Wave Race 64 originally had boats, Donkey Kong’s tie and ground pound came from Miyamoto
This month’s issue of RetroGamer has an interview with a number of former Rare employees. One section has some staffers reflecting on the studio’s relationship with Nintendo, which was a two-way street.
Chris Seavor told the magazine that Rare came up with jet skis in Wave Race 64 while Shigeru Miyamoto suggested ties in Donkey Kong Country:
“Bottom line, everybody won: Wave Race 64 was originally with boats until Tim suggested Jet Skis and in Donkey Kong Country he didn’t have a tie until Miyamoto added one.”
Another ex-Rare staffer, Chris Sutherland, also noted that Miyamoto’s input was crucial when it came to another element of Donkey Kong Country:
“The ground slap that Donkey Kong performed in the DKC series originated as a suggestion from Miyamoto.”
