Donkey Kong HD Credits Omit Original Developers

Summary

• Nintendo excluded the individual developers from Retro Studios from the Donkey Kong Country Returns HD credits.
• Nintendo's history of condensing credits in remastered games has been criticized by developers in the past.

The upcoming release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD on January 16, 2025, marks a significant moment for Nintendo Switch owners. This remastered version of the acclaimed 2010 Wii platformer, developed by Retro Studios, promises to bring enhanced graphics and additional content to fans and new players alike. However, it has come to light that the original developers from Retro Studios have been omitted from the full credits of this remastered edition.

The Nintendo Switch has emerged as a powerhouse for retro gaming, largely due to its portability and an extensive library of classic titles. Nintendo has capitalized on this by remastering and remaking beloved classics, enhancing them with new content and improved visuals. Notable examples 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 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 only acknowledge the staff of Forever Entertainment, the developer responsible for porting and enhancing the original game and incorporating content from the 3DS version for the Switch. Instead of listing the full credits for Retro Studios, the credits screen simply states 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 in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD aligns with Nintendo's previous practices with 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, publicly criticized Nintendo for omitting the full original credits from Metroid Prime Remastered on the Switch. Kirsch expressed feeling "let down" by the exclusion of names of members no longer with Retro Studios during the remaster's development. Other developers echoed his sentiments, labeling the exclusion of original teams from the credits of remasters and remakes as "bad practice."

Crediting is a crucial issue in the game industry, as it plays a significant role in the career development of game developers. Proper crediting in remastered titles is also seen as a gesture of appreciation, recognizing the hard work and dedication of the original teams. Additionally, Nintendo has faced criticism for not crediting translators or imposing restrictive non-disclosure agreements that prevent translators and translation partners from acknowledging their work on major series like The Legend of Zelda. As more developers and fans voice their concerns over improper crediting practices, there is growing pressure on publishers, including Nintendo, to reconsider their approaches to crediting.