Ecco the Dolphin Reboot: New Game in Development

The mastermind behind the iconic and notoriously challenging Ecco the Dolphin series, Ed Annunziata, has recently shared exciting news that has sent ripples of anticipation through the gaming community. In an interview posted on Xbox Wire, Annunziata not only announced remakes of the original games but also teased the development of an entirely new installment in the series.

"Me and the entire original team are going to remaster the original Ecco the Dolphin and Ecco: The Tides of Time games," Annunziata stated. "Then we will make a new, third game with contemporary play and [graphics] sensibilities. Stay tuned." This revelation comes as a surprise, especially since there already exists a third game in the series, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, released on the Dreamcast in 2000, although Annunziata was not involved in its creation. Additionally, a planned sequel, Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe, was unfortunately cancelled.

Fans have expressed their excitement and nostalgia. One enthusiast shared, "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 reflected on the series' unique narrative, stating, "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 provide specific release dates, a countdown timer on the official Ecco the Dolphin website suggests that we might see these projects come to fruition in about a year, as it's set to expire in 8,508 hours.

The original Ecco the Dolphin debuted in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, captivating players with its unique gameplay and storyline. Its sequel, Ecco: The Tides of Time, followed in 1994. The series also ventured into "edutainment" with Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt in 1995, aimed at younger audiences and educational purposes.

In Ecco the Dolphin, players guide the titular dolphin through a devastated underwater world, navigating through treacherous tropical reefs and icy polar floes to reunite with his pod. A 2000 remake of the game received mixed reviews, with our review stating, "Ecco the Dolphin is a classic from SEGA. But sometimes classics should stay in the past."

The 2007 remake fared similarly, with IGN's Ecco the Dolphin review noting, "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, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future received a more favorable reception, earning a 7.6 score from IGN's review, which praised its 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."