"Ecco the Dolphin Reboot: New Game in Development"

The iconic creator of Ecco the Dolphin, Ed Annunziata, has shared exciting news that not only are remakes of the original games in the works, but a brand new "third" installment is also on the horizon. This revelation was made through an interview on Xbox Wire, where Annunziata discussed ocean conservation, his career, and the future of the Ecco series.

"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," Annunziata announced, stirring anticipation among fans.

It's worth noting that there is already a "third" game in the Ecco series. Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future was released on the Dreamcast back in 2000, marking the last mainline entry. However, Annunziata was not involved in its development. 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. One fan mentioned, "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 reflected on the series' unique plot, saying, "I wonder how many people know how completely bonkers the plot of the games are."

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While Annunziata did not specify a release date for the remakes and the new game, a countdown timer on the official Ecco the Dolphin website suggests fans might have to wait around a year, as it's set to expire in 8,508 hours.

The original Ecco the Dolphin was launched in 1992 for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, followed by its sequel, Ecco: The Tides of Time, in 1994. The series also included "edutainment" titles such as Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt in 1995, aimed primarily at educational purposes.

In the original game, players control Ecco, a dolphin navigating through perilous waters to reunite with his pod after a devastating environmental 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. 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."

On the other hand, the last game in the series, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, was well-received, earning a 7.6 from IGN's Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future review, which praised the game for its engaging story and stunning visuals, 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."