When did Kid Chameleon release?

Kid Chameleon was first released on May 28, 1992.

Kid Chameleon

May 28, 1992PlatformLinuxWii Sega Mega Drive/GenesisAndroidPC (Microsoft Windows)

Kid Chameleon — frequently asked questions

What platforms is Kid Chameleon on?: Kid Chameleon was released on Linux, Wii, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Android, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Mac.
When did Kid Chameleon release?: Kid Chameleon was first released on May 28, 1992.

About Kid Chameleon

Kid Chameleon is a 1992 platform game released for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. The premise of the game is that the main character, Casey, can use masks to change into different characters in order to use different abilities. It was later released in Japan as Chameleon Kid. The game is also a part of the Sega Genesis Collection for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable. It was released for the Virtual Console in Japan on May 22, 2007; North America on May 28, 2007; and Europe on June 1, 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. The game has also appeared in Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Summary via IGDB.

Game details

Platforms: Linux, Wii, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Android, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Mac
Developer: Sega Technical Institute
Publisher: Sega of America
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer
Themes: Action, Fantasy, Science fiction

Details via IGDB.

Reception

IGDB rating

83/100

from 40 ratings

Every version compared

Prices, contemporary reception and the studio credited for each release

Platform	Year	Loose	Complete	Sealed	Period reviews	Fake risk
Sega Genesis	1992	$14	$32	$457	9 reviews	Low

Also released on: Linux · Wii · Sega Mega Drive/Genesis · Android · PC (Microsoft Windows) · iOS · Mac. We haven’t priced or authenticated those versions yet.

Collector value & authenticity

Sega Genesis · PriceCharting sold data · Verified 2026-10-29

Loose

$14

Complete

$32

Sealed

$457

Other releases and variants

Release	Loose	Complete	Sealed
European (PAL) release	$11	$26	—
Japanese release (Chameleon Kid)	$15	$73	—

How often it sells

Loose: about once a week
Complete: about once a week
Sealed: about 2 times a year

Sales frequency from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, as of 2026-10-29.

Price over time

Loose
Complete

A loose copy sold for about $4.97 in Jan 2008, $11.18 five years ago, and $13.64 as of Oct 2026.

Show as table

Month	Loose	Complete
Jan 2008	$4.97	—
Jan 2009	$5.99	—
Jan 2010	$7.07	—
Jan 2011	$4.99	—
Jan 2012	$4.81	—
Jan 2013	$6.96	—
Jan 2014	$7.75	$12.99
Jan 2015	$9.99	$18.00
Jan 2016	$10.00	$21
Jan 2017	$12.84	$20
Jan 2018	$11.15	$20
Jan 2019	$11.17	$23
Jan 2020	$11.61	$20
Jan 2021	$13.00	$28
Jan 2022	$14.94	$33
Jan 2023	$10.07	$26
Jan 2024	$11.77	$25
Jan 2025	$11.69	$31
Jan 2026	$14.95	$29
Oct 2026	$13.64	$32

Monthly price estimates from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, sampled quarterly, through Oct 2026.

Release record

Territory	Date	Product number	Barcode
North America	March 1992	—	010086010107
Europe / PAL	May 1992	—	4974365610104
Japan	29 May 1992	G-4070	4974365540708

Source: Product numbers: MAME's Mega Drive software list and the No-Intro serial records in the libretro database, published where both agree on the same cartridge dump, or from the libretro records alone where MAME lists no number for that dump. Board and ROM numbers: MAME's software list

Region: NA+EU+JP
Released: 1992
Authenticity: Low

Modern re-releases, such as Sega Ages, the Genesis Mini and Nintendo Switch Online, are not tracked hereLow counterfeit risk

Sega Genesis prices, all games & how to spot a fake

A big, easy and likeable platformer where masks change your abilities, at an average price.

Kid Chameleon was made by Sega Technical Institute and published by Sega. It reached North America in March 1992, Europe in May 1992 and Japan on 29 May 1992, where it is called Chameleon Kid. You play a kid pulled into a virtual reality video game whose rogue artificial intelligence must be stopped, working through levels that end at a flag. Masks you pick up turn you into different forms, which is the central mechanic.

Mean Machines, in its 1992 games guide, called it a nice-looking platformer that combined elements of Mario and Sonic with some neat touches of its own. Its one complaint was that it was too easy for platform fans, though it thought novices would enjoy the action.

What the press said at the time

Game Informer Issue 4	Spring 1992	Overall Rating 9.5 (Rick, The Video Ranger); Overall Rating 9 (Ross, The Game Rebel). Rick: Concept 9.5, Graphics & Animation 8, Sound 7, Playability 9, Entertainment Value 9.5. Ross: Concept 9, Graphics & Animation 10, Sound 8, Playability 9, Entertainment Value 9
Mean Machines Games Guide	May 1992	OVERAU 78%
Mean Machines Sega Issue 3	December 1992	78%
MegaTech Issue 18	June 1993	MT RATING: 84%
GameRankings (aggregate)		68%
Sega Force		82%
Console XS		89%
Mega Play		30/40
Manci Games		B+

“This would have led me to believe this was a game aimed at younger players, but if that were the case why is it incredibly easy for the first eight levels until the almost-impossible wall of death bit appears and then it settles down again for the subsequent stages. Overall Kid Chameleon is a nice idea spoiled by poor execution.”
— MegaTech, March 1992

“A very playable game which could have been a classic but for a couple of flaws. Beginners will enjoy the action, but it might be too easy for seasoned platform \ addicts.”
— Mean Machines, March 1992

“This game doesn't coma anywhere near It. The inclusion ol the Chameleon power Is a nice touch, but it's all been done before.”
— Computer + Video Games, April 1992

“Kid Chameleon is a sensational game. The concept makes the player feel more involved than most other games.”
— Game Informer, Spring 1992

Undated scores are from the review table in the game's Wikipedia article, limited to reviews of the Genesis version.

Before you buy

Among US carts it sits about at the middle. The European cart usually costs less than the US one. The Japanese cart usually costs about the same loose, but a complete Japanese copy usually costs much more; its cartridge has a different shape that needs an adapter or the removal of two plastic tabs in a Western console's slot.