Editing Ecco the Dolphin (section)

== Gameplay ==

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 [[Whale song|sing]], allowing him to speak with other cetaceans and interact with certain objects. The same button is used for [[Animal echolocation|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. 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 [[clam]]s, or, later in the game, singing to special statues or crystals called "Glyphs". 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.  Touching any enemy by any means other than an attack causes Ecco to sustain damage.  The enemies range from seahorses to giant octopodes.  

Several levels contain enormous crystals called "Glyphs", which would respond in different ways if Ecco touches or sings to them. Some blocked paths, and a "Key-Glyph" had to be found in such cases to pass. Others gave information, and a few in later levels would replenish health/air and give Ecco temporary invulnerability.

The original Ecco was considered by many to have a very high level of difficulty. Among many other things, the twisting underwater passages in many levels, combined with the air limit, often led to death and frustration. Many jumps out of the water, over small islands and ruined buildings, were also difficult. The second-to-last level featured a force-scrolled maze where a mis-timed movement meant instant death. The game featured infinite tries and levels divided up with a password system. (The Japanese version of the game made the aforementioned level slightly easier and allowed the player to resume partway through if they died.)

An unexpectedly high amount of this game's fanbase expressed having played the game with fear when younger, due to the game's surprisingly dark nature; expecting the game to be a "nice, cute game with dolphins," instead they found a darker game. Some of the points that struck fear in the younger audience were the darkening waters as Ecco swims deeper, the unsuspected enemies (mainly the large octopodes) and even the music.

The second-to-last level of the game was entitled "[[Welcome to the Machine]]," a reference to a song by [[Pink Floyd]].  The [[Ecco: The Tides of Time|sequel]] featured a level called "[[A New Machine|New Machine]]," a reference to a later Pink Floyd song.<ref name='ARKON'>{{cite web|url=http://www.arkonviox.com/pink-floyd.htm |title=Arkonviox.com - Welcome to the Machine and Pink Floyd }}</ref>