Ecco the Dolphin Reboot: New Game in Development

The mastermind behind the iconic Ecco the Dolphin series, Ed Annunziata, has recently unveiled exciting news for fans. In an interview published on Xbox Wire, Annunziata not only confirmed that remakes of the original Ecco games are in the works but also announced the development of a brand-new third installment. This thrilling revelation came as part of a broader discussion about ocean conservation and Annunziata's career 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 anticipation among the gaming community.

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

Fans expressed their excitement and nostalgia online. One fan reminisced, "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 pointed out the unique narrative of the series, saying, "I wonder how many people know how completely bonkers the plot of the games are."

10 (Unintentionally) Terrifying Games

View 11 Images

While Annunziata did not specify a release date for the new Ecco projects, a countdown on the official Ecco the Dolphin website indicates that we might see them in about a year's time, as it is set to expire in 8,508 hours.

The journey of Ecco the Dolphin began in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, followed by its sequel, Ecco: The Tides of Time, in 1994. The series also ventured into educational gaming with Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt in 1995. In the original Ecco games, players guide the titular dolphin through perilous underwater environments to reunite with his pod after a devastating environmental catastrophe.

Previous remakes of Ecco the Dolphin have received mixed reviews. The 2000 remake was described as adequate but outdated, with IGN's Ecco the Dolphin review stating, "Ecco the Dolphin is a classic from SEGA.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."

However, the last mainline entry, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, fared much better, earning a score of 7.6 from IGN's Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future review, which praised the game's visuals and engaging storyline, 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."