"Donkey Kong HD Credits Omit Original Developers"

Summary

• Nintendo has excluded the individual developers from Retro Studios in the credits of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD.
• This practice of condensing credits in remastered games has faced criticism from developers previously.

The upcoming release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD has brought to light that the original developers at Retro Studios have been omitted from the remastered version's credits. Scheduled for release on January 16, 2025, this game offers a remastered take on the 2010 Wii platformer, tailored for the Nintendo Switch audience.

The Nintendo Switch has established itself as a premier platform for retro gaming, thanks to its portability and an expansive library of classic titles. Nintendo has capitalized on this trend by remastering and remaking beloved classics, enhancing them with new content and improved graphics. Notable examples include the enhanced remake of Super Mario RPG and remasters of series such as Advance Wars and the Famicom Detective Club titles.

The Donkey Kong Country series is part of this revitalization effort. As the release date for Donkey Kong Country Returns HD approaches, media outlets with early access have confirmed that Nintendo has excluded the Retro Studios team, responsible for the 2010 Wii original, from the full credits of the remastered version. According to Nintendo Life, the credits only list the staff from Forever Entertainment, who handled the porting and enhancement of the game for the Switch, including content from the 3DS version. Instead of acknowledging the original developers, the credits merely state 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 to condense the credits aligns with Nintendo's approach to other Switch-based re-releases. In 2023, Zoid Kirsch, a former programmer and senior gameplay engineer at Retro Studios for the first two Metroid Prime games, expressed his disappointment over the exclusion of full original credits in Metroid Prime Remastered on the Switch. He felt "let down" by Nintendo's choice to omit names of members who were no longer with Retro Studios during the remaster's development. Other developers echoed his sentiments, condemning the practice as "bad practice."

The issue of crediting is a significant concern in the gaming industry, as credits play a crucial role in the career development of game developers. Recognizing original developers in remastered titles is seen as a gesture of appreciation and acknowledgment of their hard work. Additionally, Nintendo has faced criticism for not crediting translators and imposing restrictive non-disclosure agreements that prevent them from disclosing 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.