Crowdfunding services can bring out the unique projects- those that would probably never see the light of day otherwise.  We see this with potential movie producers, game developers, musicians and even gaming consoles.  The Coleco Chameleon is an attempt to launch a new video game console that is allegedly pointed at the “retro” community as a whole.  Previously known as the RETRO Video Game System, the founder of the project, Mike Kennedy, has re-examined his effort after a failed IndieGoGo campaign.  Mr. Kennedy has acquired, at the minimum, a license to use the name “Coleco” from current owner, Riverwest Brands.  This action is more common than most people think as I pointed out here on Gravis Ludus.  Now known as the Coleco Chameleon (covered here on RGM), Mr. Kennedy is planning to launch a Kickstarter campaign to seek funding from the fan base that is expected to support this new console.  So far hard information on the specifications of the console are unknown, though there is compelling evidence that the “prototype” shown at the New York Toy Fair last weekend is anything but.  We have seen the RETRO Video Game Systems Inc Facebook page update daily with a new Kickstarter reward tier so we will discuss those here.

Reward Tier #1– $135, limited to 1,500 backers.  “Early Bird Standard Retail Coleco Chameleon”.  This is the first tier that was announced (obvious by that #1 in the title) and the one that was, obviously, intended to build positive vibes for the console.  Backers of this tier will receive a 10% discount off the normal price of $150.  Included will be one Coleco Chameleon console, on Coleco Chameleon USB controller, an HDMI cable, AC adapter and the pack-in game.

Reward Tier #2– $150 “Standard Retail Coleco Chameleon”.  One black Coleco Chameleon, one Coleco Chameleon USB controller, an HDMI cable, AC adapter and the pack-in game.

Reward Tier #3– $185 “RPG Lovers Retail Bundle”.  One black Coleco Chameleon, one Coleco Chameleon USB controller, an HDMI cable, AC adapter, pack-in game plus Battle Brave Saga by Piko Interactive.

Reward Tier #4– $185 “Platform Lovers Retail Bundle”.  One black Coleco Chameleon, one Coleco Chameleon USB controller, an HDMI cable, AC adapter and the pack-in game.  This bundle also gives the backer a choice.  Allegedly you will be able to pick from Dorke & Ymp by Piko Interactive or Sydney Hunter and the Caverns of Death by Collectorvision.  It is noted by the RETRO Video Game Systems Inc Facebook page that additional game in this tier will come in an exclusive campaign only color cartridge (forced collectability?).  Dorke & Ymp is available on Super Nintendo directly from Piko Interactive.   Sydney Hunter will reportedly be available for the original ColecoVision console, MSX computer, Sega Dreamcast, NES, SNES, Genesis, Sega CD, Turbo Grafx-16, Commodore 64, Apple II, original Game Boy and modern consoles for a total of 11 or 12 platforms (i.e., not exclusive to the Chameleon).

Reward Tier #5– $210 “Beat-em Up Lovers Retail Bundle”.  One black Coleco Chameleon, one Coleco Chameleon USB controller, an HDMI cable, AC adapter and the pack-in game.  This bundle also features a choice of additional games.  Backers of this level will allegedly be able to pick from Legend or Iron Commando both by Piko Interactive.  Legend is available on Steam for $5 right now while Iron Commando is a new, unreleased in North America Super Nintendo title that Piko has licensed and is fixing up for release.

Reward Tier #6– $225 “ColecoVision Lovers Retail Bundle”.  Includes one black Coleco Chameleon, one Coleco Chameleon USB console, an HDMI cable and the pack-in game.  This bundle will allegedly give backers one “ColecoVision Collection #1 (15 game multicart) plus two “exclusive” USB ColecoVision style controllers.

Reward Tier #7– $250 “Intellivision Lovers Retail Bundly”. Includes one Coleco Chameleon, one Coleco Chameleon USB controller, an HDMI cable, AC adapter and the pack-in game.  This bundle will allegedly come with one “INtellivision Collection #1 (15 game multicart)” plus “Elektonite Intellivision Game Collection (6 game multicart) and two “exclusive” USB Intellivision style controllers with game collection overlays.

As you can see, the pack-in title is not yet announced.  It won’t be Sydney Hunter and the Caverns of Death.  It was thought that Caverns of Death would be the pack-in game based on historical evidence.  Collectorvision were making Adventures of Tiny Knight as the pack-in for the RETRO Video Game System (IndieGoGo link).  More recently, Gamester81/John Lester, PR agent for Collectorvision, stated that Tiny Knight was now a “maybe” release for the RVGS Inc console while they were working on ONE game they were contractually required to complete- Sydney Hunter and the Caverns of Death.  Since they were previously listed as the pack-in game developer it was only a natural jump to Sydney Hunter being the pack-in game.  That is clearly no longer being the case.

There is a slim chance that Sydney Hunter and the Curse of the Mayans, yet another Collectorvision title, could be put in as the pack-in game.  This is possible considering the Coleco Chameleon’s alleged claim to fame is FPGA cores for other platforms (allegedly the SNES core was shown at the New York Toy Fair).  “Porting” an SNES/Genesis/Turbo Grafx-16/etc title to the Chameleon is as simple as loading the game ROM on a compatible cartridge and using the right “FPGA core” for the platform the game was originally intended for.

There are rumors that the pack-in cartridge could be a compilation of some sort.  Maybe demos of various games coming to the Chemeleon?  This was a popular action when 32-Bit consoles came onto market- pack a demo disc in with the console instead of a single game.  There has yet to be a confirmation noted that this is what RETRO Video Game Systems Inc are planning but it cannot be ruled out either.

Previous coverage of the Coleco Chameleon:
USB Controllers, ColecoVision/Intellivision Compilations and exclusive controllers
“Prototype” shown at New York Toy Fair
Revisionist, 1984 style, censorship and the Coleco Chameleon
Mike Kennedy talks Coleco Chameleon while 3rd party devs stops talking to RGM
Goodbye RETRO Video Game System, hello Coleco Chameleon
RVGS becomes Coleco Chameleon
Coleco Holdings, Coleco Chameleon and the Real Coleco

Carl Williams

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