pm PT

    I'm glad for Chinatown Wars, it's one hell of a game. If for some reason you doubt the ability of the DS to hold it's own with a GTA game, then don't worry and buy it now. This game makes me believe Rockstar could do a cell-shaded Wii GTA based on the Chinatown Wars concepts. And from now on the drug dealing component has to be a part of every future GTA, it's just that good.

    And cantor2537 I agree, piracy not only hurts the developers, but also the gamers who play the games. I never pirate games, and all my friends know better than to bring up the idea of pirating in front of me. If you pirate you're not a gamer, because you clearly don't care about the industry or the games.

  • Taegre posted May 18, 2009 4:57 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Taegre

    Posted May 18, 2009 4:57 pm PT (hide)

    It's weird, because I'm one of those people who has not and will not buy this game, and I can't really explain why. I know it's great, I know it could be the best DS game I've ever played, and yet you simply cannot get me to play Chinatown Wars even under threat of death. It's like there's some sort of Voodoo curse on this game.

  • condelirios

    Posted May 18, 2009 4:46 pm PT

    They panic... they panic.. then it steadily sells millions of copies..much like the DS itself.

  • chappy_man

    Posted May 18, 2009 4:22 pm PT

    if its still discounted i bet ide buy it

  • mylsd

    Posted May 18, 2009 4:17 pm PT

    Well I would've picked this game up, but I haven't bought ANY games in the last three months, money is tight, (and I'm the kind of gamer that used to buy 3 - 4 games a month)

  • prioritymail

    Posted May 18, 2009 4:05 pm PT

    I hope it does well in the long run. I'd hate to have developers stop making ds games for the hardcore players just because this title went sour.

  • raahsnavj

    Posted May 18, 2009 3:57 pm PT

    It seems like game makers like to talk extremes. We have Nintendogs in one corner and this in the other... the DS needs more good games that fit in the middle. It also goes to show that if this would have come to the PSP it probably would have sold a lot better... come on people match the game to the demographic.

  • chibi-acer

    Posted May 18, 2009 3:23 pm PT

    I'm surprised the sales are so low, especially considering the number of DSs compared to 360s and PS3s, almost twice as much as both combined. Considering that some gamers own both consoles are core/hardcore gamers really that outnumbered by casual gamers? Or are people just not buying the game?

  • axia_777

    Posted May 18, 2009 2:57 pm PT

    Those are still horrible sale figures for the GTA series. If GTA4 sold like this people would have laughed for years.

  • thesaxmaniac posted May 18, 2009 2:49 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    thesaxmaniac

    Posted May 18, 2009 2:49 pm PT (hide)

    Now that you've already made the game, it won't cost that much to port it to the iPhone!! Don't leave money on the table.

  • kkevguy47k posted May 18, 2009 2:49 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    kkevguy47k

    Posted May 18, 2009 2:49 pm PT (hide)

    people who have ds' arent going to buy grand theft auto.

    i know some people have ds' and are open to better games, but for the most part, these type of games obviously won't sell on a mainly kid based platform

  • FoxExecutive

    Posted May 18, 2009 2:33 pm PT

    I still find the sales disappointing. This is a truly great game and shouldn't be overlooked. Even if the DS market is 80% not interested in this game or too young, that still leaves about 15 million people who should definitely check this game out. You deserve it.

  • SoNin360

    Posted May 18, 2009 2:30 pm PT

    irongobbo-
    Most of those on eBay are probably pirated/bootleg copies, w\e you wanna call it, especially if they are from Hong Kong and have a Buy it Now option of around $15. By now I would hope that most people have realized this and those Hong Kongers are no longer selling them on there but I havn't looked in a while...

  • Denveraic

    Posted May 18, 2009 2:18 pm PT

    I don't know about bargain bin prices, it is still 35$

  • taylormadederek posted May 18, 2009 2:05 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    taylormadederek

    Posted May 18, 2009 2:05 pm PT (hide)

    I will buy it at $10 or $20 no more.

  • Marcster1994

    Posted May 18, 2009 2:04 pm PT

    Im surprised actually.
    Even if it has the name GTA it stil doesan't sell good.

    That's it. extra advertising. keep on advertising and make sure they buy it! DO SOMETHING.

  • PlasmaBeam44

    Posted May 18, 2009 1:54 pm PT

    I bought this back in March and I love it. I don't understand why people aren't buying it and if your someone who is pirating it then your part of the problem and you must be eliminated.

  • efry1getzLAID posted May 18, 2009 1:45 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    efry1getzLAID

    Posted May 18, 2009 1:45 pm PT (hide)

    Rather buy PunchOut DS

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