The creator of Ecco the Dolphin, Ed Annunziata, has announced exciting news for fans of the iconic and challenging action-adventure series. In a recent interview on Xbox Wire, Annunziata shared that he and the original team are working on remakes of the beloved games, Ecco the Dolphin and Ecco: The Tides of Time. Additionally, they are developing a new third installment that promises contemporary gameplay and graphics.

This announcement comes as a surprise, especially since there is already a third game in the series, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, released for the Dreamcast in 2000. However, Annunziata was not involved in that project. Another planned sequel, Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe, which was to follow Defender of the Future, was unfortunately canceled.

Fans have expressed their excitement and nostalgia, with one fan noting, "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." Another fan reminisced about the game's 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 provide specific details on the release date, a countdown on the official Ecco the Dolphin website suggests that we might see the new projects in about a year, as it is set to expire in 8,508 hours.

Ecco the Dolphin first debuted in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, followed by Ecco: The Tides of Time in 1994. The series also saw "edutainment" releases with Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt in 1995, aimed at educational play.

In Ecco the Dolphin, players guide the titular dolphin through a devastated underwater world caused by a swirling gust of air and water, navigating through treacherous tropical reefs and icy polar waters to reunite with his pod. While the 2000 remake was considered satisfactory, the 2007 remake received mixed reviews. IGN's Ecco the Dolphin review stated, "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, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future was better received, earning a 7.6 score from IGN's Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future review, which praised the game's visuals and story, 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."