Sega Trademarks Ecco The Dolphin, Fueling Rumors Of The Series' Comeback

In an exciting development for fans of classic video games, Sega has filed trademarks for the beloved Ecco the Dolphin series. This move, made public recently, has sparked speculation about a potential revival of the franchise that has been inactive since 2000.

Ecco The Dolphin Returns

According to Gematsu, the trademarks for Ecco and Ecco the Dolphin were filed by Sega on December 27th, 2024. This action has reignited interest in the series, which first captivated gamers in 1992. Developed by the now-defunct Hungarian studio Appaloosa Interactive and published by Sega, the Ecco the Dolphin series features the adventures of Ecco, a bottlenose dolphin on a mission to save Earth from extraterrestrial threats.

The original game was followed by several sequels, with the last official release being Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future in 2000. Plans for a sequel, Ecco II: Sentinels of the Universe, were unfortunately scrapped due to the decline and eventual discontinuation of the Sega Dreamcast.

While Appaloosa Interactive no longer exists, its former team members, including Ecco the Dolphin's creator Ed Annunziata, remain active in the gaming industry. Annunziata, who released Space War Arena in 2019, expressed hope for a future Ecco sequel in an interview with NintendoLife, stating, "One thing I can say is in the future, people are playing this game. I never give up!"

Although no specific details have emerged about the future of Ecco the Dolphin, the trademark filing suggests that Sega may be planning to add it to their roster of revived classic franchises. In recent years, Sega has announced numerous projects, including revivals of Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, Shinobi, and Virtua Fighter, alongside new ventures like Project Century and an RPG-like Virtua Fighter.

Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development, as Sega continues to breathe new life into its storied catalog of IPs.