Donkey Kong HD Omits Original Devs From Credits

Summary

• Nintendo has 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 faced criticism from developers.

The upcoming release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD on January 16, 2025, brings a remastered version of the 2010 Wii classic to the Nintendo Switch. This remaster, tailored for the Switch's portability and enhanced with new content, joins a growing list of Nintendo's beloved classics being revitalized for modern audiences. Titles like the enhanced remake of Super Mario RPG and remasters of series such as Advance Wars and Famicom Detective Club have similarly been refreshed for the Switch, showcasing Nintendo's commitment to its extensive library of retro games.

However, the excitement surrounding Donkey Kong Country Returns HD has been tempered by a notable issue: the exclusion of the original developers from Retro Studios in the game's credits. Reports from Nintendo Life, based on pre-release access, confirm that the credits screen only lists the staff from Forever Entertainment, the team responsible for porting and enhancing the game for the Switch. Instead of acknowledging the individual contributors from Retro Studios, the credits simply state that the game is "Based on the work of the original development staff."

Nintendo Omits Retro Studios From Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Credits

This decision reflects a broader pattern in Nintendo's approach to crediting in remastered games. 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 disappointment over the exclusion of team members who had left Retro Studios, a sentiment echoed by other developers who condemned such practices as "bad practice."

The issue of crediting is crucial in the gaming industry, as it not only helps build the careers of game developers but also serves as a respectful nod to the hard work and dedication of the original teams. This extends to remastered titles, where acknowledging the original developers is seen as a gesture of appreciation. Additionally, Nintendo has faced accusations of not crediting translators and imposing restrictive non-disclosure agreements on translation partners, further complicating the issue.

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 in remastered and remade games.