Summary
- Nintendo has omitted 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 upcoming release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD has brought to light a concerning issue: the original developers at Retro Studios have been left out of the remastered version's credits. Scheduled to launch on January 16, 2025, this remastered edition brings the 2010 Wii platformer to the Nintendo Switch audience with enhanced graphics and gameplay.
The Nintendo Switch has solidified its position as a premier platform for retro gaming, thanks to its portability and an extensive catalog of classic games. Nintendo has capitalized on this trend by remastering and remaking beloved classics, often adding new content and improved visuals to captivate both longtime fans and new players. Examples include the revamped Super Mario RPG, remasters of the Advance Wars series, and even lesser-known narrative titles like the Famicom Detective Club series, all of which have found new life on the Switch.
Among these remastered offerings is the Donkey Kong Country series. With Donkey Kong Country Returns HD on the horizon, pre-release access has revealed a troubling detail: Nintendo has excluded the Retro Studios team, who developed the original 2010 Wii game, from the full credits of the HD version. According to Nintendo Life, the credits screen only lists the staff from Forever Entertainment, responsible for porting and enhancing the game for the Switch, including content from the 3DS version. Instead of acknowledging the full Retro Studios team, 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
Nintendo's decision to condense the credits in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD mirrors its approach with 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 on the Switch. Kirsch expressed feeling "let down" by Nintendo's choice to exclude the names of former Retro Studios members. Other developers echoed his sentiments, labeling the practice of omitting original teams from remaster credits as "bad practice."
The issue of crediting is a significant concern within the gaming industry, as credits play a crucial role in the career development of game developers. Even in the realm of remastered titles, acknowledging the original developers is seen as a respectful nod to the teams who dedicated years to creating these cherished games. Nintendo has also faced accusations of not crediting translators or imposing restrictive non-disclosure agreements on them, preventing acknowledgment of their work on major series like The Legend of Zelda. As more developers and fans voice their concerns about improper crediting practices, the pressure is mounting on publishers, including Nintendo, to reconsider their approach to crediting.
