Donkey Kong Returns HD: Original Developers Omitted from Credits

Summary

• Nintendo excluded Retro Studios' developers from the Donkey Kong Country Returns HD credits.
• Nintendo's practice of shortened credits in remastered games has faced past developer criticism.

The upcoming release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD confirms the omission of Retro Studios' original development team from the remastered game's credits. Launching January 16, 2025, this Nintendo Switch title remasters the 2010 Wii game.

The Nintendo Switch, known for its portability and extensive classic game library, is a leading retro gaming platform. Nintendo's remastering and remaking of classic titles, enhancing them with new content and visuals, is a significant trend. Recent examples include the Super Mario RPG remake and remasters of Advance Wars and the Famicom Detective Club games.

This trend extends to the Donkey Kong Country series. Pre-release reports, such as those from Nintendo Life, reveal that Nintendo excluded Retro Studios' staff from Donkey Kong Country Returns HD's credits. Only Forever Entertainment, responsible for the Switch port and enhancements, including 3DS content, receives credit. The credits simply state the remaster is "Based on the work of the original development staff."

Nintendo's Omission of Retro Studios from Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Credits

This credit omission aligns with Nintendo's handling of other Switch re-releases. In 2023, Zoid Kirsch, a former Retro Studios programmer and senior gameplay engineer on the first two Metroid Prime games, criticized Nintendo for excluding original Metroid Prime Remastered credits. He expressed disappointment, and other developers echoed his concerns, labeling the exclusion of original teams from remaster credits as "bad practice."

Proper crediting is crucial in the game industry, impacting developer careers. Crediting original developers in remasters shows appreciation for their work on beloved titles. Nintendo has also faced accusations of failing to credit translators or imposing restrictive NDAs preventing them from acknowledging their work on franchises like The Legend of Zelda. Growing public criticism of inadequate crediting practices may eventually force publishers, including Nintendo, to revise their policies.