Ecco the Dolphin
Ecco the Dolphin is a 1992 action-adventure developed by Novotrade for the Sega Genesis, casting the player as a bottlenose dolphin exploring a beautifully rendered undersea world. When his entire pod vanishes, Ecco sets out across the oceans and even through time to uncover the cause.
Gameplay mixed exploration, puzzle-solving, and survival, requiring players to manage a depleting air supply while navigating maze-like reefs and communicating with other sea creatures through sonar, which also mapped the surrounding waters. Its serene atmosphere gave way to a surprisingly strange, science-fiction-tinged story and notoriously demanding difficulty that tested players' patience and precision.
The game stood out for its ambient tone, distinctive art, and layered mystery. It became an unlikely icon of the Genesis library and spawned several sequels across later hardware. Ecco appears in Sega compilations and on classic-game services, where its meditative yet tough adventure still intrigues.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Ecco the Dolphin, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
ABZU Indie
€ 19,99A serene indie underwater exploration game with stunning visuals.
ABZU runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Beyond Blue Indie
€ 19,99A meditative undersea exploration game rich with ocean life.
Beyond Blue runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. It is Steam Deck Verified.
SEGA Genesis Classics
€ 29,99The official Genesis collection includes Ecco the Dolphin.
SEGA Genesis Classics runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Subnautica
€ 29,99Underwater exploration with genuine wonder and genuine dread, the modern heir to Ecco's ocean.
Subnautica runs on PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Under The Waves
€ 29,99A quiet narrative dive through the deep, more about atmosphere than action.
Under The Waves runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Switch. It is Steam Deck Unsupported.
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