About

<h2>Overview</h2><figure data-ref-id="1300-246400" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/8480/246400-ecco1.png" data-size="small" data-align="right" data-ratio="0.7" data-width="320" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 320px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:70.0%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/8480/246400-ecco1.png" data-ref-id="1300-246400"><img alt="You are a dolphin!" src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/8480/246400-ecco1.png" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/8480/246400-ecco1.png 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></a><figcaption>You are a dolphin!</figcaption></figure><p>Ecco the Dolphin (also known as <em>Ecco</em>) is an aquatic side-scrolling action-adventure game developed by <a href="/novotrade-international/3010-902/" data-ref-id="3010-902">Novotrade</a> and published by <a href="/sega/3010-62/" data-ref-id="3010-62">Sega</a> for the <a href="/genesis/3045-6/" data-ref-id="3045-6">Genesis</a> in Europe (on July 31, 1992), North America (on December 29, 1992), and Japan (on July 30, 1993).</p><p>Players control a <a href="/dolphin/3015-3049/" data-ref-id="3015-3049">bottlenose dolphin</a> named <a href="/ecco-the-dolphin/3005-655/" data-ref-id="3005-655">Ecco</a> (unique to other dolphins for the six star markings on his forehead) as he embarks on a journey through the <a href="/ocean/3035-2095/" data-ref-id="3035-2095">oceans</a>, trying to figure out the whereabouts of his group (who were sucked up in a mysterious waterspout) while helping fellow dolphins along the way.</p><p>Along with its unconventional gameplay mechanics (including a dedicated "sing" button for interaction and <a href="/echolocation/3015-8005/" data-ref-id="3015-8005">echolocation</a>), the game is known for its extreme level of difficulty (which would be a staple for the main games of the series) and bizarre plot development (including <a href="/atlantis/3035-399/" data-ref-id="3035-399">lost civilizations</a>, <a href="/time-travel/3015-73/" data-ref-id="3015-73">time travel</a>, and <a href="/alien-abduction/3015-1837/" data-ref-id="3015-1837">alien abductions</a>). It would later spawn a sequel (<a href="/ecco-the-tides-of-time/3030-15751/" data-ref-id="3030-15751">Ecco: The Tides of Time</a>), a kid-friendly spin-off (<a href="/ecco-jr/3030-16468/" data-ref-id="3030-16468">Ecco Jr.</a>), and a 3D reboot (<a href="/ecco-the-dolphin-defender-of-the-future/3030-3937/" data-ref-id="3030-3937">Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future</a>).</p><p>Along with downscaled ports to the <a href="/sega-master-system/3045-8/" data-ref-id="3045-8">Sega Master System</a> and <a href="/game-gear/3045-5/" data-ref-id="3045-5">Game Gear</a>, the game was ported to the <a href="/sega-cd/3045-29/" data-ref-id="3045-29">Sega CD</a> less than a year later. This version (known in Japan as <em>Ecco the Dolphin CD</em>) features a bonus set of levels and new soundtrack (using <a href="/redbook-audio/3015-6487/" data-ref-id="3015-6487">Redbook audio</a>), and was later ported to the <a href="/pc/3045-94/" data-ref-id="3045-94">PC</a> in Japan and North America (both in 1996, featuring new high-resolution sprites based on those from the sequel). The original game was digitally re-released for the <a href="/wii/3045-36/" data-ref-id="3045-36">Wii</a> (via <a href="/virtual-console/3015-2925/" data-ref-id="3015-2925">Virtual Console</a> on November 27, 2006), <a href="/xbox-360/3045-20/" data-ref-id="3045-20">Xbox 360</a> (via <a href="/xbox-360-games-store/3045-86/" data-ref-id="3045-86">Xbox Live Arcade</a> on August 15, 2007), PC (via <a href="/steam/3015-718/" data-ref-id="3015-718">Steam</a> on June 1, 2010), and most <a href="/iphone/3045-96/" data-ref-id="3045-96">iOS</a> devices (on July 22, 2010), and was included in two compilations: <a href="/sega-genesis-collection/3030-14457/" data-ref-id="3030-14457">Sega Genesis Collection</a> (for the <a href="/playstation-2/3045-19/" data-ref-id="3045-19">PlayStation 2</a> and <a href="/playstation-portable/3045-18/" data-ref-id="3045-18">PlayStation Portable</a>), and <a href="/sonics-ultimate-genesis-collection/3030-24218/" data-ref-id="3030-24218">Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection</a> (for the <a href="/xbox-360/3045-20/" data-ref-id="3045-20">Xbox 360</a> and <a href="/playstation-3/3045-35/" data-ref-id="3045-35">PlayStation 3</a>).</p><p>An enhanced port was made for the <a href="/nintendo-3ds/3045-117/" data-ref-id="3045-117">Nintendo 3DS</a> (as <em>3D Ecco the Dolphin</em>, part of Sega's 3D Classics remake series) and digitally released on the 3DS <a href="/nintendo-3ds-eshop/3045-138/" data-ref-id="3045-138">eShop</a> on December 12, 2013 (June 26, 2013 in Japan). This version features <a href="/stereoscopic-3d/3015-1204/" data-ref-id="3015-1204">stereoscopic 3D</a> and a significantly-easier difficulty setting (adding invulnerability and unlimited air).</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><p>Players can swim Ecco around the screen with the D-Pad and perform three abilities with Ecco using buttons:</p><ul><li><strong>Sonar</strong> (A) - Allows him to sing a sonar blast, which are used to communicate with some of the other creatures (such as other dolphins, whales, and orcas), activate Glyphs (namely to remove Barrier Glyphs after previously touched a Key Glyph), and ward off certain enemies (namely starfish). Holding down the Sonar button until the blast returns allows him to <a href="/echolocation/3015-8005/" data-ref-id="3015-8005">echolocate</a>, bringing up a <a href="/maps/3015-1780/" data-ref-id="3015-1780">map screen</a> showing information in the chosen direction.</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Charge</strong> (B) - Allows him to perform a quick high-speed charge, which can be used to attack enemy creatures and obstacles and eat smaller fish to replenish health.</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Speed Swim</strong> (C) - Allows him to swim at a higher speed while the button is held down, slightly reducing his fine-control.</li></ul><p>Ecco can unlock some new abilities throughout the game, such as being able to attack with Sonar (by pressing the button while charging).</p><h2>Levels</h2><ol><li><strong>Medusa Bay</strong></li><li><strong>Undercaves</strong></li><li><strong>The Vents</strong> (unavailable in the 8-bit versions)</li><li><strong>The Lagoon</strong> (unavailable in the 8-bit versions)</li><li><strong>Ridge Water</strong></li><li><strong>Open Ocean</strong></li><li><strong>Ice Zone</strong> (unavailable in the 8-bit versions)</li><li><strong>Hard Water</strong> (unavailable in the 8-bit versions)</li><li><strong>Cold Water</strong></li><li><strong>Open Ocean</strong> (part two, unavailable in the Genesis version)</li><li><strong>Island Zone</strong> (unavailable in the 8-bit versions)</li><li><strong>Deep Water</strong></li><li><strong>Volcanic Reef</strong> (SCD and Windows versions only)</li><li><strong>Ship Grave Sea</strong> (SCD and Windows versions only)</li><li><strong>Wreck Trap</strong> (SCD and Windows versions only)</li><li><strong>The Sea of Silence</strong> (SCD and Windows versions only)</li><li><strong>Deep Gate</strong> (SCD and Windows versions only)</li><li><strong>The Marble Sea</strong> (unavailable in the 8-bit versions)</li><li><strong>The Library</strong> (unavailable in the 8-bit versions)</li><li><strong>Deep City</strong> (unavailable in the 8-bit versions)</li><li><strong>City of Forever</strong></li><li><strong>Jurassic Beach</strong> (unavailable in the 8-bit versions)</li><li><strong>Pteranodon Pond</strong> (unavailable in the 8-bit versions)</li><li><strong>Origin Beach</strong></li><li><strong>Trilobite Circle</strong> (unavailable in the 8-bit versions)</li><li><strong>Dark Water</strong></li><li><strong>Deep Water</strong> (part two)</li><li><strong>City of Forever</strong> (part two)</li><li><strong>The Tube</strong></li><li><strong>Welcome To The Machine</strong></li><li><strong>The Last Fight</strong> (known as The Vortex in the 8-bit versions)</li></ol>