Sega files new Ecco the Dolphin trademarks suggesting a reboot could be on the way
Sega has filed two trademarks for Ecco the Dolphin, the company's classic 1990s franchise that has not received a new entry since 2000, implying that a reboot is in the works.
The details:
As reported by Gematsu, Sega filed trademarks for "Ecco" and "Ecco the Dolphin" in Japan on December 27, which became public yesterday.
Although the trademarks do not officially confirm that a new entry is in the works, Sega may return to the franchise as part of its upcoming series of classic reboots. In December 2023, the company announced that older IPs, such as Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, and Shinobi, would receive entirely new entries with a combination of new and old gameplay, such as Crazy Taxi becoming an open-world multiplayer title.
Ecco the Dolphin, which was originally released on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive in 1992, featured the titular character exploring the seas in search of his pod after becoming separated. The game's unique setting, puzzle-oriented gameplay, and soundtrack helped it become a best-seller on the console, spawning a sequel and multiple spin-offs aimed at younger players.
The series' most recent entry, 2000's Defender of the Future for the Dreamcast, was considered a reboot as it altered the franchise's lore and was the first Ecco game in 3D. Due to the failure of the Dreamcast, a sequel, Sentinels of the Universe, was canceled, and Sega abandoned the series outside of various ports for 25 years.
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