"Ecco the Dolphin Reboot Features New Game"

The iconic game series Ecco the Dolphin is set to make a splash once again. Ed Annunziata, the mastermind behind the beloved and challenging action-adventure games, has announced exciting developments in a recent Xbox Wire interview. Not only are remakes of the original Ecco the Dolphin and Ecco: The Tides of Time in the works, but a brand new "third" installment is also on the horizon. Annunziata shared, "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."

It's worth noting that there has already been a "third" game in the series, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, which launched on the Dreamcast 25 years ago in 2000. However, Annunziata was not involved in its creation. Plans for a direct sequel, Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe, were unfortunately scrapped.

Fans are buzzing with excitement and nostalgia. One enthusiast 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 have about a year to wait, with the timer set to expire in 8,508 hours.

The original Ecco the Dolphin game debuted in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, followed by 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 educational purposes.

In Ecco the Dolphin, players guide the titular dolphin through a devastated underwater world, navigating treacherous tropical reefs and freezing polar ice floes 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 game, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, was more favorably received, 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."