Classic Games Database
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Uncharted Waters

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Also known as
Daikōkai Jidai Super Daikōkai Jidai スーパー 大航海時代 大航海時代

Trade goods between ports, explore the seas, and restore your family's name.

Uncharted Waters (Daikōkai Jidai) was originally released in Japan for the PC-9801 in 1990; the NES/Famicom version was released in Japan in 1991, so the NES release year is 1991.


							Uncharted Waters cover
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About Uncharted Waters

Uncharted Waters is a nautical simulation set during the age of sail, where the player's activities center on maritime trade and exploration. The narrative follows Leon Franco, a young Portuguese man seeking to restore his family's lost honor, a goal intertwined with winning the hand of a noblewoman named Christiana.

Gameplay involves managing a fleet, navigating between ports to buy and sell cargo for profit, and undertaking various missions. Ports offer essential services such as shipyards, supply depots, and taverns where rumors can be gathered and crew hired. The open-ended structure allows players to explore the world at their own pace, with the primary objective of achieving sufficient fame to secure a marriage.

Navigation occurs from an overhead perspective, where players must contend with environmental hazards like storms, unfavorable winds, and dense seaweed. The seas are also populated by vessels from multiple nations and pirates, creating a challenging dynamic where allegiances are not always clear. Players can order their ship to land on coastlines to forage for additional resources.

Uncharted Waters Screenshots

9 images
Title screen (Japanese version)
Title Screen
The story of a family in the 16th century
Main menu
A hero's stats
The port of Lisbon, Portugal
Sailing
Looking for some goods to buy
Playing cards