Ecco the Dolphin Reboot: New Game in Development

The iconic Ecco the Dolphin series is set to make a splash once again, as original creator Ed Annunziata recently disclosed exciting plans for the franchise. In an interview featured on Xbox Wire, Annunziata shared that he and the original development team are working on remakes of the classic games, Ecco the Dolphin and Ecco: The Tides of Time. But that's not all—fans can also look forward to an entirely new "third" installment, promising modern gameplay and graphics.

This news comes as a surprise, given that a third game, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, was released on Dreamcast back in 2000, albeit without Annunziata's involvement. 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 excitement and nostalgia on social media, with one enthusiast mentioning their desire to use a secret password from Ecco: The Tides of Time, while another highlighted the series' uniquely bizarre plot.

While specific release dates remain under wraps, a countdown 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 approximately 8,508 hours.

The Ecco the Dolphin series first debuted in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, followed by Ecco: The Tides of Time in 1994. The franchise also includes the "edutainment" titles Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt, released in 1995. In the original game, players guide Ecco through a devastated underwater world, navigating treacherous reefs and icy floes to reunite with his dolphin pod.

Previous remakes have received mixed reviews. The 2000 remake was deemed satisfactory but not essential, with IGN's Ecco the Dolphin review suggesting that the game's classic status might be better left in the past. Similarly, the 2007 remake was criticized for lacking new content and meaningful achievements, though it was acknowledged as innovative for its time. On a brighter note, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future received a more favorable response, earning a 7.6 score from IGN for its engaging visuals and story.

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