Summary
- Nintendo has omitted the individual developers from Retro Studios in the credits of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD.
- This practice aligns with Nintendo's past behavior of condensing credits in remastered games, which has drawn 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 owners. However, it has come to light that the original developers from Retro Studios have been left out of the remastered version's full credits.
The Nintendo Switch stands out as a premier platform for retro gaming, thanks to its portability and the extensive catalog of classic titles. Nintendo has embraced the trend of remastering and remaking their iconic games, enhancing them with new content and improved graphics to attract both long-time fans and new players. Notable recent releases include the enhanced remake of Super Mario RPG and remasters of series like Advance Wars and Famicom Detective Club.
The Donkey Kong Country series is part of this revitalization effort. As the release date for Donkey Kong Country Returns HD approaches, it has been confirmed by outlets like Nintendo Life that the credits in this remastered version only list the staff of Forever Entertainment, the company responsible for porting and enhancing the game for the Switch. The credits simply state that the game is "Based on the work of the original development staff," without mentioning Retro Studios' team by name.
Nintendo Omits Retro Studios From Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Credits
This move by Nintendo to condense credits in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is consistent with their 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, publicly criticized Nintendo for not including the full original credits in Metroid Prime Remastered. He expressed feeling "let down" by the omission of names of developers who had moved on from Retro Studios. Other developers have echoed this sentiment, labeling the practice as "bad practice."
The issue of crediting is crucial in the gaming industry, as it plays a significant role in the career development of game developers. Proper crediting in remastered titles not only acknowledges the original team's hard work but also serves as a gesture of appreciation. Nintendo has faced further criticism for not crediting translators or imposing restrictive non-disclosure agreements that prevent them from acknowledging their contributions to major series like The Legend of Zelda. As more developers and fans voice their concerns over improper crediting practices, it may prompt publishers, including Nintendo, to reconsider their policies.
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