Ecco the Dolphin (Xbox 360)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.0 stars Good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 6.5 (3.0 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Frank Provo
• Reviewed on: 08/20/2007
• Released on: 08/15/2007
• Originally published on GameSpot: Ecco the Dolphin (Xbox 360) Review

The second volume in Sega's Vintage Collection for Xbox Live Arcade is Ecco the Dolphin, a game that made a splash on the Sega Genesis back in 1993, giving players the chance to patrol the seas as a dolphin. For better or worse, this rendition of Ecco's first adventure is a barebones emulation of the original cartridge. However, a couple of minor upgrades have been implemented, which make it just a bit easier to enjoy the tropical atmosphere and splashy gameplay.

In the game, you play a bottlenose dolphin named Ecco that's looking for his missing pod mates. The search spans 25 levels and takes you to various underwater locations around the world. Even though the game is technically a 2D side-scroller, you don't run or jump. Instead, you use the controller to guide Ecco's swimming, make him perform a ram attack, or use his sonar. In the beginning, you'll rely on the ram to get rid of sharks or puffer fish because the sonar is mainly used to talk to other dolphins. But eventually, you'll collect an upgrade that will turn Ecco's sonar into a deadly weapon. The basic design of each level involves navigating mazelike passages where other dolphins point you in the direction of fish or glyphs. While you're going through a level, you'll also need to take care to replenish Ecco's health and air stores by eating fish and surfacing into air pockets.

Making Ecco swim around, perform aerial backflips, and consume fish is exhilarating, but this definitely isn't a game for guppies. The level layouts are tricky, as well as full of spike traps and respawning enemies. It's also easy to become disoriented traveling inside the look-alike tunnels because the clues the other dolphins provide don't always point you in the right direction. On top of all that, Ecco doesn't turn very fast, and his hit box is larger than his visible body dimensions. As a result, Ecco's momentum will occasionally pull you into sharks or jellyfish. Or you may find yourself taking damage from obstacles that Ecco is close to but isn't actually touching. For the Xbox Live Arcade version of the game, a save-state feature has been implemented, which allows you to instantly save and restore your spot at any time. Because of that, the intense difficulty and sketchy flaws aren't as frustrating to deal with as they were in the original Sega Genesis version. However, you'll still need to work very hard to beat the game.

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