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 game.
The Nintendo Switch, known for its portability and classic game library, is a leading retro gaming platform. Nintendo's remastering efforts, including titles like Super Mario RPG and Advance Wars, have revitalized classic games. Even lesser-known titles like the Famicom Detective Club games have enjoyed a resurgence.
This trend extends to the Donkey Kong Country series. Pre-release reports, such as those from Nintendo Life, indicate that Donkey Kong Country Returns HD credits only list Forever Entertainment, the porting and enhancement studio. Retro Studios' staff are absent, replaced by a credit acknowledging the "original development staff."
Nintendo's Omission of Retro Studios From Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Credits
This credit condensation mirrors Nintendo's approach to other Switch re-releases. In 2023, Zoid Kirsch, a former Retro Studios programmer (Metroid Prime 1 & 2), criticized Nintendo for excluding original Metroid Prime Remastered credits. He expressed disappointment, a sentiment echoed by other developers who deemed the practice "bad practice."
Game industry crediting is crucial for developer career building. Crediting original developers in remasters shows appreciation for their work on beloved titles. Nintendo has also faced accusations of failing to credit translators or imposing restrictive NDAs preventing them from acknowledging work on franchises like The Legend of Zelda. Growing public criticism of inadequate crediting practices may force publishers, including Nintendo, to revise their policies.
