Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Removes Original Developers From Credits

Summary

• Nintendo excluded Retro Studios' developers from the Donkey Kong Country Returns HD credits.
• Nintendo's history 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 platformer.

The Nintendo Switch, renowned for its portability and extensive classic game library, is a leading contemporary 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, indicate 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 integration, receives credit. The credits simply state the game 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 condensation aligns with Nintendo's approach to 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 credits from Metroid Prime Remastered. He expressed disappointment, and other developers echoed his concerns, labeling the omission of original teams from remaster credits as "bad practice."

Proper game crediting is crucial for developer career building. Crediting original developers in remasters shows appreciation for their work on beloved titles. Nintendo also faces accusations of insufficient translator crediting, often through restrictive NDAs preventing acknowledgment of work on franchises like The Legend of Zelda. Growing public criticism of inadequate crediting practices across the industry may force publishers, including Nintendo, to revise their policies.