Sonic the Hedgehog Classic
Sega Genesis / Mega Drive · Platformer / Action
Ecco the Dolphin
Certified classic
| System | Sega Genesis / Mega Drive |
|---|---|
| Released | 1992 |
| Genre | Platformer, Action |
| Developer | Novotrade |
| Publisher | SEGA |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Ecco the Dolphin |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 14 |
Developed by Novotrade and published by SEGA, Ecco the Dolphin arrived on the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1992 as a platformer. It blends platformer and action elements.
It landed about 3 years into the Genesis's life. Other notable Genesis releases from 1992 include Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Lemmings and Streets of Rage 2. Among the 160 Genesis platformers in our database, it ranks #15 by legacy score.
It is part of the Ecco the Dolphin series; on the Genesis you can also try Ecco: The Tides of Time and Ecco Jr.. The series also appears on other systems with Ecco the Dolphin (Master System) and Ecco the Dolphin (Sega CD). Novotrade also made Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – Crossroads of Time and Richard Scarry's Busytown for the Genesis.
This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you want to experience one of the Genesis's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Ecco the Dolphin is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
Ecco the Dolphin cheats & codes
30 codes on file (Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:
| Infinite Health | FFB634:0040 |
|---|---|
| Infinite Air | FFB636:0400 |
| Health Meter Stays The Same (Official Codes) | FFB635:0038 |
| Air Meter Stays The Same (Official Codes) | FFB636:0003 |
| Ghost Ecco (Use The D-Pad And C To Move/Swim) | FFB63F:11 |
| Level Select | FFA61C:XX |
Ecco the Dolphin walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Ecco the Dolphin.
If you like Ecco the Dolphin, the Matrix also picks…
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Classic Co-op
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Classic
Earthworm Jim Classic
Ecco: The Tides of Time Classic
Disney's Aladdin Classic
Aero the Acro-Bat Classic
Playing Genesis games today
Genesis games are fast and immediate, and many are made for two players. Official collections and Nintendo Switch Online carry a big slice of the library, and Rec0m88 can run your own Genesis backups with online netplay.
Ecco the Dolphin FAQ
When did Ecco the Dolphin come out on the Genesis?
Ecco the Dolphin was released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1992.
Who made Ecco the Dolphin?
It was developed by Novotrade and published by SEGA.
Is Ecco the Dolphin multiplayer?
No. Ecco the Dolphin is a single-player game.
How long does Ecco the Dolphin take to play?
As a platformer, Ecco the Dolphin typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Ecco the Dolphin on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.