"Ecco the Dolphin Reboot: New Game in Development"

The legendary creator of Ecco the Dolphin, Ed Annunziata, has recently announced exciting developments for fans of the classic action-adventure series. In an interview featured on Xbox Wire, Annunziata revealed that not only are remakes of the original games in progress, but a new third installment is also in the works. This comes as a thrilling update for the gaming community, especially those who have fond memories of navigating the challenging waters of Ecco's world.

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 is particularly notable because while there has been a third game in the series, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, released on Dreamcast in 2000, Annunziata was not involved in its creation. Additionally, a planned sequel, Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe, was canceled, leaving fans without a direct follow-up from the original creator.

The news has sparked excitement among fans, with one expressing, "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 pointed out the quirky nature of the series' plot, saying, "I wonder how many people know how completely bonkers the plot of the games are."

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Although Annunziata did not provide a specific release date, a countdown on the official Ecco the Dolphin website indicates that we have approximately a year to wait, as it is set to expire in 8,508 hours.

Originally launched in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Ecco the Dolphin was followed by a sequel, Ecco: The Tides of Time, in 1994. The series also includes the educational titles Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt, released in 1995. In Ecco the Dolphin, players guide the titular dolphin through a devastated underwater world, navigating through tropical reefs and polar ice floes to reunite with his pod.

Previous remakes have received mixed reviews. The 2000 remake was described as satisfactory but not compelling enough to warrant a revisit for those familiar with the original, as stated in 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."

Conversely, the last Ecco the Dolphin 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's visuals and engaging story, 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."