Ecco the Dolphin

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Ecco the Dolphin

Ecco the Dolphin
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Novotrade International
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear, Sega Mega CD, PC, Virtual Console
ROM Size: Sega Mega Drive/Genesis 1MB Sega Master System 512KB
Genre: Action












Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive/Genesis JP 1993-07-30 ¥6,800 G-4106
Sega Mega Drive/Genesis US 1992-07-29 $? 1042
Sega Mega Drive/Genesis EU 1992-07-31 £?  ?
Sega Mega Drive/Genesis AU 199x $?  ?
Sega Mega Drive/Genesis BR 199x $?  ?
Sega Master System EU 1993 £? 9029
Sega Master System AU 199x $?  ?
Sega Game Gear JP 1994-03-11 ¥3,800 G-3344
Sega Game Gear US 1993 $?  ?
Sega Game Gear EU 1993 £?  ?
Sega Mega CD US 1993 $? 4408
Sega Mega CD EU 1993 £? 4408
PCs JP 1993-12-13 ¥7,800 (8,190) HCJ-0114
PCs US 1996 $?  ?
PCs EU 1996-03 £29.99 MK 85013-50
Virtual Console JP 2006-12-02 600 points  ?
Virtual Console US 2006-11-28 800 points  ?
Virtual Console EU 2006-12-08 800 points  ?


Ecco the Dolphin (エコー・ザ・ドルフィン) (sometimes known simply as Ecco) is a successful video game developed by Novotrade International and published by Sega for the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System (only in Europe), Sega Game Gear and later Sega Mega CD. It is one of the Mega Drive's most well-known titles, and spawned numerous sequels. The game features a bottlenosed dolphin named Ecco on a sidescrolling underwater adventure. The game is noted for its high difficulty level, and though appears to appeal to a younger audience, has a much deeper and darker story than anticipated. Ecco on the Mega CD features a full redbook audio soundtrack composed by Spencer Nilsen and has re-designed levels.

Ecco was has been re-released in several formats over the years, usually in its original Mega Drive form. It was included in Sega Mega Drive Collection for the Sony PlayStation 2 and Sony PlayStation Portable, and was released as a downloadable title through the RealOne Arcade service (also in the form of a one hour trial version). In 2006 it was released on the Wii's Virtual Console service, and in 2007 became a downloadable title through the Xbox Live Arcade service. Ecco was also included in Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection. It was also ported to the PC in 1996.

Ecco the Dolphin was followed by Ecco: The Tides of Time.

Contents

Artwork

Production Credits

Mega Drive Version

~In-game credits~
Producer: E. Ettore Annunziata
Design: E. Annunziata, L. Szenttornyai
Project Manager: L. Szenttornyai
Main Programmer: József Molnár
Great Art: Zsolt Balogh -Talent‑
Basic Programmers: Mihály Brudnyák, Fox
Music: András Magyari, Spencer N. Nilsen, Brian Coburn
Marketing: Al Nilsen
Testing: Casey Grimm, Mark Lindstrom, David Forster
Special Thanks: Clyde Grossman, Stephen Friedman, Andras Csaszar, Imi, Cassandra, Eszter, Brigitta, Balázs

Mega CD Version

~In-game credits~
Producer: E. Ettore Annunziata
Design: E. Annunziata, L. Szenttornyai
CD Version: Tassonyi Kadocsa
Great Art: Zsolt Balogh -Talent‑
Programmers: József Molnár, Mihály Brudnyák, Fox
Music Composed and Produced by: Spencer Nilsen
Wind Synthesizer Performed by: Mitch Manker
Whale Voices Courtesy of: Madacy Music Group
Digital Sound Effects: Brian Coburn
Digichrome™ Video Processing by: Digital Pictures, Inc.
Narrator: Alan Bruce
Marketing: Al Nilsen
Testing: Dianna Boundy, David Forster, Dermot Lyons, Christine Watson, Mike Gilmartin, Sá Mezei
Special Thanks: Clyde Grossman, Stephen Friedman, Andras Csaszar, Imi, Cassandra, Ildi, Timea

Game Gear and Master System Versions

Producer: Jerry Markota
Marketing: Ami Blaire
Creator of Ecco: Ed Annunziata
Developer: Novotrade
Technical Director: László Mérõ
Main Programmer: Attila Bús
Programmer: Balázs Pápai
Artist: Eszter Páris
Music: Csaba Gigor, Gábor Foltán
Hardware Support: Lajos Szabó
Special Thanks: Andrea Eszterhai, László Szenttornyai, József Molnár
Lead Testers: Dianna Boundy, Conan Tigard, Christine Watson
Testers: Ray Alferez, Mike Bench, Blair Bullock, Shrinivasan Chandrasekara, Harry Chavez, Janine Cook, Aron Drayer, Ivan Foong, David Forster, Jason Friedman, Mike Gilmartin, Richie Hideshima, Keith Higashihara, Lawrence Jeung, Tracy Johnson, Wing Kwan, Vasily Lewis, Jeff Loney, Simon Lu, Tony Lynch, Julio Martinez, Pete McNab, Mike Madden, Heather Meigs, Lance Nelson, Andrew Podesta, Kirk Rogers, Bruno Sarret, Maria Tuzzo, Katherine Weathers

Physical Scans

Mega Drive Version







































Sega Mega Drive/Genesis 88 Sega Retro Average
Based on 6 reviews
Publication Score Source
ASM ­† 67
Game Power 92
Hobby Consolas 91
Mean Machines Sega 97
Player One 90
Sega Force (Sweden) 92
Mega Drive, US
EccoTheDolphin md us cover.jpg
Cover
EccoTheDolphin md us cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU
EccoTheDolphin md eu cover.jpg
Cover
EccoTheDolphin md eu cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
EccoTheDolphin md jp cover.jpg
Cover
Ecco MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, AU (Gold Collection)
EccoTheDolphin md au cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, BR
Ecco MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart

Mega CD Version







































Sega Mega CD 91 Sega Retro Average
Based on 5 reviews
Publication Score Source
EDGE 80
Game Power 92
Joypad 96
Player One 95
Power Unlimited 90
Mega CD, US
Ecco scd us backcover.jpgEccoTheDolphin scd us cover.jpg
Cover
Ecco scd us disc.jpg
Disc
Mega CD, EU
EccoTheDolphin scd eu backcover.jpgEccoTheDolphin scd eu cover.jpg
Cover
Ecco1 mcd eu disc.jpg
Disc
Mega CD, EU (Later Print)
Ecco MCD EU Box Back Alt.jpgEcco MCD EU Box Front Alt.jpg
Cover

Game Gear Version







































Sega Game Gear 89 Sega Retro Average
Based on 5 reviews
Publication Score Source
Consoles + 90
Joypad 85
Mega Force 82
Player One 96
Sega Force (Sweden) 92
Game Gear, US
EccoTheDolphin gg us cover.jpg
Cover
EccoTheDolphin gg us cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, EU
EccoTheDolphin gg eu cover.jpg
Cover
EccoTheDolphin gg eu cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, JP
Ecco GG JP Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngEccoTheDolphin gg jp cover.jpg
Cover

Master System Version







































Sega Master System 91 Sega Retro Average
Based on 2 reviews
Publication Score Source
Consoles + 88
Player One 94
Master System, EU
EccoTheDolphin sms eu cover.jpg
Cover
EccoTheDolphin sms eu cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (silver)
Ecco MS AU Cart.jpg
Cart

PC Version







































PCs 76 Sega Retro Average
Based on 1 review
Publication Score Source
Computer & Video Games 76 №173
PC, EU
Ecco PC EU Box Back.jpgEcco PC EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
PC, JP
Ecco PC JP cover.png
Cover

External Links

Games in the Ecco the Dolphin Series
Sega Mega Drive Ecco the Dolphin (1992) | Ecco: The Tides of Time (1994) | Ecco Jr. (1995)
Sega Mega CD Ecco the Dolphin CD (1995)
Sega Dreamcast Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future (2000) | Ecco the Dolphin 2: Sentinels of the Universe (Unreleased)