Here lies the first images of the PSP version of GTA: Chinatown Wars:
 

I'd like to see it in motion. It's kind of odd going from two 3D GTA games in 05 and 06 to a top-down throwback in 09. That style seems much more at home on a DS. 
 
Also, I never played the DS version, so I have no clue how the lack of touch controls will effect the game.

I can't tell, is it much of an upgrade from the DS version?

It looks better, with less jaggies and improved shading and lighting effects.

It looks quite different actually, I think I prefer the DS version's looks. This looks cleaner (not like "software" mode anymore) but it's also lost the cartoony effect of the DS release. I think that was the wrong choice. It's also not very impressive for a PSP game, but for DS it looked nice.

I think that it is a step backward, I can see for the DS why they would scale it down (Although Cops is looking good). But for a psp/psn game that have a full 3d gta on there I think it is a wate.

No problem with top-down games if they play well, it just doesn't look like an effort that improves the original release. Maybe worsens it.

The lighting is definitely miles better. Like miles.
 
I haven't played the DS version so I'm getting this. It's a far cry from the Vice City Stories/Liberty City Stories visuals, but that doesn't matter one bit when the game is good. And by all accounts, GTA Chinatown Wars is a bloody good game.

did they announce a release date for it yet? 

Well, I think the PSP is looking better, but I guess that's expected. Right on. However, I'll be getting the DS version.

My only question is how it controls and how it plays. We all knew it would look nice, but the game was designed around the DS, so it'll be interesting to see if they can port the play style to the PSP

" did they announce a release date for it yet?  "

Looks good, but it seems to have lost its charm. :(
BUT, it does look closer to GTA 2, which isn't bad. I just hope it plays well for PSP users.