Ecco the Dolphinis a series ofaction-adventurevideo gamesdeveloped byAppaloosa Interactive(previously known as Novotrade International) and published bySega.They were originally developed for theMega Drive/GenesisandDreamcastvideo game consoles,and have beenportedto numerous systems. The story follows the eponymousbottlenose dolphin,who fightsextraterrestrialthreats to the world. The games are known for their high difficulty.[1][2]Eccowas created byEd Annunziata,[3]who also producedChakan: The Forever Man,which was also released in December 1992.
| Ecco the Dolphin | |
|---|---|
| Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
| Developer(s) | Appaloosa Interactive |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Creator(s) | Ed Annunziata |
| Platform(s) | Sega Genesis,Sega CD,Microsoft Windows,Game Gear,Master System,Virtual Console,Cloud(OnLive),Steam,Dreamcast,PlayStation 2,PlayStation Portable,Game Boy Advance,Nintendo 3DS |
| First release | Ecco the Dolphin 23 December 1992 |
| Latest release | Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future 16 June 2000 |
Games
edit| 1992 | Ecco the Dolphin |
|---|---|
| 1993 | |
| 1994 | Ecco: The Tides of Time |
| 1995 | Ecco Jr. |
| Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt | |
| 1996 | |
| 1997 | |
| 1998 | |
| 1999 | |
| 2000 | Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future |
Ecco the Dolphin
editReleased in 1992, the original game followed the exploits of a young dolphin named Ecco as he searches the seas, and eventually time itself, for his missing pod.
Ecco: The Tides of Time
editReleased in 1994, the sequel follows Ecco's exploits after the conclusion of the original game as he travels the oceans, the past, and the future in his quest to save the planet once more.
Ecco Jr.
editReleased in 1995, this title was intended asedutainmentand was less difficult than the previous two titles in series.
When Ecco and his friends find out Big Blue, a wise and famous whale, is nearby, they must do favors and break crystals in order to pass the stage and find him.
Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt
editReleased in 1995, an edutainment game similar to Ecco Jr. on the Sega Genesis, this title was released on theSega Pico.In this game, Ecco and his pals explore the ocean and the ruins that lie within to find various treasures. This game distinguishes itself by utilizing stylus control for the gameplay.
Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future
editReleased in 2000 for theDreamcastand later ported toPlayStation 2,this title re-envisions the Ecco mythos in a new Earth with a new premise.[4]
Ecco II: Sentinels of the Universe(cancelled)
editA sequel toDefender of the Futurewas in development in 2001, but was cancelled due to thedecline of the Dreamcast.A playable build of the game was leaked online in 2016.[5][4]
Ports and related media
editEcco the DolphinandEcco: The Tides of Timewere both re-released for theSega CD,Master SystemandGame Gear,andDefender of the Futurewas originally released for theDreamcastand later re-released for thePlayStation 2.The Sega CD version ofEcco the Dolphinwas ported toMicrosoft Windowsin 1995.Ecco the Dolphinwas also re-released on theGame Boy Advanceas part of the fourthSega Smash Pack.Ecco the Dolphin,Ecco: The Tides of Time,andEcco Jr.can be found on the PlayStation 2 andPlayStation PortablegameSega Genesis Collection.All of the Mega Drive games have been released onValve'sSteamplatform,[6][7][8]as well as being ported toNintendo'sVirtual Console[9]and the first game was ported toMicrosoft'sXbox Live Arcade.[10]
Two six-partcomic bookseries ofEcco the Dolphinstories based on the first game were featured inSonic the Comicin 1993 and 1995. Series one was written byWoodrow Phoenixthe first two issues were drawn by Chris Webster,Steve Whiteprovided art for the remainder of the series.Alan Mckenziewrote series 2.
Legal dispute and aftermath
editIn late 2016 series creatorEd Annunziatareached a settlement with Sega regarding the legal rights to the franchise. The attempt to regain the intellectual property rights, in part, arose from Annunziata's unsuccessful attempt to make a spiritual successor calledThe Big Bluefunded throughKickstarterwhich could not use the Ecco name. Although the exact details of the settlement were unclear, it was believed by media outlets including Venture Beat that it could pave the way for a new installment in the franchise by Annunziata.[11]Soon thereafter, Annunziata himself talked about wanting to revive the series for theNintendo Switch.[12]In a 2019 interview he addressed theBig Blueproject, commenting "I still very strongly believe in the story and the mechanics, but it really can't be a spiritual successor to Ecco, it has to be Ecco! One thing I can say is in the future, people are playing this game. I never give up!"[13]
Soundtrack
edit| Songs of Time | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Soundtrack albumby | |
| Released | September 3, 1996 |
| Genre | Electronica Ambient music |
| Length | 64:17 |
| Producer | SegaSoft |
Ecco: Songs of Timeis asoundtrack albumwhich contains the original soundtrack from theSega CDversions ofEcco the DolphinandEcco: The Tides of Time.[14]It was released on September 3, 1996. The music is composed bySpencer Nilsen.The music is atmospheric and ambient, heavy on high-quality synthesizer, low-frequency percussion and various samples, including dolphin squeaks and squeals.[citation needed]
Track listing
editTracks 1–11 fromEcco: The Tides of Time,tracks 12–18 fromEcco the Dolphin
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Abyss" | 4:41 |
| 2. | "Botswana" | 3:14 |
| 3. | "The Desert Below" | 2:43 |
| 4. | "Deception" | 2:04 |
| 5. | "Deep Marjimba" | 3:14 |
| 6. | "Blue Dream" | 3:25 |
| 7. | "St. Gabriel's Mask" | 4:30 |
| 8. | "Heart of the Giant" | 2:39 |
| 9. | "Transcended" | 3:18 |
| 10. | "Mountains Below" | 3:36 |
| 11. | "Treefish" | 3:48 |
| 12. | "Aqua Vistas" | 4:24 |
| 13. | "Lonesome Search" | 1:49 |
| 14. | "Friend or Foe" | 6:09 |
| 15. | "Motion E" | 4:08 |
| 16. | "The Machine" | 3:25 |
| 17. | "Sounding Echo" | 3:10 |
| 18. | "Time Forgotten" | 3:59 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Goldstein, Hilary (2007-08-17)."IGN:Ecco the DolphinReview ".IGN.Archived fromthe originalon 2007-12-21.Retrieved2008-02-01.
- ^Thomas, Lucas (2006-12-13)."IGN:Ecco the Dolphin(Virtual Console) Review ".IGN.Archived fromthe originalon December 14, 2006.Retrieved2008-02-01.
- ^"Interview with Ed Annunziata".The Arkonviox Network.Archived fromthe originalon 2009-12-26.Retrieved2008-12-13.
- ^ab"News/Ecco II - Sentinels of the Universe (Ecco month part 1) - Hidden Palace".
- ^"15 years later, new Ecco the Dolphin game leaks onto Dreamcast".21 June 2016.
- ^"Ecco The Dolphin on Steam".
- ^"Ecco - The Tides of Time on Steam".
- ^"Ecco Jr. on Steam".
- ^"SEGA games for Wii's VC found on ESRB website".Codename Revolution.Retrieved2006-09-12.
- ^"Ecco the Dolphin- Game Detail Page ".Microsoft.Microsoft. 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-08-23.Retrieved2007-09-25.
- ^Takahasi, Dean (17 December 2016)."Ecco the Dolphin creator settles lawsuit with Sega, possibly paving way for series' rebirth".Venture Beat.Retrieved20 August2019.
- ^George (February 2019)."Ecco the Dolphin creator wants to make new Ecco, Mr. Bones and Three Dirty Dwarves entries on Nintendo Switch".Sega Bits.Retrieved20 August2019.
- ^"What the Creator of Ecco the Dolphin Did Next".February 2019.
- ^"News Bits".GamePro.No. 95.IDG.August 1996. p. 17.
