In a thrilling announcement for fans of the classic action-adventure series, Ed Annunziata, the original creator of Ecco the Dolphin, has revealed exciting plans for the beloved franchise. In a recent interview on Xbox Wire, Annunziata shared that he and the original team are set to remaster the iconic games Ecco the Dolphin and Ecco: The Tides of Time. But the news doesn't stop there—they are also developing a brand new "third" installment designed with modern gameplay and graphics.
This comes as a surprise to many, given that there already exists a third game in the series, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, which was released on the Dreamcast back in 2000. Notably, 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.
The news has sparked a wave of excitement and nostalgia among fans. One enthusiast expressed their anticipation, saying, "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." Another fan reflected on the series' unique narrative, noting, "I wonder how many people know how completely bonkers the plot of the games are."
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While Annunziata did not provide specific release dates, a countdown timer on the official Ecco the Dolphin website suggests that fans might have to wait approximately a year for the remakes and the new game, as it is set to expire in 8,508 hours.
Originally launched in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Ecco the Dolphin introduced players to the titular dolphin's journey to reunite with his pod after their underwater world was devastated by a mysterious vortex. The series continued with Ecco: The Tides of Time in 1994, and two "edutainment" titles, Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt, were released in 1995.
Despite its initial acclaim, the 2007 remake of Ecco the Dolphin received mixed reviews. According to IGN's Ecco the Dolphin review, "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, was better received, earning a 7.6 score in IGN's Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future review. The review praised its engaging story and impressive visuals, 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."
