Hungry Snorlax - Nintendo 64 Promo (Star Holo) [No Number]

Name: Hungry Snorlax - Nintendo 64 Promo (Star Holo) [No Number]
Brand: The Collector
Availability: LimitedAvailability

Vintage Japanese Hungry Snorlax Holo Pokémon card promo in a protective top-loader showing the front art and classic blue back. - view 1

1/3

Estimated value

$150 - $350

Rarity

Scarce(6/10)

COLLECTOR'S BREAKDOWN: HUNGRY SNORLAX - NINTENDO 64 PROMO (STAR HOLO) [NO NUMBER]

A vintage Japanese Pokémon promo card featuring 'Hungry Snorlax' (Kuishinbo Kabigon). This card is a celebrated non-set release distinguished by its unique artwork by Sumiyoshi Kizuki, showing a gluttonous Snorlax with remnants of food. The holofoil pattern is the classic 'Star' or 'Cosmos' style characteristic of late 90s Japanese promos. The card utilizes the original 'Pocket Monsters' back design with the blue swirl and gold lettering, which was exclusive to the Japanese market before the international uniform back was established.

CULTURAL CARD LORE

Where This Object Echoes

Japanese FolkloreEdo Period

Snorlax echoes the 'Mujina' or 'Tanuki'—mythological creatures often depicted with large bellies and gluttonous, sleepy temperaments.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

•Promotional distribution rituals via print media (magazines/guides) which defined the early 90s Japanese 'Media Mix' strategy.

Meaning Through Time

Late 1990s

A secondary gameplay piece or bonus item for video game fans.

Modern Era

An 'Old Back' vintage asset and a nostalgic icon of the 'Golden Age' of Pokémon.

CARD HISTORY & PRINT RUNS

Released in 1998, this card was a promotional tie-in with the 'Pokémon Snap' or 'Transfer Pak' era of the Nintendo 64 in Japan. Specifically, it was included as an insert with the Nintendo 64 'Pokémon Stadium' strategy guide published by Shogakukan. Unlike standard expansion cards, this lacks a set number, marking it as a 'Unnumbered Promo'—a category highly prized by vintage Japanese collectors for its scarcity compared to mass-market unlimited sets.

COLLECTOR INTEL

This Snorlax artwork is unique in that it depicts the Pokémon with yellow circles on its feet, a design choice by Kizuki that isn't always present in standard Sugimori-style art.

The card was never printed in English with this specific holofoil and layout, making the Japanese original the definitive version for 'Hungry Snorlax' collectors.

HOW SCARCE IS IT?

Scarce80-90%

CommonLegendary

Genuinely harder to find. Perhaps only dozens come to market annually. Collectors actively watch for these pieces.

Typical Characteristics

Dozens per year at market
Documented provenance valued
Active collector pursuit

Confidence Factors

Correct vintage font kerning
Period-accurate holofoil depth
Authentic 'Pocket Monsters' back color saturation

How does authenticity detection work?

GRADING EXPERT'S TAKE

Trading Card Market Analyst

Card Specialist

The card exhibits all technical traits of the 1998 Shogakukan promo. High-resolution images allow for a confident assessment of the print quality and centering.

KEY EVIDENCE

1Star/Cosmos holofoil pattern is correct for 1998 Japanese promos.
2Artist credit for Sumiyoshi Kizuki is correctly placed.
3Lack of set number (No.) confirms unnumbered promo status.
4Back design color gradient matches authentic Media Factory printing.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

→Check for factory print lines on the holographic surface under a bright LED.
→Examine the bottom right corner of the reverse side for tiny 'nicks' common in top-loaders.
→Consider professional grading (PSA/ARS) to lock in the 'Mint' premium.

CONDITION & GRADE

PSA 8-9

Grading breakdown

Top-tier centering for a vintage promo. Surface appears clean without visible scratches, though a 'Mint' designation (PSA 10) would require microscopic inspection for print lines common in this era.

Condition

Visually appears to be in exceptional condition with strong centering on the front. No visible whitening on the rear edges or silvering on the front borders in provided images.

Surface

Glossy vintage Japanese cardstock with a vibrant 'Star' holofoil pattern that reacts with circular light reflections.

Weight & feel

Slightly thinner and more flexible than modern international cardstock, typical of 1990s Media Factory production.

TRADING CARD MARKET VALUE

$150 - $350

Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Who buys this

High-end vintage Pokémon collectors and those specializing in 'Unnumbered Promos' or specific species (Snorlax) collections.

What increases value

•Centering quality (extremely strong on this example)
•Surface integrity (lack of scratches on the holofoil)
•High demand for 'Old Back' Japanese holos

What lowers value

•Micro-scratches on the holo surface hidden by camera flash
•Potential whitening of the blue border on the back not visible at this angle

What makes top-tier examples

•Perfect centering (50/50 ratio)
•Absence of 'silvering' on the yellow front borders
•Zero print lines across the holofoil

Grade & condition

Centering, surface scratches, and edge whitening on the dark blue reverse side.

Rarity & demand

ScarceHigh demandSells quickly

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For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

YOUR INPUT VS. SCANNER FINDINGS

How your provided context compares with Curiosa.com scanner findings.

What Aligned

User stated 'Original/Authentic' - visual markers (font, holo pattern, card back) confirm a genuine 1998 Japanese promo.
User stated 'Condition: Mint' - the card displays very sharp corners and excellent centering conducive to a high-grade assessment.