The game featured infinite tries and levels divided up with a password system. The second-to-last level featured a force-scrolled maze where a mis-timed movement meant instant death. Many jumps out of the water, over small islands and ruined buildings, were also difficult.

Among many other things, the twisting underwater passages in many levels, combined with the air limit, often led to death and frustration. The original Ecco was considered by many to have a very high level of difficulty. Others gave information, and a few in later levels would replenish health/air and give Ecco temporary invulnerability. Some blocked paths, and a 'Key-Glyph' had to be found in such cases to pass. Several levels contain enormous crystals called 'Glyphs', which would respond in different ways if Ecco touches or sings to them. The enemies range from seahorses to giant octopodes. Touching any enemy by any means other than an attack causes Ecco to sustain damage. Ecco's song could be optionally 'upgraded' at two points in the game one upgrade allowed Ecco's song to be used in combination with a charge as a long-range weapon, and the other temporarily disoriented sharks and made minor enemies freeze temporarily. His health was measured by a separate meter it was depleted by enemies or when his air meter had run out, and it is recharged by eating fish, 'singing' to clams, or, later in the game, singing to special statues or crystals called 'Glyphs'. If the 'air meter' ran out, Ecco would lose health rapidly-this represented drowning. Additionally, Ecco, being a mammal, has to surface periodically for air, or else find an air vent. The same button is used for echolocation holding it down would cause the song to return, generating a map of the area. Two features of the game played on actual dolphin habits one button causes Ecco to sing, allowing him to speak with other cetaceans and interact with certain objects. Players can perform a purely aesthetic spin in the air when jumping out of the water. Swimming could be made progressively faster by tapping a certain button, and the speed could be maintained by holding it down. Attacking enemies is accomplished by making Ecco ram into them at high speeds. The gameplay is essentially side-scrolling, with horizontal, diagonal and vertical movement. 3.6 Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection.

Download ecco the dolphin jr