Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, the just-launched port of the 2010 Wii game, doesn’t include individual members of the original Retro Studios development team in the credits, as reported by GameSpot. Since the discovery, however, Nintendo has commented on the omission, giving a statement to Eurogamer.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a remaster of a game that was on the Wii and then on the Nintendo 3DS. I played both versions, and also this newest version. Donkey Kong's a great game, but Nintendo should reconsider how it prices classics like this in the future as we approach Year 9 of the Switch Family's lifecycle.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD's perceived snub of the development team at Retro Studios is addressed in a statement by Nintendo.

Nintendo has issued a short statement in response to the backlash following the omission of Retro Studios' staff from the credits of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD. In speaking with Eurogamer, Nintendo said that it believes in "giving proper credit for anyone involved in making or contributing to a game's creation".

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD's in-game credits do not have the names of the original developers who worked on the game. Rather, a broad "based on the work" disclaimer is used. In a statement, Nintendo said it "values" the work that individuals contribute in the development process,

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a fairly straightforward port that'll fill enough time on the road to the Switch 2.

Country Returns breathed life back into the franchise and was considered the spiritual successor of the original Donkey Kong: Country trilogy from the Super Nintendo era. From the 2D platforming to its cartoon style, Retro Studios stayed true to the essence of the classic games while introducing new elements.

To celebrate the release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, Nintendo's latest reward is themed sticky notes. Yes, if you need to remind yourself about anything in 2025, these notes are the perfect way to "stay on track".

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is the definitive version of a great platformer that finally brings the best of the Wii and 3DS versions into one. But the lack of new stuff makes it a hard sell as a full-priced Nintendo Switch game.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD doesn't individually credit any of the original team members who worked on the game.