Chameleon

Jaleco's Chameleon, released in 1983, is a cooperative platform game for two players. As chameleons, players navigate single-screen levels filled with platforms and poles, tasked with collecting chicken eggs before they hatch. A unique mechanic allows the chameleon to use its long tongue both to pull itself upwards to higher areas and as a tool to evade pursuing chickens or trigger bombs that can eliminate threats. The game requires careful timing and coordination; unattended eggs will eventually develop into baby chicks, which players can consume for bonus points—but these chicks quickly mature into aggressive adult chickens if left alone. Players must also watch out for projectiles like flashing eggs launched by the angry fowl guarding their nests. Each level concludes once all eggs are recovered and all chickens have been dealt with, presenting a charming challenge rooted in simple controls: a four-way joystick to move and a single button to utilize the chameleon’s distinctive tongue ability.