Summary
- Nintendo has excluded the individual developers from Retro Studios in the credits of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD.
- Nintendo's history of condensing credits in remastered games has faced criticism from developers.
The upcoming release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD on January 16, 2025, brings a remastered version of the beloved 2010 Wii platformer to Nintendo Switch users. However, it has come to light that the original developers at Retro Studios have been omitted from the remastered game's credits.
The Nintendo Switch stands out as a premier platform for retro gaming, thanks to its portability and extensive library of classic titles. Nintendo has capitalized on this by remastering and remaking iconic games, enhancing them with new content and improved graphics to appeal to both long-time fans and new players. Notable examples include the revamped Super Mario RPG, remasters of the Advance Wars series, and the resurgence of narrative-driven games like the Famicom Detective Club series.
Among these remastered classics is the Donkey Kong Country series. As the release date for Donkey Kong Country Returns HD approaches, it has been confirmed by news outlets with pre-release access that Nintendo has excluded the Retro Studios team, who developed the original 2010 Wii game, from the credits of the HD version. According to Nintendo Life, the credits only list the team from Forever Entertainment, responsible for porting and enhancing the game for the Switch, including content from the 3DS version. Instead of a full list of Retro Studios' staff, the credits merely note that the remastered game is "Based on the work of the original development staff."
Nintendo Omits Retro Studios From Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Credits
This decision aligns with Nintendo's approach to other Switch re-releases. In 2023, Zoid Kirsch, a former programmer and senior gameplay engineer at Retro Studios for the first two Metroid Prime games, expressed disappointment over the exclusion of full original credits in Metroid Prime Remastered. He felt "let down" by Nintendo's choice to omit the names of former Retro Studios employees. Other developers echoed his sentiments, calling the exclusion of original teams from remaster credits "bad practice."
The issue of crediting is crucial in the gaming industry, as credits are essential for the career development of game developers. Even in the realm of remastered titles, acknowledging the original developers is seen as a respectful nod to their hard work and dedication. Nintendo has also faced criticism for not crediting translators or imposing restrictive non-disclosure agreements that prevent translators from claiming their involvement in major series like The Legend of Zelda. As more developers and fans voice their concerns about improper crediting practices, there is growing pressure on publishers, including Nintendo, to revise their policies.
