Ecco the Dolphin Reboot: New Game in Development

The iconic series, Ecco the Dolphin, is set to make a splash with exciting news from its creator, Ed Annunziata. In a recent post on Xbox Wire, Annunziata disclosed that not only are remakes of the original games in progress, but a brand-new installment is also on the horizon. This revelation came at the tail end of an interview discussing ocean conservation and his journey as a developer.

"Me and the entire original team are going to remaster the original Ecco the Dolphin and Ecco: The Tides of Time games. Then we will make a new, third game with contemporary play and [graphics] sensibilities. Stay tuned," Annunziata stated, stirring excitement among fans.

It's worth noting that there has already been a "third" game in the series, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, which was released on the Dreamcast 25 years ago in 2000. However, Annunziata was not involved in its development. Additionally, a planned sequel, Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe, intended as a direct follow-up to Defender of the Future, was unfortunately canceled.

Fans have expressed their enthusiasm and nostalgia, with one fan mentioning, "I just want to finally be able to enter my secret password from the end of Tides of Time. I still have it written in the codes section of the game manual," while another highlighted the series' unique narrative, saying, "I wonder how many people know how completely bonkers the plot of the games are."

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While Annunziata did not provide a specific release date for the new Ecco projects, a countdown on the official Ecco the Dolphin website suggests that fans can expect updates in approximately a year, as it is set to expire in 8,508 hours.

The original Ecco the Dolphin game debuted in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, followed by its sequel, Ecco: The Tides of Time, in 1994. The series also saw the release of "edutainment" titles, Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt in 1995, aimed at educational purposes.

In the original game, players guide Ecco, the dolphin, through a devastated underwater world, navigating through treacherous tropical reefs and freezing polar ice floes to reunite with his pod. A 2000 remake received mixed reviews, with IGN's Ecco the Dolphin review stating, "Ecco the Dolphin is a classic from SEGA. But sometimes classics should stay in the past. For those who have played Ecco before, there's really no reason to come back to it. There are no extras offered and the Achievements are junk. If you've never played Ecco, then you may want to give it a go. It really is one of the more innovative titles of its time. But, again, that time has long passed, and Ecco's gameplay doesn't stand the test of time like Sonic's."

In contrast, the last mainline game, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, was more favorably received, earning a 7.6 score in IGN's Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future review, which praised its visuals and engaging story, saying, "If you thought Flipper had personality, wait until you get a load of Ecco the Dolphin. Experience amazing visuals and an engrossing story, and defend the ocean that is rightfully yours."