Mateo Fire Chameleon LEGO Set Review

When most people think of a chameleon, they picture colour-changing reptiles blending into jungle branches. LEGO had different ideas. Mateo's Fire Chameleon (71492) spits flames instead of catching flies, sports bright teal scales instead of camouflage, and packs enough firepower to level a small village. This 443-piece entry in the LEGO DREAMZzz sets catalogue proves that sometimes the best animal builds come from completely ignoring nature's rulebook.

What Hide Inside the DREAMZzz Package?

Released as part of the LEGO summer releases 2025 wave, Mateo's Fire Chameleon invites builders into Season 3 of the DREAMZzz saga. The set centres around an epic rescue mission where hero Mateo must save Logan from the villainous Zero using his incredible fire chameleon guardian.

The box contains 443 pieces total, five minifigures and characters, including Mateo, Logan, Zero, Z-Blob, and Cyberling, plus one Meanie Screenie figure. Builders can create multiple configurations: a fire chameleon guardian with a mounted blaster or a speedy jet and mini mech combination. The set retails for $54.99 USD, £44.99 GBP, and €49.99 EUR.

What Makes This Chameleon Different From Other LEGO Animals?

The main attraction of this LEGO DREAMZzz set's entry centres on the fire chameleon itself. This brick-built reptile showcases some of the most impressive design work we've seen in the theme to date.

The chameleon captures the essence of its real-world counterpart with remarkable accuracy. The distinctive hunched back becomes instantly recognisable, while the pivoting yellow eyes move independently to create personality. The oddly splayed toes perfectly match chameleon anatomy, and the poseable head, tail, and legs provide dynamic display options. The colour scheme mixes teal, red, yellow, and orange elements to create a truly striking appearance that would benefit tremendously from a light kit for wild animals to enhance its dramatic flame effects and eye glow.

LEGO designers have employed clever techniques throughout the build. Teal vehicle wheel arches positioned above the lizard's eye sockets demonstrate creative parts usage. The new pixelated trans-orange flame piece fits perfectly in the chameleon's mouth, though builders can remove it for a more subdued look.
The chameleon offers decent poseability, though articulation could be improved. The legs provide some movement options, but finding stable positions can be challenging. The opening mouth with a removable flame element adds excellent play value for younger builders.

The Comic-Style Instructions Teaching Kids to Love Reading

One of the standout features of LEGO DREAMZzz sets lies in their comic-book style, story-led building instructions.
Mateo's Fire Chameleon continues this tradition with an immersive building experience that takes approximately one hour to complete the main model.
The set includes 16 stickers total, which may deter some adult builders. These stickers add important visual details that enhance the fantasy aesthetic of the build. The finished model showcases a stunning palette that makes it stand out on any display shelf. The combination of teal elements with bright accent colours creates a truly eye-catching piece.

Two Disappointing Alternatives Wasting Potential

Most LEGO DREAMZzz sets offer alternate building options, and Mateo's Fire Chameleon continues this pattern. Unfortunately, this represents the set's weakest aspect.

The alternate jet configuration feels underwhelming compared to the main chameleon. It functions adequately but lacks the visual impact and clever design elements that make the primary build so compelling. The mini mech, piloted by Z-Blob, serves as an adequate side build but feels more like an afterthought than a substantial alternative. Both alternate builds would be better suited as LEGO magazine freebies rather than main selling points.

Z-Blob Becoming New Collector Currency

The character selection in Mateo's Fire Chameleon provides excellent value for fans of the show.
Mateo features a double-sided head with detailed printing, includes printed torso and legs, and comes with a big goo blaster accessory. Previously seen in other sets, he remains a fan favourite. Zero appears identical to the version from set 71497, with excellent villainous design and high collector demand.
Logan adds to the rescue narrative, Z-Blob provides additional play possibilities, and the Cyberling offers enemy variety for storytelling. The minifigure selection alone nearly justifies the set's price point for series enthusiasts.

Upcoming LEGO DREAMZzz Summer Releases

The LEGO summer releases 2025 wave brings several exciting additions to the DREAMZzz universe, each offering unique building experiences and story opportunities.

Nightmare Shark Submarine (71500)

Nightmare Shark Submarine represents the largest set in the summer wave. This 1,413-piece behemoth offers two intimidating configurations: a shark submarine with engines and a conning tower, or a hammerhead shark battleship with enhanced weaponry. The set features detachable flyers, stud shooters, and missile launchers that fire from the shark's mouth. Minifigures include Mateo, Logan, Astrid, Dreamsmasher, Dreamer, Z-Blob, and three Cyberlings. At $149.99 USD, £129.99 GBP, and €139.99 EUR, this set commands premium pricing. Early reviews suggest it treads familiar ground, feeling more like an updated version of 2023's Nightmare Shark Ship rather than a truly innovative new build.

Mateo's Spray Paint Truck (71499)

Mateo's Spray Paint Truck brings street art aesthetics to the dream world with 929 pieces. Builders can choose between two configurations: a giant spray can shooter or a spray can rocket launcher. The impressive articulated truck features excellent detailing and a bold colour scheme that some compare to Mad Max aesthetics. The minifigure lineup includes Mateo, Cooper, Mr. Oz, Albert, One, D-Shock, and 2 Cyber Brain Spiders. Priced at $99.99 USD, £89.99 GBP, and €99.99 EUR, reviewers praise the truck's design and build quality, though note the two alternate configurations share many similarities.

Mateo vs. Cyber Brain Mech (71495)

Mateo vs. Cyber Brain Mech stands out as a unique, smaller set focusing on villainous builds. This 368-piece set creates three distinct models: a menacing Cyber Brain mech, a Cyber Brain scorpion alternative with dynamic articulation, and includes a special Mateo variant wearing Z-Blob as a protective cape. At $34.99 USD, £24.99 GBP, and €29.99 EUR, this set offers excellent value for those seeking antagonist builds and the unique Mateo minifigure variant that hints at character development in Season 3.

Is This Worth $55 of Your Collection Budget?

At $54.99, Mateo's Fire Chameleon sits in the mid-range for LEGO DREAMZzz sets. The price per piece ratio of approximately 12.4 cents falls within acceptable ranges for licensed themes.
The set's strengths include an exceptional main build with innovative design, strong minifigure selection, including the sought-after Zero, high play value with the articulated chameleon, and significant display potential thanks to bold colours and unique design. However, underwhelming alternate builds feel rushed, 16 stickers may deter some builders, limited articulation affects the chameleon's legs, and Mateo appears across multiple sets, creating potential fatigue.

Comparison with Other DREAMZzz Sets

Within the broader LEGO DREAMZzz set catalogue, Mateo's Fire Chameleon occupies a strong middle position. It falls short of reaching the heights of sets like Castle Nocturnia but surpasses many smaller releases in terms of build satisfaction and visual impact.
The set particularly shines when compared to recent animal-based builds in the theme, offering more sophisticated construction techniques and better parts usage than many predecessors. The chameleon represents one of LEGO's more unusual animal subjects, making it appealing to collectors seeking something different.

Does This Set Prove LEGO Understands What Kids Crave?

Mateo's Fire Chameleon succeeds primarily on the strength of its main build. The brick-built chameleon showcases excellent design work and innovative construction techniques that make it a standout piece. The alternate builds disappoint, and the price could be lower, but the overall package provides enough value for most DREAMZzz enthusiasts.

The set reinforces why the LEGO DREAMZzz theme continues to impress with its willingness to attempt unusual builds and creative design solutions. For fans of the show or those simply seeking a unique addition to their collection, Mateo's Fire Chameleon delivers where it matters most.

Final Rating: 4/5⭐ - A strong entry in the DREAMZzz catalog that succeeds on the strength of its innovative main build, despite underwhelming alternate options.

FAQ

How long does it take to build Mateo's Fire Chameleon?

The main chameleon build takes approximately one hour, with the alternate builds adding another 15 minutes each.

Are the alternate builds worth rebuilding for?

The alternate builds (speedy jet and mini mech) feel underdeveloped compared to the impressive main chameleon model, though they function adequately.

Is this set a good value compared to other LEGO DREAMZzz sets?

At $54.99 for 443 pieces, it offers reasonable value, especially considering the quality minifigure selection and innovative main build.

Can the chameleon's eyes really move independently?

Yes, the yellow eyes feature pivoting mechanisms that allow for independent movement, adding personality to the build.

How does this compare to other LEGO animal builds?

The chameleon stands out for its unique subject matter and excellent attention to anatomical details rarely seen in LEGO's animal offerings.

Is the Zero minifigure exclusive to this set?

No, the same Zero figure also appears in set 71497 Cooper's Tiger Mech & Zero's Hot Rod Car.

Do I need to watch the DREAMZzz show to enjoy this set?

Knowledge of the show enhances the experience, but the set works perfectly as a standalone build and display piece.