"Donkey Kong HD Credits Omit Original Developers"

Summary

• Nintendo has excluded the individual developers from Retro Studios in the credits of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD.
• Nintendo's history of condensing credits in remastered games has faced criticism from developers in the past.

The upcoming release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD on January 16, 2025, for the Nintendo Switch has brought to light an issue regarding the game's credits. Originally developed by Retro Studios for the Wii in 2010, the remastered version omits the names of the original developers. Instead, the credits only feature the staff from Forever Entertainment, the studio responsible for porting and enhancing the game for the Switch, including content from the 3DS version. The credits screen simply states that the remastered game is "Based on the work of the original development staff."

The Nintendo Switch has become a leading platform for retro gaming, thanks to its portability and extensive library of classic titles. Nintendo has embraced this trend by remastering and remaking beloved classics, enhancing them with new content and improved graphics. Recent examples include the remake of Super Mario RPG and remasters of series like Advance Wars and Famicom Detective Club.

However, the decision to condense credits in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is consistent 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, criticized Nintendo for not including full original credits in Metroid Prime Remastered. He expressed feeling "let down" by the exclusion of developers who had moved on from Retro Studios. Other developers have echoed these sentiments, calling the practice of omitting original teams from remaster credits "bad practice."

Crediting is a significant issue in the gaming industry, crucial for the career development of game developers. Even in remastered titles, acknowledging the original developers is seen as a gesture of appreciation for their contributions. Nintendo has also 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 speak out against improper crediting practices, there is growing pressure on publishers, including Nintendo, to reconsider their approach to crediting.