33 years after it was first released on Sega Genesis, Ecco the Dolphin is now set to return, thanks to a new trademark submitted by SEGA last month which only became available to the public today, January 14.
In an X post by Gematsu, SEGA has filed trademarks for both "Ecco" and "Ecco the Dolphin, giving SEGA the exclusive rights to use these names in future games.
There were rumors that Ecco the Dolphin will be revealed during the upcoming Xbox Developer Direct this coming January 23. The game might be already in development or its final stages, but one thing is for sure: Ecco is coming back.
Related: Wallace and Gromit DLC for PowerWash Sim VR in Jeopardy After CEO Restructures Team
Fans of the lovable time-traveling dolphin are excited to see Ecco in modern gaming. SEGA is also known for the popular Yakuza series, and many fans are jokingly saying that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, or RGG Studio, will finally recreate Ecco as a modern Yakuza. Titles like Ecco: The Dolphin Who Erased Its Release Date and Like a Dolphine: Infinite Oceans are some of the fun titles players are looking forward to seeing should RGG Studio collaborate with SEGA for Ecco.
Other fans are happy to see legacy IPs from SEGA come back from decades of hibernation. The modern gaming generation seems to be wild about remakes and remasters, just like what Square Enix did for Final Fantasy VII and Konami's plan for Metal Gear Solid: Delta Snake Eater.
It wouldn't be too far-fetched to see Ecco back for next-gen consoles. Imagine having the same quirkiness and charm of the old games while having better graphics and mechanics. Fans will now be able to see Ecco's smug face in 4k.
Whether you are excited about another nostalgia revival once Ecco comes out or prefer SEGA to come up with new IPs, be sure to stay updated with the latest gaming news and stories by following Gfinity Esports.
READ MORE: 'Resident Evil Zero' Remake Rumored to Launch Soon: Insider Leaks Reveal New Details