Exciting news for fans of the classic action-adventure series, Ecco the Dolphin: the original creator, Ed Annunziata, has announced plans for not just remakes of the beloved games, but also a new third installment. This revelation came through a brief post on Xbox Wire, where Annunziata shared insights on ocean conservation, his career, and, most thrillingly, the future of Ecco.

"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 stated, sparking excitement and nostalgia among fans. It's worth noting that there's already a third game in the series, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, released on Dreamcast in 2000, but Annunziata was not involved in its creation. Additionally, a planned sequel, Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe, intended as a direct follow-up to Defender of the Future, was unfortunately canceled.

Fan reactions have been enthusiastic, with one fan expressing their eagerness to use a secret password from the end of Ecco: The Tides of Time, while another highlighted the uniquely wild plot of the series. While Annunziata didn't provide a specific release date for the new projects, a countdown on the official Ecco the Dolphin website suggests fans can expect something in about a year, as it is set to expire in 8,508 hours.

Originally launched in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Ecco the Dolphin quickly became a beloved title, followed by Ecco: The Tides of Time in 1994. The series also included "edutainment" titles, Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt, released in 1995. In Ecco the Dolphin, players guide the titular character through a devastated underwater world, navigating through perilous environments to reunite with his pod.

Past remakes have received mixed reviews. The 2000 remake was described as passable but not essential, with IGN's Ecco the Dolphin review in 2007 noting, "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."

On the other hand, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future received a more favorable response, earning a 7.6 score from IGN's Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future review, which praised its visuals and 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."

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