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 has sparked controversy due to the omission of the original developers from Retro Studios in the game's credits. Scheduled for release on January 16, 2025, this remastered version of the 2010 Wii classic is set to delight Nintendo Switch users with enhanced graphics and gameplay.
The Nintendo Switch has become a leading platform for retro gaming, thanks to its portability and the extensive library of classic titles available. Nintendo has embraced the trend of remastering beloved classics, bringing enhanced versions of games like Super Mario RPG, Advance Wars, and Famicom Detective Club to new audiences. The Donkey Kong Country series is another gem in Nintendo's remastering efforts.
However, the excitement surrounding Donkey Kong Country Returns HD has been tempered by reports from outlets like Nintendo Life, which confirmed that the credits of the remastered game only acknowledge the staff at Forever Entertainment, the studio responsible for porting and enhancing the game for the Switch. The credits simply state that the remastered game is "Based on the work of the original development staff," without listing the individual contributors from Retro Studios.
Nintendo Omits Retro Studios From Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Credits
This practice of condensing credits aligns with Nintendo's approach to 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, expressed his disappointment over the exclusion of full original credits in Metroid Prime Remastered. He felt "let down" by Nintendo's decision to omit the names of former Retro Studios members. Other developers echoed his sentiments, calling the exclusion of original teams from remasters and remakes "bad practice."
The issue of crediting is a significant concern in the gaming industry, as credits play a crucial role in the career development of game developers. Recognizing the original developers in remastered titles is not only a professional courtesy but also a way to honor the hard work and dedication that went into creating these beloved games. Additionally, Nintendo has faced criticism for not crediting translators and imposing restrictive non-disclosure agreements on translation partners, preventing them from acknowledging their work on major series like The Legend of Zelda.
As more developers and fans voice their concerns about improper crediting practices, there is growing pressure on publishers, including Nintendo, to reconsider their approach to crediting in the future.
