Ecco the Dolphin Reboot, Including an All-New Original Game, in the Works

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Ecco the Dolphin Remaster and New Game Announcement

The creator of Ecco the Dolphin has shared that remakes of the original games are currently being developed, along with a "third" installment in progress.

Disclosed through a short post on Xbox Wire, Ed Annunziata — the original designer of the well-known and challenging action-adventure games — was asked about promoting awareness for ocean protection, his career as a developer, and, at the end, revealed this surprising update:

"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 create a new, third game with modern gameplay and visual styles. Stay tuned."

There is, indeed, already a "third" game. As the final mainline Ecco title, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future was launched on Dreamcast 25 years ago in 2000. However, creator Annunziata was not involved. A further sequel, Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe, which had been planned as a direct follow-up to Defender of the Future, was canceled.

"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," wrote one fan, while another reminded us: "I wonder how many people know how completely bizarre the storylines of these games are."

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Annunziata did not give any further information about when we will be able to reconnect with Ecco, but a countdown on the official Ecco the Dolphin website is set to end in 8,508 hours — roughly one year from now.

Ecco the Dolphin first appeared in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, and was followed by a sequel, Ecco: The Tides of Time, in 1994. Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt were released in 1995, though they were "edutainment" games primarily designed as learning tools.

Ecco the Dolphin has you play as the title dolphin, as your underwater world has been destroyed by a swirling mix of air and water. You must help him travel through dangerous tropical reefs and icy polar regions to reunite with his dolphin group. We found the 2000 remake acceptable, 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 return to it," we stated about the 2007 remake in IGN's Ecco the Dolphin review. "There are no extra features and the Achievements are poor. If you've never played Ecco, then you might want to try it. It is one of the more creative titles of its era. But again, that time has long passed, and Ecco's gameplay doesn't hold up like Sonic's."

The last Ecco the Dolphin game received much better reviews, scoring 7.6 in IGN's Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future review, which stated: "If you thought Flipper had personality, wait until you meet Ecco the Dolphin. Enjoy stunning visuals and a compelling story, and defend the ocean that is rightfully yours."