The creator of Ecco the Dolphin, Ed Annunziata, has shared exciting news about the beloved series. In a recent interview on Xbox Wire, Annunziata revealed that not only are remakes of the original games in development, but a brand new "third" installment is also on the way. He 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."

While there is already a "third" game in the series, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, released on Dreamcast 25 years ago in 2000, Annunziata was not involved in its creation. A planned sequel, Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe, which would have been a direct follow-up to Defender of the Future, was unfortunately cancelled.

Fans expressed their excitement and nostalgia on social media. One fan wrote, "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, "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 suggests that fans can expect to see Ecco again in approximately 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. The series also saw the release of "edutainment" games, Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt in 1995, aimed at educational purposes.

In the original game, players guide Ecco through a devastated underwater world, navigating through treacherous tropical reefs and icy polar floes to reunite with his dolphin pod. The 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."

Conversely, the last mainline game, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, was better received, earning a 7.6 score in IGN's Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future review, which praised, "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."