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Imagine for a moment: what if Rockstar, the giant behind iconic franchises, had decided to transcend the limits of the console by offering two of its classics on Nintendo? The world of video games would undoubtedly have taken a radical turn. With innovative gameplay mechanics and captivating stories, these games could have redefined the gaming experience on a platform known for its accessibility and charm. Prepare to delve into an exercise in nostalgia and imagination, where we explore titles that could have shaken up the industry and left their mark on generations of gamers.
Rockstar and Nintendo: an almost forgotten story
Collaborations between Rockstar Games And Nintendo are rare but memorable. If you remember GTA Chinatown Wars on Nintendo DS, you know that Rockstar knows how to exploit the potential of portable consoles. However, two other iconic Rockstar titles could have changed the game on Nintendo consoles.
The Warriors: an aborted port on Game Boy Advance
According to a recent interview with a former developer of Rockstar (preferring to remain anonymous), the game The Warriors was intended to be worn on the Game Boy Advance. The game had to offer an experience in four-player cooperative using the cable link, a rare feature for the time. “We finished the game. It was really fun to play,” says the ex-employee. However, Nintendo was not keen on the idea of promoting such a violent game.
Bully: the ambition never materialized
After the success of GTA Chinatown Wars, Rockstar also had plans for a port of bully (known as Canis Canem Edit) on Nintendo DS. Using a top view perspective similar to Chinatown Wars, this project was unfortunately abandoned before reaching the final phase.
Unexpected alliances with Nintendo
Although these ports never saw the light of day, the relationship between Rockstar and Nintendo continued to evolve. In 2022, Red Dead Redemption was carried on the Nintendo Switch, marking a new stage in this collaboration. However, it is interesting to note that despite this development, projects like GTA The Trilogy Definitive Edition suffered from numerous bugs and technical issues during their launch.
To find out more about the video games that marked 2023, check out our recap here.
Comparison table of canceled Rockstar titles on Nintendo
| Game | Console | Status |
| The Warriors | Game Boy Advance | Canceled |
| Bully (Canis Canem Edit) | Nintendo DS | Canceled |
| GTA Chinatown Wars | Nintendo DS | Got out |
| Red Dead Redemption | Nintendo Switch | Got out |
| GTA The Trilogy Definitive Edition | Nintendo Switch | Released with bugs |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Rockstar games have been canceled on Nintendo consoles? The Warriors on Game Boy Advance and Bully (Canis Canem Edit) on Nintendo DS.
Why wasn’t The Warriors released on Game Boy Advance? Nintendo was not in favor of promoting such a violent game on its handheld console.
What are Rockstar’s successes on Nintendo consoles? Games like GTA Chinatown Wars and Red Dead Redemption have found success on Nintendo DS and Nintendo Switch, respectively.
Was Bully supposed to be similar to GTA Chinatown Wars on Nintendo DS? Yes, it was supposed to have a similar top-view perspective, but the project was scrapped.
What other games could have transformed the world of games on Nintendo? If the ports of The Warriors and Bully had taken place, they would certainly have enriched the catalog of Rockstar games on Nintendo consoles.
What would The Warriors have been like on Game Boy Advance? The game would have offered four-player co-op via the link cable, with fun and addictive gameplay.
— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) December 1, 2023
