Keshi Kong: Preserving Donkey Kong Country’s Rare Bandai Figures with 3D Scanning

Donkey Kong Country, the critically acclaimed platformer developed by Rare and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, recently marked its 30th anniversary—a major milestone for one of Nintendo’s most iconic franchises.

With its innovative pre-rendered 3D graphics and enduring characters like Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, and Cranky Kong, Donkey Kong Country has left an indelible mark on gaming history.

As part of this celebration, preservationist and 3D scanning expert Mr Talida, also known as Keshi Corner, has undertaken a unique project: digitally archiving Bandai’s elusive Donkey Kong Country Keshi figures, first released in Japan in 1995. Keshi figures are small, unpainted rubber figurines that gained popularity in gachapon machines across Japan during the ‘80s and ‘90s.

These collectible items, often themed around popular video games and anime, became treasured keepsakes for fans.

Bandai’s Donkey Kong Country collection, produced to coincide with the game’s original success, included 15 figurines, featuring core characters such as Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, and Cranky, as well as beloved animal companions like Chomps, Winky the Frog, and Expresso.

Today, these figures are considered highly sought-after by collectors and Nintendo enthusiasts, with complete sets rarely surfacing on the secondary market. Recognizing the importance of digital preservation, Mr Talida meticulously 3D scanned each Bandai Keshi figure, ensuring accurate digital replicas remain accessible to future generations.

These scans, now available on the Internet Archive, allow enthusiasts, historians, and collectors to view or 3D print the figures from anywhere in the world.

Expanding on this preservation effort, Mr Talida also released a new Keshi Corner animation, bringing the spirit of Donkey Kong Country to life by recreating the original game’s opening sequence using the newly scanned figurines. In a statement highlighting the significance of this archival initiative, Mr Talida emphasized that making digital models of these rare Nintendo collectibles available online not only safeguards their cultural value but also encourages greater appreciation of gaming history.

This approach aligns with Mr Talida’s ongoing dedication to preserving vintage Nintendo memorabilia; previous projects include the digitization of classic Zelda and Mario Keshi figures, as well as a selection from Dragon Quest III. Nintendo’s focus on innovation and legacy has always extended beyond game design to include the vibrant ecosystem of toys and collectibles that accompany its franchises.

The ongoing efforts of preservationists like Mr Talida and the accessibility of resources such as the Internet Archive play a pivotal role in protecting these artifacts for dedicated fans and future researchers alike.

As Donkey Kong Country celebrates three decades of influence, initiatives like Keshi Corner’s scanning project ensure these pieces of Nintendo history can be experienced and appreciated well into the future. For those interested in exploring the collection, the Donkey Kong Country Keshi figure scans, along with related Zelda, Mario, and Dragon Quest III models, are readily available on the Keshi Corner Internet Archives page.

Donkey Kong Donkey Kong Country Nintendo Rare Mr Talida Bandai Internet Archive