The mastermind behind the beloved Ecco the Dolphin series, Ed Annunziata, has just dropped some thrilling news that's sending waves of excitement through the gaming community. In a recent interview on Xbox Wire, Annunziata not only announced remakes of the original games but also revealed that a brand new "third" installment is in the works.

Annunziata shared his plans with enthusiasm, stating, "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." This announcement comes as a surprise, especially considering there's already a third game in the series, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, released on the Dreamcast in 2000, though Annunziata was not involved in its development. Additionally, a sequel titled Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe, intended as a direct follow-up to Defender of the Future, was unfortunately cancelled.

The news has sparked a wave of nostalgia and anticipation among fans. One fan expressed their excitement, saying, "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 humorously remarked, "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 release dates, a countdown on the official Ecco the Dolphin website hints at a reunion with Ecco in approximately 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 classic. Its sequel, Ecco: The Tides of Time, followed in 1994. The series also ventured into edutainment with Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt in 1995, focusing on educational content.

In the original Ecco the Dolphin, players guide the titular dolphin through a devastated underwater world, navigating through treacherous reefs and icy floes to reunite with his pod. A 2000 remake was met with mixed reviews; our take was, "Ecco the Dolphin is a classic from SEGA. But sometimes classics should stay in the past." Similarly, the 2007 remake received criticism in IGN's Ecco the Dolphin review, which noted, "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."

However, the last mainline game, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, fared better, earning a 7.6 score in IGN's Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future review. The review praised the game, 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."