The iconic creator of Ecco the Dolphin, Ed Annunziata, has thrilled fans by announcing not only remakes of the classic games but also a brand new "third" installment in the series. In a recent interview on Xbox Wire, Annunziata shared his commitment to ocean conservation and his passion for game development before unveiling his exciting plans for 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," Annunziata stated. "Then we will make a new, third game with contemporary play and [graphics] sensibilities. Stay tuned." This news comes as a surprise to many, especially since there is already a "third" game in the franchise, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, which was released on Dreamcast in 2000 without Annunziata's involvement. Plans for a further sequel, Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe, were unfortunately cancelled.
Fans have reacted with excitement and nostalgia. 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, saying, "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, a countdown on the official Ecco the Dolphin website suggests that fans can expect to see the new projects in about a year, as it is set to expire in 8,508 hours.
The original Ecco the Dolphin game launched 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 "edutainment" titles, Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt, in 1995, aimed at younger audiences and educational purposes.
In the original game, players guide Ecco, the dolphin, through a devastated underwater world, navigating through treacherous tropical reefs and freezing polar ice floes to reunite with his pod. A 2000 remake was met with 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 game, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, received a more favorable response, earning a 7.6 score in IGN's Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future review. The review praised the game, 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."
