Summary
- Nintendo has excluded the individual developers from Retro Studios in the credits of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD.
- Nintendo's practice of condensing credits in remastered games has faced criticism from developers previously.
The much-anticipated release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is set for January 16, 2025, bringing a remastered version of the beloved 2010 Wii platformer to Nintendo Switch users. However, a significant issue has arisen regarding the game's credits. Reports confirm that the original developers from Retro Studios have been omitted from the remastered version's full credits.
The Nintendo Switch has become 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 fans and newcomers. Recent examples include the enhanced remake of Super Mario RPG and remasters of the Advance Wars series, as well as the revival of lesser-known titles like the Famicom Detective Club series.
The Donkey Kong Country series is part of this remastering trend. As the release date for Donkey Kong Country Returns HD approaches, it has been confirmed by news outlets with pre-release access that the credits for this game do not include the staff of Retro Studios, who developed the original 2010 Wii version. According to Nintendo Life, the credits screen only acknowledges the team from Forever Entertainment, responsible for porting and enhancing the game for the Switch, including content from the 3DS version. Instead of a detailed list of the original developers, the credits simply 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 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 the names of members who had left Retro Studios during the remaster's development. Other developers echoed his sentiments, condemning the exclusion of original teams from remastered games' credits as "bad practice."
The issue of crediting is crucial in the gaming industry, as credits play a vital role in advancing the careers of game developers. Even in remastered titles, acknowledging the original developers is a significant gesture of appreciation for their dedication and effort. Additionally, Nintendo has faced criticism for not crediting translators or imposing restrictive non-disclosure agreements that prevent them from acknowledging their work on major series like The Legend of Zelda. As more developers and fans voice their concerns over improper crediting practices, pressure may mount on publishers, including Nintendo, to revise their policies.
