Title: SEGA 3D Reprint Archives (セガ3D復刻アーカイブス)
Media: Cartridge
System: Nintendo 3DS
Catalogue: CTR-P-BFKJ TSA-CTR-BFKJ-JPN
Released: 18/12/2014
Region: NTSC-J (Region Free)
Scans: Cover | Cartridge | Manual Sample | Manual [PDF]
Information:
The SEGA 3D Reprint Archives was a release that saw the only physical issue of 3D Ecco The Dolphin, a 3D enhanced port that was made by M2 for SEGA and released back on 26th of June in 2013. The port featured both the international and Japanese versions of the game, something M2 reported was difficult to do as both roms are very different in how they behaved, so building a map editor in 3D to allow them to code the effects was quite a feat, and includes a Super Dolphin mode so people can play the game in god-mode essentially to mitigate its difficulty.
The release itself is interesting in that this physical copy was only issued in Japan, as Ed Annunziata was in legal discussions for Ecco with Sega in 2014 from what we know, making the SEGA Classics collection releases internationally only contain the games from the reprint archives 2nd and 3rd iterations. The companion book for the series which featured extensive behind the scenes access, production art, and interviews has 3D Ecco The Dolphin greyed out with a notice of 'due to circumstances [unforseen/out of our control] this work cannot be shown' and the removal of Ecco in the Sugimori cover art for the book.
Additional Photos:
Coming soon!