Uncharted Waters Goes Portable

Koei announces DS and PSP entries in simulation series.

While Uncharted Waters DS was already announced a while back, Koei has recently offered first details on the title, and added a PSP version to go along with it. Both portables will be getting the same Uncharted Waters game, carrying the Japanese name of Daikoukai Jidai IV: Rota Nova. This game is actually an updated version of the 1999 PlayStation entry in the series.


Your goal in this Uncharted Waters game is to control the seas during the sea-faring glory days of the 16th century. You'll find yourself fighting off rival armies on the open waters and investing profits from trade into your home town in order to expand. You'll also have to upgrade your ship as you progress through the game.
It's unclear what differences the PSP and DS version will offer, although the DS version uses the system's stylus and dual screen setup to good effect. Conversation screens in the DS version display artwork on the top screen with text and character portraits shown on the bottom. In the DS version, the stylus allows players to directly press icons in order to advance through the game. The PSP version, of course, benefits from the system's wide screen display. It's also known that the PSP version will have a racing mini game that can be played over WiFi.

Both games are due out in Japan this February.