Rockstar have launched the official Chinatown Wars website and with it released a new official trailer for the game, along with new screenshots, character bios and more.

Also on the site is the first of series of feature clips, this one focussing on "Hotwiring, Carjacking & Peeling Out". Be sure to check that plus everything else at the official site.

Rockstar just gave us the heads up on an interview that has gone up on IGN, featuring Rockstar Leeds President Gordon Hall. The interview talks about what's gone into the creation of Chinatown Wars, and also includes some cool renders of some of the in-game models. Definitely worth the read, check it out: Rockstar Leeds talks GTA DS

Rockstar Games have announced they'll be going on tour across the US hosting Chinatown Wars hands-on experiences at hundreds of GameStop stores. As well as playing the game you'll also get to take home some rare GTA swag!

The tour will last for 6 weeks and take place across 52 US cities, using 3 special Rockstar vans. See the Chinatown Wars tour page for the full details and to see when R* will be at your local store.

Still not sure whether you want to get it? If you missed our own hands-on last week, why don't you give that a read, might help sway your decision.

A commercial for the next hand-held GTA is now airing in the U.S. The Chinatown Wars commercial is a mix of artwork with some actual in-game footage, and highlights the protagonist’s view on what is “the key to building an empire.” The ad also takes note of GameStop’s pre-order deal, which lets you start the game with ,000 and allows you immediate access to Ammunition.

Chinatown Wars will be released on March 17th, 2009, in the U.S. and on the 20th in the U.K. exclusively on the Nintendo DS. Watch the ad below:

Before all of our flights back from New York last Wednesday, we all had a few hours to kill. Because of this, Rockstar decided to allow us to come to their offices where they had a little treat in store for us all. As there were quite a few of us there, we went in two groups, the UK guys (me, Psy, Adam, Jevon) went first due to our earlier flights, while the Americans (illspirit, G-WizZ, Kodo, Zidane) went in after we'd finished.

Not only were we going to be shown Chinatown Wars, we'd also have a hands-on with the game! The last part of my fansite event diary/preview thing is now online for all to read. If you didn't see last week when I posted about The Lost and Damned part of it then you may want to start from there, if you did then simply skip ahead to the final page to read my hands-on preview of Chinatown Wars. If what you've seen hasn't impressed you so far, then be sure to read this as it may just change your mind.

Again, if you have any questions for me about the event or about what I saw of Chinatown Wars, then don't hesitate to ask in the comments, I'll do my best to answer any questions you have.

Link: My hands-on preview of Chinatown Wars