What do you get when you sell one of the world's most popular franchises on the world's most popular gaming console?  Apparently, not enough, as Rockstar Game's return to classic-style crime spree, the highly-rated Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for Nintendo DS, as the title has underperformed considerably since its release in March.  The game, an M-rated experience that rightfully earned its rated, was seen as something of a litmus test for mature-rated content on the heavily family-friendly saturated console.  Now it seems that Liberty City is headed back to where many felt it belonged all along, as the saga of Huang Lee is headed to the Sony PSP and PSP-Go.

Its only fitting that the franchise return to the Sony PSP, where previous installments of the franchise top that platform's list of best-selling titles.  It will be interesting to see how Rockstar handles the transition from DS-to-PSP, as the original game was so intricately tied to the Nintendo portable's unique stylus system.  As the full presser states the game will feature "all-new story missions; this version of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will take full advantage of the power of the PSP system," let's hope the stylized cell-shaded visuals are something to see when they hit Sony's graphically-superior handheld.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars invades the PSP and PSP-Go this fall!

NEW YORK - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Rockstar Games, the world-renowned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), is pleased to announce that one of the highest-rated handheld games of all time, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, will be making its way to the PSP (PlayStationPortable) handheld entertainment system. Developed by the award-winning studio Rockstar Leeds, in conjunction with series creator Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will be available at retail on UMD and digitally from the PlayStationNetwork in North America and Europe this fall.

"We're proud to extend this truly unique handheld Grand Theft Auto experience to PSP and offer a downloadable version of Chinatown Wars for PSPgo," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. "Rockstar Leeds has shown incredible talent in creating games that raise the bar in terms of depth and innovation on portables, and with Chinatown Wars we have a rich, fast-paced, and incredibly addictive entry into the series."

"Rockstar's work with the GTA series has been an enormous part of the success of PlayStation platforms," said Jack Tretton, President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America. "We're excited to welcome the critically acclaimed Chinatown Wars to the outstanding line-up of great games headed to the PSP platform this fall."

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars follows the story of Huang Lee, a young Triad who travels to Liberty City after the mysterious death of his father. Within the game, players will navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate, delivering the unprecedented amount of depth that has become a true trademark of the franchise. Specifically built for the PSP platform with upscaled widescreen graphics, enhanced lighting and animation; and including all-new story missions; this version of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will take full advantage of the power of the PSP system.