Nintendo Faces Criticism for Excluding Original Developers in Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Credits

The remaster acknowledges Retro Studios' work only briefly, continuing a pattern seen in previous releases.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, releasing on January 16, 2025, omits Retro Studios' original developers from its credits.
The remaster, developed by Forever Entertainment, includes a single acknowledgment of the original team, stating it is 'based on the work of the original development staff.'
This follows a similar controversy in 2023 when Metroid Prime Remastered excluded Retro Studios from its credits, sparking criticism from former developers.
The lack of regulations mandating proper crediting in video games leaves developers dependent on companies' discretion for recognition.
Nintendo has not responded to inquiries about the decision, continuing its history of limited transparency regarding development teams.