When Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars was first announced for the DS, it was clearly the biggest news to come out of Nintendo's E3 press hootenanny. Granted, this was the same press conference where Nintendo pinned their "hardcore" hopes on the instantly forgettable Wii Music, so standing out among the crowd wasn't going to be hard to do. Today we learn the date that GTA:CW will be invading our handhelds and destroying our culture: March 17, 2009 (or March 20 if you're European).

That gives you exactly 92 days to get your pre-orders in. In the wake of the killer-looking trailer for The Lost and the Damned, I am about ready to get excited by any news coming out of Rockstar. Provided, that is, that it isn't another Wii Table Tennis.

Here's the full press release, in case you like details:

Rockstar Games Announces Release Date for Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for the Nintendo DS^TM

Critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto franchise makes its DS debut this March

New York, NY – December 15, 2008 - Rockstar Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), is proud to announce the release date for Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, the latest entry into the genre-defining Grand Theft Auto series. Developed by Rockstar Leeds, in conjunction with series creators Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will be available for the Nintendo DS™ on March 17 and 20, 2009 in North America and Europe, respectively.

"Rockstar Leeds have once again created a game that far exceeds our standard for deep and innovative entertainment," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. "We are incredibly excited to share this enormous and uncompromising Grand Theft Auto experience with DS fans."

Edge Magazine commented, "How does Rockstar follow Grand Theft Auto IV? By rebuilding Liberty City from the ground up on DS - and not compromising its vision one iota."

Nintendo Power added, "...it's undeniable that Chinatown Wars is doing something no other DS game has come close to: creating that living, breathing world the Grand Theft Auto games are known for."

For more information about Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, please visit: www.rockstargames.com/chinatownwars.

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