Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Removes Original Developers From Credits

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, renowned for its portability and classic game library, is a leading retro gaming platform. Nintendo's remastering and remaking efforts, enhancing classics with new content and visuals, have revitalized titles like Super Mario RPG and Advance Wars. Even lesser-known games, such as the Famicom Detective Club series, have enjoyed a resurgence on the platform.

This trend extends to the Donkey Kong Country series. Pre-release reports indicate that Nintendo has excluded Retro Studios' staff from Donkey Kong Country Returns HD credits. As noted by Nintendo Life, only Forever Entertainment, the porting and enhancement studio, receives credit. Retro Studios' contribution is acknowledged only with a statement indicating the remaster is "Based on the work of the original development staff."

Nintendo's Omission of Retro Studios from Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Credits

This credit omission aligns with Nintendo's handling of 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 exclusion of original teams from remaster credits "bad practice."

Game industry crediting practices are under scrutiny due to their career-building significance for developers. Crediting original developers in remasters shows appreciation for their work on beloved titles. Nintendo also faces accusations of inadequate translator crediting, sometimes employing restrictive NDAs preventing acknowledgment of their work on franchises like The Legend of Zelda. Growing public pressure from developers and fans regarding crediting may force publishers, including Nintendo, to revise their practices.