"When asked what has enabled the team to transform into a studio that can develop Nintendo franchises like Metroid and Donkey Kong Country, Kelbaugh says, "It's patience, mentorship -- a lot of mentorship, a lot of help from our friends at Nintendo." 

Staff is also key. "It's investing in the right people. It takes time... You have to hire people that are motivated by making quality product, not by how many units they sell.

"There's not a book that I could say, 'Read this and you'll know how to make Nintendo games.' You learn how to do it by experience -- experience and mentorship -- That's really the only way you do it," he says.

"So it's really as simple as that, but it's not simple at all. It takes a lot of work. Ten, years, well 12 years, and we've made a lot of progress, but we don't have it down yet. We still have a lot to learn, you know. It changes."

Would love to see Retro make another DK game or something original for Nintendo.  Personally, I think DKCR is the best game they have ever made.

Even though they already made 3, I very much want to see a new Metroid Prime game.

I wonder what they got up their sleeve for Nintendo's next console. As a developer, they are yummy.

Even though they already made 3, I very much want to see a new Metroid Prime game.