SEGA Filed A Trademark For “Ecco the Dolphin” Last Month

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Summary

  • SEGA filed a trademark for “Ecco the Dolphin,” hinting at a franchise return.
  • The original Ecco game was well-received for its charm and difficulty.
  • Previous Ecco sequels were released but a planned one for Dreamcast never came to fruition. (117 characters)

Was there a time when you played Ecco the Dolphin? If not, that’s fine because this game dates back to 1992 for the SEGA Genesis. It was all about a dolphin, of course! The developers were Novotrade International and it was published by SEGA.

Is it possible that Ecco the Dolphin franchise could make a comeback at some stage? Sega has recently registered the trademarks “Ecco the Dolphin” and “Ecco” in Japan.

Ecco the Dolphin Might Be Ready to Swim Again

Gematsu recently uncovered a filing that was submitted on December 27, but only became public knowledge today.

Back in its day, Ecco the Dolphin was highly regarded among adventure games, although it may appear basic by today’s standards. This game tells the tale of a dolphin named Ecco on his quest to find his lost family group (pod). Originally designed for European players, Ryoichi Hasegawa successfully tailored the experience for Japanese audiences.

The game stood out with its challenging nature, uncomplicated yet captivating visuals, and non-violent game mechanics – a rarity in today’s gaming landscape.

Back in 1994, I was thrilled to discover that there was a sequel to the captivating adventure of Ecco the Dolphin, entitled “Ecco: Tides of Time.” Picking up where the original game ended, I found myself once again swimming alongside Ecco as he navigated through the vast oceans and leapt across the sands of time. This time, our mission was to save the planet from a looming threat. What an unforgettable journey!

In 1995, following the sequel, a new game titled Ecco Jr. was launched. Unlike the initial two releases, it leaned more towards education and entertainment, and it was noticeably less challenging compared to its predecessors.

In the same year, another title from the Ecco edutainment series, named Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt, made its debut on both the SEGA Genesis and SEGA Pico systems (an educational gaming console). In this adventure, Ecco and his companions journey through the ocean and ancient ruins in search of hidden treasures, and it offers a unique stylus control option for gameplay.

The most recent game from the Ecco series that was launched was “Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future” for SEGA Dreamcast, which became available for purchase in 2000. This version reimagines the Ecco storyline in a fresh, new world with a unique backstory. It was later adapted for PlayStation 2 in 2002 as well.

The follow-up game titled “Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe” was intended to be made, however, it was not ultimately created because its development was underway for the Dreamcast console, which ceased production in 2001.

It’s possible, but not definitive, that a new Ecco game is being developed. Alternatively, it could be that Sega is re-releasing the old games or perhaps incorporating them into their planned Netflix-style subscription service. Additionally, it might be a game teased for the upcoming Xbox Developer Direct show on January 23rd, which hinted at an unannounced title as part of the event. We’ll find out for sure once the event begins.

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2025-01-14 04:08