The Japanese name of Ecco The Tides of Time, identical at heart. Mainly a pick for collectors, with a few minor presentation differences.
Your verdict
Category
Action Adventure1 player3+
Description
Ecco the dolphin returns to the depths to save his pod in this Japanese sequel to Sega's masterpiece. Published by Sega, released in Japan in October 1994. Ecco the Dolphin sequel with new mechanics, varied aquatic enemies and continued epic narration.
Ecco the Dolphin II review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
The Japanese edition foregrounds what strikes at once: the anatomical accuracy of the sea animals, dolphins, orcas and rays drawn from life, and the empty immensity around them. The floating glyphs, the only geometric objects in this universe, cut against the organic backgrounds. A contemplative visual direction, at times almost documentary.
Extending the atmospheric vein of the first, Spencer Nilsen unfurls even more elaborate compositions, blending synth pads and melodic flights. The music embraces Ecco's time travel with a striking dreamlike depth. This drifting sonic beauty remains a unique signature of the series.
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Collector interest
The Japanese edition of Ecco the Dolphin II is the local pressing of the Novotrade sequel, distributed by Sega Enterprises in Japan in an extremely limited print run. Its collector value is very high: with the franchise never finding its audience in Japan, the JP version of the sequel is even rarer than that of the first installment, a configuration seldom seen on the secondary market.
Is Ecco the Dolphin II still worth playing in 2026?
A direct sequel to Ecco the Dolphin by Novotrade and Sega, The Tides of Time offers an even more ambitious and demanding marine adventure. The three dimensional swimming, the echolocation based puzzles and the contemplative atmosphere remain unique in video gaming. The Mega CD version benefits from the redbook soundtrack by Spencer Nilsen that transforms the experience. A difficult but deeply singular adventure, the title remains a work apart that still largely deserves discovery today truly here on the Sega CD machine for any patient newcomer.
