Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future

Hot Games

A game with a porpoise, and that porpoise is to entertain the witty and insightful gamer. This is not a fishy fighting game.

Daily Radar

With only a few camera issues to stomach and a raised eyebrow given to the level of difficulty (especially in later stages), Ecco's 25+ stages of fluid, gorgeous gameplay show it has the brawn to back up its beauty.

GamePro

It is rare that a game this difficult can be this entertaining, but Ecco delivers the goods with a huge splash.

Game Fan

From the moment the title screens blinks on your television, to the time you finally force yourself to slap your dorsal fin on the "off" switch, you're bombarded with brilliance and visual splendor the likes we've haven't seen in ages.

Da Gameboyz

The best-looking game I have seen in a long while and it combines that with a great main character, an engaging story and fabulous locations.

Spank!

The audio is wonderful and matches the graphics, though the storyline is fairly pointless, and there's a certain childlike quality to it that could annoy but was fine with me.

Core Magazine

From the first instant that this GD-ROM starts spinning until the final level is finished, Ecco's gorgeous graphics, amazing soundtrack, and unique premise will captivate players.

Gaming Age

It's absorbing, beautiful, plays well, and will provide many, many hours of adventuring.

Total Video Games

If there was one thing that I had to moan about, it would be the story which involves Humans and Dolphins travelling outer space in little bubbles, until an evil alien species invades the earth and it's up to Ecco to save the day whilst the rest our up in space...

Sega X

There's still much to do, and with some patience and an appreciation of exploration, "Ecco the Dolphin" can end up more fun than a barrel of sea monkeys.

Dreamcast.net

If you like solving riddles and whatnot, "Ecco" can be a very enjoyable experience. If you don't, then you may want to simply give the game a rent and see what you think of it.

GamerWeb Sega

"Defender of the Future," like a fine wine, should be savored; not slammed for the quick buzz it might provide. Buy it.

Game Revolution

With great presentation and control to go along with plenty of challenging gameplay, "Ecco" still looks like a winner.

AllDreamcast

Playing "Ecco" is like transforming your room into a submersible underwater vehicle, with your tv screen being your window into the ocean depths.

GameSpot

If you like to boot up a game for an action-packed twenty minutes at a time, look elsewhere.

Planet Dreamcast

If you persist and have the time to learn Ecco's massive levels, however, you'll find it immensely rewarding, especially once you reach Atlantis itself.

Antagonist

It's WAY too hard to figure out what you're supposed to do.

IGN

The in-game hints are cryptic and sometimes flat wrong.

Happy Puppy

If the storyline were simplified, the objectives more clearly stated, and the technical glitches ironed out, then this game would be an absolute classic.

CNET Gamecenter

A beautiful game that comes close to "classic" status, but doesn't quite deliver.

CheckOut

A graphical dream stuck in a gameplay nightmare.

Dreamcast HQ

And while the game itself is straightforward in gameplay, the difficulty of the puzzles are almost outrageous.

Gaming Maxx

Hardcore gamers should absolutely love this game because of the challenge it presents, but regular gamers like myself might have a bit of trouble swallowing the frustrating gameplay.

Maxim Online

Offers enough twists to make us take the bait.

DC Swirl

It's unfortunate that a few things like a more intuitive training level and a lock-on button prevent "Ecco" from greatness.

Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

It looks absolutely stunning, but for all but a minority, the game play doesn't match up to expectations.