The creators of the original Metroid Prime, released in 2002 for the GameCube, voice disappointment over being left out of the credits of the 2023 remastered version of the game.
According to developers who worked on the original 2002 GameCube version of Metroid Prime, the new Metroid Prime Remastered fails to mention the game’s original creators by name, instead opting for a more general message of, “Based on the work of Metroid Prime (Original Nintendo GameCube and Wii Versions) Development Staff.” (h/t Axios)
Originally developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo, the original Metroid Prime sold more than 2.8 million total copies, was highly acclaimed, and won a BAFTA Games Award in 2004.
The lack of accreditation to the original work raises a good philosophical question of what should happen when a creation — and in the case of Metroid Prime, an iconic piece of media, when it has been remastered?
That’s the very question that a Senior Engineer that worked on the original Metroid Prime, Zach Kirsch, had as well. Kirsch lamented over the final credits and said this on Twitter:
“While many studios did amazing work on the remaster, I’m let down Metroid Prime’s Remaster does not include the full original game credits. I worked with so many amazing people on the game and everyone’s name should be included in the remaster, not just a single card like this.”
The new Metroid Prime Remastered (as is the case with many Nintendo remasters) is a collaborative effort from a variety of developers, including Iron Galaxy Studio, Airship Images Limited, Atomhawk Design, CGBot, Gamesim Inc, Liquid Development, Original Force LTD, Shanghai Mineloader Digital Technology, and Zombot Studio, according to GameRant. It’s important to note that this staff should also be recognized for their hard work, as remastering a game is a tough effort that requires skill, talent, and creativity.
That being said, not crediting the original visionaries who made the storyboards and concept art come to life feels wrong. After all, the original crew that worked on a movie production would always be included in the credits of any “remastered” versions of the original film — so why would original game creators be left out?
This is a situation and case that comes down to nuance. The difference between a “remake” and a “remaster,” and the perception that games are not like other older entertainment mediums like movies.
In our opinion, the original creators, developers, and staff should always be credited for a remaster. Their original efforts, vision, and work made the games what they are today — not a publisher or games company. As a small piece of what is otherwise an amazing game, the end credits screen, it’s the least that companies can do to recognize the creators and the hard work they’ve put into their art.
What is your take on the original creators of Metroid Prime being left out of the end credits of the new Remastered version? Sound off in the comments section below.
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