The creator of Ecco the Dolphin, Ed Annunziata, has recently disclosed exciting news for fans of the iconic series. Not only are remakes of the original games in the works, but a new "third" installment is also being developed. This revelation came through an interview on Xbox Wire, where Annunziata discussed ocean conservation, his career, and ultimately shared the thrilling update about the future of Ecco.
"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 announced, sparking excitement and nostalgia among the game's dedicated fanbase.
It's worth noting that there is already a "third" game in the Ecco series, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, which was released on the Dreamcast in 2000. However, Annunziata was not involved in that project. Additionally, a planned sequel, Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe, intended as a direct follow-up to Defender of the Future, was unfortunately cancelled.
Fans have expressed their anticipation and fond memories of the series. One fan wrote, "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 reminded us of the series' unique narrative, stating, "I wonder how many people know how completely bonkers the plot of the games are."
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While Annunziata did not provide a specific release date for the new Ecco projects, a countdown on the official Ecco the Dolphin website indicates that we have about a year to wait, as it is set to expire in 8,508 hours.
The original Ecco the Dolphin game debuted in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, followed by its sequel, Ecco: The Tides of Time, in 1994. The series also saw the release of two "edutainment" titles, Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt, in 1995, aimed primarily at educational purposes.
In the original Ecco the Dolphin, players guide the titular dolphin through a devastated underwater world, navigating through dangerous reefs and icy waters to reunite with his pod. A 2000 remake received mixed reviews, 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."
In contrast, the last mainline entry, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, was better received, earning a 7.6 score in IGN's Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future review. The review praised the game, noting, "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."
