"Ecco the Dolphin Reboot: New Game in Development"

The iconic creator of Ecco the Dolphin, Ed Annunziata, has recently announced exciting news for fans of the classic action-adventure series. In an interview on Xbox Wire, Annunziata shared that not only are remakes of the original games in development, but a new third installment is also on the horizon. This revelation came at the end of a discussion focused on ocean conservation and his career as a developer.

Annunziata stated, "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." This announcement marks a significant development, especially since the last mainline Ecco game, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, released on Dreamcast 25 years ago in 2000 without Annunziata's involvement. A planned sequel, Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe, was unfortunately canceled.

Fans have expressed their excitement and nostalgia, with one fan writing, "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 storyline, 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 specific release dates, a countdown on the official Ecco the Dolphin website suggests that fans might see the return of Ecco 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. Additionally, two edutainment games, Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt, were released in 1995. In the original game, players control Ecco as he navigates through dangerous underwater environments to reunite with his pod after a devastating event. 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... 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 Ecco game, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, was more positively 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."