Difference between revisions of "Kid Chameleon"

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Revision as of 05:34, 23 December 2017

n/a

Kidchameleon title.png

Kid Chameleon
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Virtual Console, Steam, iOS, Android
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Sound driver: GEMS
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥6,8006,800 G-4070
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$59.9559.95[3] 1010
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		1010
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
CA
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Sega Mega Drive
KR 		GM8036JG
Wii Virtual Console
JP ▼ 		600pts600
Wii Virtual Console
US ▼ 		800pts800
Wii Virtual Console
EU ▼ 		800pts800
Google Android OS
US ▼ 		FREEfree
Google Android OS
EU ▼ 		FREEfree
iOS
US ▼ 		FREEfree
iOS
EU ▼ 		FREEfree
CERO
Missing Parameter!

Kid Chameleon, called Chameleon Kid (カメレオンキッド) in Japan, is a platform game released for the Sega Mega Drive in 1992. The premise of the game is that the main character, "Kid Chameleon", can use masks to change into different characters to use different abilities.

Story

A new virtual reality arcade game arrived in town and every kid played it. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until kids began to disappear. The game's boss, Heady Metal, had freed himself from his scripted AI and was using his new freedom to kidnap every kid who could not beat the game, which was all of them—until now! Kid Chameleon enters the game and must defeat every level, every boss and Heady Metal himself if he wants to save the others.

Gameplay

The player, as Kid Chameleon, progresses through a series of levels. Most levels contain a flag, which is the primary goal of each level, from which the player progresses to the next level. However, a number of telepads throughout the game can warp the player not only to different places in the same level, but also to different levels, and sometimes to an entirely different path through the game. At the end of the game, Kid fights and defeats the final boss, Heady Metal. Kid Chameleon contains nearly a hundred levels, of which only about half are on the "main path" (traversing levels only by flags), and also counts the two-dozen smaller unnamed levels, simply called "Elsewhere". Despite the game's considerable length, there was no password system or other method of saving the game. However, both Sega Genesis Collection and the Virtual Console service allow players to save their progress mid-game.

As Kid Chameleon moves through the game's levels, he gains access to masks that transform him into different characters. Each character has different special abilities and varying amounts of hit points. The sheer amount of variety in gameplay due to the various characters is part of what gave Kid Chameleon such an addictive style; few levels repeated the same structure and they usually had specific strategies and characters to be beaten. In addition to the offensive abilities of each form, the Kid could also defeat enemies by jumping on them, although he may take damage from some enemies by doing so.

Default controls: B jumps. Holding A while moving runs. C uses a weapon provided by some transformations. Holding Down while moving crawls. A+ START  uses diamond power.

Characters

Kc kid.png Kid Chameleon
If Kid runs out of hit points while wearing any other mask, he reverts to this form. If Kid runs out of hit points in this form, he dies. (He will die in any form if he is crushed, falls off screen or if time runs out.) In this form he can grab onto ledges to pull himself up.
Kc ironknight.png Iron Knight
The Iron Knight is the most durable character, able to take more hits than any other character. He also has the ability to scale vertical walls. He is heavy enough to break through some floors.
Kc redstealth.png Red Stealth
A Samurai who can defeat enemies and break through some floors with his sword. He is able to jump higher than any of the other characters.
Berzerker
This character can charge through walls or foes.
Kc maniaxe.png Maniaxe
Modeled after Jason Voorhees, Maniaxe throws axes.
Juggernaut
A wide tank that shoots skulls.
MicroMax
A fly able to stick to walls and is half the size of the other characters, able to fit in small places.
EyeClops
Can temporarily reveal hidden blocks and fire a harmful beam for a low diamond cost.
SkyCutter
A hoverboarder able to ride on the ceiling at a consistent pace.
Cyclone
A superhero who can fly by spinning like a tornado.

Diamond powers

The collectable (a known platform game staple) in Kid Chameleon is the diamond. These differ in color depending on the stage in which they're found, but function the same as currency. Kid can use powers at a cost of 20 or 50 diamonds (with the exception of Juggernaut and Eyeclops, having attacks costing 5 and 2 diamonds respectively), and they are activated by holding the run button (by default A) and pressing Start.

Blocks

Kid Chameleon features 11 types of 'block' which adorn the levels. They are as follows:

  • Prize Blocks offer rewards when hit, and leave Rock Blocks in their place.
  • Rock Blocks are the most commonly-found block, and are destructible.
  • Iron Blocks are indestructible, but Berzerker can push them.
  • Rubber Blocks are indestructible and immovable. They function as 'bouncers' in this game, the height of the ascent depending on the height from which Kid landed on them. They also repel movement from other directions.
  • Ice Blocks make maneuverability hard and when broken, shoot ice in the opposite direction from which they were broken (For example, Ice Blocks broken from beneath shoot icicles upward).
  • Vanishing Blocks disappear the moment they were touched.
  • Cannon Blocks are Vanishing Blocks which shoot one or more spikes in the directions marked on them. These spikes can destroy any destructible block, and are often used in conjunction with other Cannon Blocks to form a chain reaction, often clearing paths for the player.
  • Shifting Blocks move upward when hit.
  • Drill Blocks are Iron Blocks, with additional harmful drills which come out of one or more sides when Kid is in close proximity.
  • Mushroom Blocks disappear when hit from beneath, and spawn as many as three additional mushroom blocks above them.
  • Ghost Blocks phase in and out of existence.

All blocks, with the exception of the drills that come out from the Drill Blocks, act as platforms, and can be stood upon.

Drill wall

There are three levels throughout the game (starting with Hills of the Warrior 1) that feature a giant, metal wall covered in drills and augers that sweeps across the screen at a steady pace. These levels require the player to navigate and exit the map as quickly as possible, as coming in contact with the wall instantly kills Kid. These levels have a unique music theme, which becomes useful in identifying the danger early on. The drill wall in Hills of the Warrior 1 moves slower than in other levels.

It is possible to avoid two of these levels entirely, depending on the 'route' taken through the level progression; the first one being unavoidable unless the player uses what is known as 100k points trip to skip almost half of the game.

2 players mode

The game doesn't have simultaneous multiplayer. "Start Two" instead launches two separate game sessions, with each player taking turns when one player either dies or beats a level. You can set in options if this mode will require each player to use their own controller or if Player 1 controller will be shared.

History

Release

Kid Chameleon was at one point set to be the first Sega game to be released in all major territories simultaneously[7].

Legacy

The game is also a part of Sega Mega Drive Collection for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable. It was released for the Nintendo Wii's Virtual Console in Japan on 22 May 2007, North America on 28 May 2007 and Europe on 1 June 2007. It was also released in addition to a series of other Sega games, including Shining Force and Comix Zone, in Sega Smash Pack 2.

Comic adaptation

In August 1993, Kid Chameleon gained his own comic strip in the new Fleetway publication Sonic the Comic. The first strip, simply named "Kid Chameleon", ran from issue #7 to issue #12 and featured Casey entering the Wildside to rescue his friend Suzy, with a disembodied presence known as The Voice giving him advice and encouragement. Through each issue he changed into one of the different personas- Red Stealth, Eyeclops, Micromax, Berzerker and finally Iron Knight, before his Chameleon powers ran out and he had to take down a powerful enemy as his normal self. While he & Suzy escaped Wildside, the story ended with Casey discovering local school bully Brad was also trapped in Wildside.

In issues #54-#59 in story arc "Back to Unreality!" he returned again to rescue Brad, this time turning into Skycutter, Berzerker, Maniaxe and Cyclone. Here he discovered that The Voice had a more sinister agenda and was keeping children from all over the world prisoner in the Islecatraz gulag, using Brad as warden. Casey, as Cyclone, destroyed Islecatraz and freed everyone from Wildside, but when it became clear only one more person could escape, Brad sacrificed himself as penance for his sins so Casey could escape. The ending was ambiguous, with a showdown being threatened between Casey and The Voice, and fueled speculation that a third strip was imminent. Fleetway did not produce any more, however, and the story, like almost every non-Sonic strip, remains unresolved.

Trivia

One of Kid Chameleon's most famous cheat codes is actually the result of miscommunication between programmers. During development, programmers Steve Woita and BichCau Le added a cheat code that would allow players to go straight to the credits screen. Designer Hoyt Ng was unaware of this cheat when he added another level, changing the level counter and making the code activate Plethora's stage instead of the end credits.

Versions

The game is known to have two different ROMS: one for US/EU and one for JP:

  • US/EU one works on all systems.
  • JP one appears to be region locked not to run on US system, showing only black screen. It appears to work fine on EU system however. The title screen had words swapped to form the new Chameleon Kid title. The color of purple stripes at title screen when Kid Chameleon transforms into Juggernaut was changed to pink color.
  • None of the two versions was optimized for PAL format. Both gameplay speed and music play slower than intended.

Version history

Main article: Kid Chameleon/Changelog.
System Version Size Date Comment Ref Icon
iOS
 0000010000010000020000000000001.1.2 179MB 201710092017-10-09 [8]
iOS
 0000010000010000010000000000001.1.1 177MB 201709252017-09-25 [9]
iOS
 0000010000010000000000000000001.1.0 177MB 201709132017-09-13 [10]
iOS
 0000010000000000040000000000001.0.4 162MB 201707132017-07-13 [11]
iOS
 0000010000000000030000000000001.0.3 162MB 201706292017-06-29 [12]
iOS
 0000010000000000020000000000001.0.2 162MB 201706222017-06-22 [13]
iOS
 0000010000000000010000000000001.0.1 154.39MB 201706212017-06-21 [14]
Google Android OS
 0000010000010000010000000000001.1.1 48MB 201709262017-09-26 [15]
Download.svg (info) (48.15 MB)
Google Android OS
 0000010000010000000000000000001.1.0 48MB 201709132017-09-13 [15]
Download.svg (info) (48.18 MB)
Google Android OS
 0000010000000000050000000000001.0.5 45MB 201707132017-07-13 [15]
Download.svg (info) (45.3 MB)
Google Android OS
 0000010000000000030000000000001.0.3 47MB 201706292017-06-29 [15]
Download.svg (info) (47.09 MB)
Google Android OS
 0000010000000000020000000000001.0.2 47MB 201706222017-06-22 [15]
Download.svg (info) (47.09 MB)
Google Android OS
 0000010000000000010000000000001.0.1 47MB 201706212017-06-21 [15]
Download.svg (info) (47.1 MB)

Downloadable content

Production credits

Source:
In-game credits


Magazine articles

Main article: Kid Chameleon/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

  • US TV advert

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in GamePro (US) #34: "May 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Mega Force (ES) #1: "Mayo 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg

Digital manuals

  • Steam manual

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
93 №6, p48-49[18]
80 №125, p64[19]
91 №7, p44-46[20]
88 №33, p52-53[21]
90 №46
94 №7, p22-25[22]
96 №8, p82-85[23]
93 №27, p140[24]
81 №2, p79[25]
81 №4, p83[26]
70 №1, p76-77[27]
64 №4, p44-46
75 №11, p62[28]
78 №18, p56-58[29]
92 №21, p60-63[30]
66 №5/92, p145
80 №30, p28-29
89 №6, p68[31]
82 №18, p66
82 №4, p12-16[32]
80 №1/92, p11[33]
85 №11, p22[4]
68 №2/92, p34[34]
Sega Mega Drive
 83
Based on
23 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[35]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
70
[36]
Consoles + (FR)
93
[18]
Console XS (UK) PAL
89
[37]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
80
[19]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
75
[38]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
78
[39]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
63
[40]
Game Power (IT)
91
[20]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
88
[21]
Games-X (UK)
90
[41]
Génération 4 (FR)
91
[42]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
90
[43]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
70
[44]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
94
[22]
Joypad (FR) PAL
96
[23]
Joystick (FR) NTSC-U
93
[24]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
81
[25]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
81
[45]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
70
[46]
Mega (UK) PAL
81
[26]
Mega Force (FR)
70
[47]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
81
[48]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
75
[49]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
64
[1]
Mean Machines (UK)
78
[29]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
78
[50]
Player One (FR)
92
[30]
Play Time (DE)
49
[51]
Power Up! (UK)
88
[52]
Power Play (DE)
66
[53]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
80
[54]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-U
89
[31]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
82
[55]
Sega Force (SE)
80
[33]
Sega Force (UK)
82
[32]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
72
[56]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
61
[57]
Supergame (BR)
85
[4]
Supersonic (FR)
91
[58]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
79
[59]
User (GR) PAL
89
[60]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
70
[61]
Video Games (DE)
68
[34]
Sega Mega Drive
 79
Based on
44 reviews

Kid Chameleon

Mega Drive, US
Kidchameleon md us cover.jpg
Cover
Kidchameleon md us cart.jpg
Cart
Kidchameleon md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
Kidchameleon md eu cover.jpg
Cover
Kidchameleon md eu cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
Kidchameleon md jp cover front.jpg
Cover
ChameleonKid MD JP CartTop.jpg
Kid Chameleon MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Kidchameleon md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, BR
Kidchameleon md br cover.jpg
Cover
Kidchameleon md br manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, KR
Kid Chameleon MD KR Box.jpg
Cover
KidChameleon MD KR Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, CA
KidChameleon MD CA Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, FR

Kid Chameleon MD FR Manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

Level editing has been made possible with the release of K-E. K-E allows maps to be extracted from the Mega Drive ROM, modified, and imported back into the game for play. Up to 126 levels can be used in the game.

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 ce36e6cc
MD5 756e603b6cf9b3ebbb1b0f79d9447e43
SHA-1 28b904000b2863b6760531807760b571f1a5fc1d
1MB 1991-12 Cartridge (US/EU)
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 50217c80
MD5 2c1bee0580a7a875cb7fd4ee497b5bfe
SHA-1 237ff4041f3e8ce5047f06f695fb55dca51354b8
1MB 1991-12 Cartridge (JP)

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 File:MegaTech UK 04.pdf, page 45 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MegaTech UK 04.pdf_p45" defined multiple times with different content
  2. ↑ File:GamePro US 031.pdf, page 40
  3. ↑ File:GamePro US 033.pdf, page 55
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 File:Supergame BR 11.pdf, page 22 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Supergame BR 11.pdf_p22" defined multiple times with different content
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 https://www.engadget.com/2017/06/21/sega-forever-free-mobile-retro-games/
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-06-21-segas-back-catalogue-is-headed-to-mobile-with-sega-forever
  7. ↑ File:SegaForce UK 03.pdf, page 6
  8. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/US/app/id1227823341?mt=8 (Wayback Machine: 2017-10-28 23:51)
  9. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/US/app/id1227823341?mt=8 (Wayback Machine: 2017-10-01 06:57)
  10. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/US/app/id1227823341?mt=8 (Wayback Machine: 2017-09-17 22:03)
  11. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/US/app/id1227823341?mt=8 (Wayback Machine: 2017-07-15 20:26)
  12. ↑ http://archive.is/fcWQ0
  13. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/US/app/id1227823341?mt=8 (Wayback Machine: 2017-06-24 21:58)
  14. ↑ https://archive.is/jFkkD
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 APKPure (com.sega.kidcham)
  16. ↑ Mega Force, "Junio 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 19
  17. ↑ Mega Force, "Julio 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 35
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 File:ConsolesPlus FR 006.pdf, page 48 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ConsolesPlus FR 006.pdf_p48" defined multiple times with different content
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 File:CVG UK 125.pdf, page 64 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 125.pdf_p64" defined multiple times with different content
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 File:GamePower IT 07.pdf, page 46 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePower IT 07.pdf_p46" defined multiple times with different content
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 File:GamePro US 033.pdf, page 54 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePro US 033.pdf_p54" defined multiple times with different content
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 File:HobbyConsolas ES 007.pdf, page 22 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:HobbyConsolas ES 007.pdf_p22" defined multiple times with different content
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 File:Joypad FR 008.pdf, page 82 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joypad FR 008.pdf_p82" defined multiple times with different content
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 File:Joystick FR 027.pdf, page 140 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 027.pdf_p140" defined multiple times with different content
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 File:MDAG UK 02.pdf, page 79 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MDAG UK 02.pdf_p79" defined multiple times with different content
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 File:Mega UK 04.pdf, page 83 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Mega UK 04.pdf_p83" defined multiple times with different content
  27. ↑ File:MegaForce ES 01.pdf, page 76
  28. ↑ File:MegaPlay US 11.pdf, page 62
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 File:MeanMachines UK 18.pdf, page 56 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 18.pdf_p56" defined multiple times with different content
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 File:PlayerOne FR 021.pdf, page 60 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 021.pdf_p60" defined multiple times with different content
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 File:SegaPro UK 06.pdf, page 68 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 06.pdf_p68" defined multiple times with different content
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 File:SegaForce UK 04.pdf, page 12 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce UK 04.pdf_p12" defined multiple times with different content
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 File:SegaForce SE 1992 01.pdf, page 11 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce SE 1992 01.pdf_p11" defined multiple times with different content
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 File:VideoGames DE 1992-02.pdf, page 34 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:VideoGames DE 1992-02.pdf_p34" defined multiple times with different content
  35. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 110
  36. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "June 1992" (JP; 1992-05-08), page 30
  37. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 131
  38. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "June 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 32
  39. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 64
  40. ↑ Famitsu, "1992-06-05" (JP; 1992-05-22), page 38
  41. ↑ Games-X, "12th-18th March 1992" (UK; 1992-03-12), page 24
  42. ↑ Génération 4, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 151
  43. ↑ Game Informer, "Spring 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 7
  44. ↑ Hippon Super, "June 1992" (JP; 1992-05-02), page 95
  45. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 93
  46. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "August 1992" (JP; 1992-07-xx), page 99
  47. ↑ Mega Force, "Mai 1992" (FR; 1992-05-05), page 76
  48. ↑ Mega Fun, "06/92" (DE; 1992-0x-xx), page 28
  49. ↑ Mega Play, "August 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 62
  50. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 139
  51. ↑ Play Time, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-06), page 92
  52. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, May 23, 1992" (UK; 1992-05-23), page 1
  53. ↑ Power Play, "5/92" (DE; 1992-04-15), page 145
  54. ↑ Sega Power, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-02), page 28
  55. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 66
  56. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Review, "1" (RU; 1995-04-03), page 82
  57. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
  58. ↑ Supersonic, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 11
  59. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 100
  60. ↑ User, "Dekémvrios 1992" (GR; 1992-1x-xx), page 50
  61. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "April 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 37
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