| Console: | Sega Master System |
| TV Standard: | Region Not Set |
| Developer(s): | Novotrade International |
| Publisher(s): | Sega |
| Release Date: | 1993-01-01 |
| Players: | 1 |
| Co-op: | No |
| ESRB: | E - Everyone |
| Type: | Action, Adventure |
The gameplay is essentially side-scrolling, with horizontal, diagonal and vertical movement. Attacking enemies is accomplished by making Ecco ram into them at high speeds. Swimming could be made progressively faster by tapping a certain button, and the speed could be maintained by holding it down. Players can perform a purely aesthetic spin in the air when jumping out of the water. 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. The same button is used for echolocation; holding it down would cause the song to return, generating a map of the area. Additionally, Ecco, being a mammal, has to surface periodically for air, or else find an air vent. If the "air meter" ran out, Ecco would lose health rapidly-this represented drowning.
Game Player of Ecco the Dolphin on Sega Master SystemGenerally, you can review the controls (keyboard) setting during each game in the screen before it starts. Use the arrow keys and “Z”, “X”, “A”, “S”, “Q”, “E” buttons to play, or customize yourself with your gamepad or keyboard.
| Keyboard | Controls |
| ← → ↑ ↓ | Directions for LEFT, RIGHT, UP, DOWN |
| Enter ↵ | START |
| Shift | SELECT |
| Z | A |
| X | B |
| A | X |
| S | Y |
| Q | L |
| E | R |
