By IGU 
A Flaming Hot Cheeto that looks just like Charizard has taken the Pokemon world by storm. The spicy snack’s auction price has already hit reaching $2,100, and eight days still remain. 1st & Goal Collectibles found and preserved this 3-inch treat, now known as “Cheetozard,” between 2018 and 2022.
Rare snack items have sold for jaw-dropping prices before. A Cheeto shaped like Harambe went for $99,900, and someone paid $99,997 for a McDonald’s chicken nugget that looked like an Among Us character. The Cheetozard stands out even more because it comes with its own custom Pokemon card and display case. This unique piece brings together the worlds of snack food collecting and Pokemon enthusiasm.
From Snack to Sensation
This remarkable Cheeto’s experience began at the time Georgia-based 1st and Goal Collectibles found that there was a unique piece between 2018 and 2022. The store’s team placed it in a plastic box before upgrading to a custom Pokémon card frame that enhanced its appeal as a collectible.
1st and Goal Collectibles protected the Cheetozard for five years. They almost forgot about their unique treasure as it stayed locked away in a safe. The store tried to get the snack professionally encapsulated, but one company turned down this unusual request.
In spite of that, the Cheetozard’s story changed direction when Arena Club, an online card marketplace, acquired it in November 2024. Arena Club made an innovative marketing decision by including this special piece in a mystery card pack as a surprise prize for a lucky collector.
The team’s work to preserve this 3-inch Flamin’ Hot Cheeto paid off as collectors quickly spotted its special features. They created a professional presentation by putting the Cheeto on a custom-designed Pokémon card inside a clear storage box.
The sort of thing i love about this discovery is its uncanny resemblance to one of Pokémon’s most beloved characters. Nature shaped this Cheeto to match Charizard’s distinctive silhouette, which made it an instant hit among snack food fans and Pokémon collectors alike.
This Cheetozard shows how collecting has evolved, with fans happy to chase unofficial Pokémon items that spark their interest. Similar stories have popped up in the world of character-shaped snacks. Collectors now chase after chips and other food items that look like popular characters. This trend shows how pop culture, collecting, and everyday snacks can come together in unexpected ways.
The $26,000 Price Tag Story
A Charizard-shaped Cheeto started its amazing journey when 1st & Goal Collectibles bought it on eBay for $350. The collectible store kept their unique find safe until buyers started making them lots of offers. This led them to get it professionally graded.
Arena Club saw a great opportunity after a Pikachu-shaped Cheeto sold for $26,000. The company flew down to meet 1st & Goal Collectibles and grabbed this special piece. They added it to their “Slab Pack” program where collectors could randomly get various cards—or in this case, a one-of-a-kind Charizard snack.
Bidding kicked off at $250 on February 10. The price shot past $1,000 in just days as 11 eager bidders competed. Right now, the highest bid sits at $2,100 with eight days left until March 1st.
This value jump matches what we see with other unique collectibles. Some food-shaped items have sold for mind-blowing prices:
- An Among Us character-shaped McDonald’s chicken nugget reached $99,997
- A Harambe-shaped Cheeto went for $99,900 on eBay
These prices might seem high, but a holographic 1999 first-edition ‘Shadowless’ Charizard card with a PSA 10 Gem Mint rating sold for $311,800. The Pokémon card market’s value sits at $21.40 Billion in 2024 and experts think it will reach $58.20 Billion by 2034.
Goldin confirmed to Polygon that “The Cheeto was found this way and has not been modified”. The snack comes in a custom display, mounted on a special Pokémon card and protected in a clear storage box.
Impact on Pokemon Collecting
The Cheetozard phenomenon explains a remarkable change in Pokémon collecting culture. Enthusiasts now look beyond traditional merchandise to find unconventional items. This cultural transformation lines up perfectly with Pokémania’s upcoming 30th anniversary in 2026.
Today’s collectible scene has grown way beyond the reach of standard trading cards and plush toys. Pokémon enthusiasts search for everything from vintage animation cels to limited-edition food products. Their passion shows how collecting has evolved, as fans discover unique ways to deepen their commitment to the franchise.
Food collectibles have seen remarkable market growth recently. Sales data reveals impressive numbers for Pokémon-themed items. Rare tins from Japanese Pokémon Centers and limited-edition collector pieces often become treasured collectibles after people eat their contents.
Unconventional collecting has created an amazing secondary market. South Korean collectors show incredible dedication when they hunt for Pokémon stickers. Rare specimens like Mew and Mewtwo can sell for up to $40, while complete collections bring in over $700.
Some collectors show extraordinary passion for their hobby. Kuk Il-hoon, a 32-year-old tech worker, proves this point. He documented his search for Pokémon-themed items by visiting 30 stores and walking 13,000 steps in just one weekend. His dedication shows how collecting has become a passionate quest.
The market sees strong activity in specialized items:
- Vintage cards, particularly first editions
- Limited-edition promotional merchandise
- Event-exclusive collectibles
Creative preservation and presentation can turn everyday items into collectibles. The Cheetozard serves as a perfect example. Its custom display case and specially designed card have elevated a simple snack into a coveted collector’s piece.
This trend shows how collectors value both official merchandise and unique, unofficial items that capture their favorite characters’ essence. The expanding boundaries of collecting point to a dynamic future for Pokémon memorabilia. Value now comes from uniqueness and cultural significance, not just official branding.
Few Last Words..
The Cheetozard phenomenon demonstrates how a simple snack can become a prized collectible that reaches way beyond traditional Pokémon merchandise. A collector’s passion for unique character items turned this modest $350 purchase into something extraordinary.
Bidding has reached $2,100, and this figure could rise before the auction ends. Similar character-shaped snacks have sold for impressive amounts. The Harambe Cheeto fetched $99,900, while an Among Us chicken nugget sold for $99,997.
Collectors’ culture has seen a radical alteration. Fans now value both official merchandise and unexpected items that represent their favorite characters. Pokemon’s market keeps expanding and could hit $58.20 billion by 2034.
You can track this auction’s final results and other Pokemon collecting updates at Indoor Game Universe. The Cheetozard reminds us that extraordinary collectibles can emerge from unexpected places. Each snack bag holds a wealth of possibilities for dedicated collectors.