The $130,000 Photo: Why Original Pokémon Snap Cards Are The Rarest TCG Collectibles
The legacy of the original Pokémon Snap game extends far beyond the Nintendo 64 console. As of late
The unique nature of these cards—featuring actual in-game photographs taken by players—makes them a fascinating intersection of video game history and TCG rarity. Unlike standard TCG releases, the original Snap Cards were never mass-produced, existing only as prizes for a Japanese photo contest, a fact that has propelled their value into the stratosphere for serious collectors and investors worldwide. Understanding their unique origin is key to grasping their current, astronomical market price.
The Billion-Dollar History of Pokémon Snap Cards: A Timeline
The story of the *Pokémon Snap* cards is a unique chapter in Pokémon TCG history, rooted in a promotional campaign that turned a video game contest into a collecting legend. These cards are not standard TCG releases but rather "Trophy Cards" or "Prize Cards" with unparalleled scarcity.
- 1999 (Nintendo 64 Launch): The original Pokémon Snap game is released in Japan for the Nintendo 64. To promote the game, Nintendo, in collaboration with Shogakukan's CoroCoro Magazine and TV Tokyo's 64 Mario Stadium, launched the "Best Photo Contest."
- The Contest Rules: Players would print their best in-game photos of Pokémon via a special feature at Japanese convenience stores (like Lawson). These photos were then submitted to the contest.
- The Prize: The winners of the contest did not receive cash or merchandise. Instead, their winning photographs were printed directly onto official, playable Pokémon TCG cards.
- Extreme Rarity Established: The contest had multiple rounds, but the total number of unique cards created is believed to be only 10 variations. For each winning photograph (e.g., a specific Magikarp photo, a specific Chansey photo), only an extremely limited number of copies were printed—as few as 15 to 20 copies per card.
- Modern Valuation (2020s): Due to their scarcity and unique origin, these cards have become some of the most sought-after TCG collectibles, frequently appearing in auction headlines with six-figure sale prices.
- 2021 (New Game Release): New Pokémon Snap is released for the Nintendo Switch, sparking renewed interest and speculation about new TCG tie-ins, which eventually led to a belated promo card release.
The 10 Ultra-Rare 1999 Snap Contest Cards and Their Value
The original *Pokémon Snap* contest produced approximately 10 different cards, each representing a winning photograph. The value of these cards is not just in the Pokémon depicted, but in the specific photograph, the condition (grading), and the card's history. The low print run—estimated at 15 to 20 copies per card—is the primary driver of their astronomical price.
The Most Expensive: Snap Magikarp
The Snap Magikarp card is perhaps the most famous and valuable of the set. It features a stunning, high-quality photograph of a Magikarp leaping out of the water, a classic moment from the game. One copy of this card, graded highly, made international headlines by selling for over $130,000. Only about 20 copies of this specific card are known to exist, solidifying its status as a TCG holy grail.
The Six-Figure Snap Chansey
Another legendary entry is the Snap Chansey card. This card features a perfectly-timed photo of the pink Pokémon. A copy of the Chansey card was sold for $63,000 in December 2022, demonstrating that the high-value trend is consistent across the entire Snap set. The card's rarity is identical to its peers, with only 15-20 copies distributed to the original winner, Kaori Someya.
Other Legendary Snap Cards
The remaining cards in the set share the same extreme rarity and often command five- to six-figure prices when they appear at auction. These cards are highly prized by collectors for their unique artwork that captures a moment in time from the Nintendo 64 game.
- Snap Pikachu: Depicting the franchise's mascot, this card is always in high demand.
- Snap Gyarados: Another highly coveted card stemming from the unique 1999 collaboration.
- Snap Bulbasaur: One of the original five winners from the 64 Mario Stadium contest.
- Snap Squirtle: Also a winner from the 64 Mario Stadium contest, with only 15 copies printed.
- Snap Charmander: A winner whose virtual photographer, Tsukasa Hosono, received only 15 copies of the card.
The New Pokémon Snap Promos: Are 2024 Cards Worth Collecting?
The release of New Pokémon Snap for the Nintendo Switch in 2021 brought a wave of excitement and speculation: would The Pokémon Company International (TPCI) honor the tradition with new TCG tie-ins? While there was no immediate contest mirroring the 1999 event, new promotional cards have surfaced, providing a modern, more accessible connection to the game.
The Belated 2024 Promo Card
The most recent development for collectors is the appearance of a specific Japanese promo card, often referred to as the "three years late" promo, which is tied to the New Pokémon Snap release. This card is part of the Japanese S-P promotional series, specifically card number 212/S-P. While not as rare as the 1999 cards, its connection to the new game and its limited distribution make it a highly desirable piece for modern TCG enthusiasts and LSI collectors.
Unlike the original contest cards which featured user-submitted photos, these newer promos typically feature official artwork or screenshots from the 2021 game. They serve as a tribute to the game's unique concept of photographing Pokémon in their natural habitats. These promos are significantly more attainable than their vintage counterparts, offering fans a chance to own a piece of *Snap* TCG history without needing a six-figure budget.
The Enduring Appeal of Photo Cards
The collecting community's fascination with the *Pokémon Snap* cards—both the vintage ultra-rares and the modern promos—highlights a key topical authority in the TCG world: the value of unique art and scarcity. The original cards represent a true photographic moment, a screenshot of a digital world, which is a stark contrast to the traditional, hand-drawn art of most Pokémon cards. This unique artistic medium, combined with their near-mythical print run, ensures their value remains stable and high.
For collectors, the *Snap* cards represent a perfect storm of nostalgia, extreme scarcity, and a compelling backstory. They are a tangible link between the early days of the Nintendo 64, the rise of the Pokémon TCG, and the modern collecting boom. Whether you're hunting for a six-figure Magikarp or just adding a new 2024 promo to your collection, the *Pokémon Snap* cards remain one of the most talked-about and valuable subsets in the entire hobby.
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