Ecco the Dolphin Reboot: New Game in Development

The iconic creator of the beloved and challenging Ecco the Dolphin series, Ed Annunziata, has thrilled fans with exciting news about the franchise's future. In an interview on Xbox Wire, Annunziata not only discussed his dedication to ocean conservation and his journey as a developer but also revealed major updates on the Ecco series. He announced that the original team is working on remasters of the classic games Ecco the Dolphin and Ecco: The Tides of Time. Moreover, he teased the development of a brand new "third" installment, promising contemporary gameplay and graphics.

While there has been a "third" game in the Ecco series, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, released on Dreamcast in 2000, Annunziata was not involved in its creation. Additionally, a planned sequel, Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe, meant to follow Defender of the Future, was unfortunately canceled. Fans have expressed their excitement and nostalgia, with one enthusiast sharing, "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 noted, "I wonder how many people know how completely bonkers the plot of the games are."

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Annunziata remained tight-lipped about specific release dates, but fans can keep an eye on the countdown on the official Ecco the Dolphin website, which is set to end in approximately a year from now. The original Ecco the Dolphin game made its debut in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, followed by 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, designed primarily as educational tools.

In Ecco the Dolphin, players guide the titular dolphin through a devastated underwater world, navigating treacherous tropical reefs and freezing polar ice floes to reunite with his pod. While the 2000 remake was considered satisfactory, our review of the 2007 version on IGN noted, "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."

However, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future received a much warmer reception, earning a 7.6 score in IGN's review, which praised its engaging visuals and story, stating, "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."