The iconic Ecco the Dolphin series is making a splash with exciting new developments. Ed Annunziata, the original mastermind behind these challenging action-adventure games, has announced not only remakes of the classic titles but also a brand new installment. In a recent interview on Xbox Wire, Annunziata shared his plans to remaster the original Ecco the Dolphin and Ecco: The Tides of Time, followed by the creation of a third game that will bring fresh gameplay and stunning graphics to the beloved franchise. Fans are eagerly anticipating these updates, with some expressing their excitement about finally using long-held secret passwords.
While there has already been a third game in the series, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, released on the Dreamcast in 2000, Annunziata was not involved in its development. A planned sequel, Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe, was unfortunately canceled. The plotlines of the Ecco series have been noted for their complexity and eccentricity, sparking discussions among fans.
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Although Annunziata did not provide a specific timeline for the release of these projects, a countdown on the official Ecco the Dolphin website suggests that fans can expect to reunite with Ecco in approximately a year, as it's set to expire in 8,508 hours.
The original Ecco the Dolphin game debuted in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, with the sequel, Ecco: The Tides of Time, following in 1994. The series also includes the educational titles Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt, released in 1995. In the original game, players guide Ecco through dangerous environments to reunite with his pod after a catastrophic event disrupts their underwater world.
Previous remakes of Ecco the Dolphin have received mixed reviews. The 2000 remake was described as satisfactory but not essential, with IGN's Ecco the Dolphin review from 2007 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." In contrast, 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, story, and gameplay.
