ThePower Rangersfranchise is in an odd spot right now. Effects of the rights exchange from Haim Saban to Hasbro are being felt keenly, with new TV seasons struggling to pull in as much interest as older ones, or even the continuingSuper Sentaifranchise thatPower Rangersis based on. At the same time, love forPower Rangers’ past is still alive, and being reinforced through projects likePower Rangers: Battle for the GridandMighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind. It’s fitting thatRita’s Rewindis so focused on the series’ heyday, as a less visually-polished version wouldn’t look out of place back then.
Beat-’em-ups and fighting games were part of the originalMighty Morphin Power Rangers’ mid-90’s era, but much like howBattle for the Gridwas a new fighter for a new age,Rita’s Rewindis unmistakably modern, and more committed to the genre than its predecessors. Featuring the original Rita Repulsa teaming up with Robo Rita from the 2023 Netflix anniversary filmMighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always, this side-scrolling action game seesthe originalPower Rangersteamfighting through remixed highlights of their original adventures. The result is an afternoon romp that may be small, but is chock-full of fun.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind Is Relentlessly Charming
First and foremost,Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewindis a love letter toMMPR. Vibrant hand-drawn pixel art brings to mindScott Pilgrim vs. the World: The GameandTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, althoughRita’s Rewindwas developed byTMNT: The Cowabunga Collection’s Digital Eclipseinstead of Tribute Games. It’s actually surprising that the game boots with one of its VCR filters on, as the visuals are clean enough to look better without it. The rest of the presentation is also a treat, with a rocking soundtrack that takes some cues from the iconicMMPRscore, and new voice acting, including recognizableX-Men ‘97voices, that recaptures the original Rangers.
Speaking of which, players fill the color-coded shoes of the original Power Rangers inRita’s Rewind. Like theaforementionedShredder’s Revenge, there are six player slotsfor offline friends to bring the whole team into play, though online play will only support two players until promised updates add more. Also, only five slots are available until the Green Ranger, Tommy Oliver, is unlocked after completing an initial playthrough. It’s unfortunate that the fullMighty Morphin Power Rangerssquad can’t unite at first, butRita’s Rewindis admittedly in need of reasons for repeat runs beyond simple collectibles and a speedrun mode.
First and foremost,Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewindis a love letter toMMPR.
Multiplayer is the largest incentive to playRita’s Rewindagain, especially since the player count changes the experience. Solo,MMPR: Rita’s Rewindis a back-to-basics brawlerwith frequent gameplay shifts to keep things interesting. Lone players can enjoy a curated experience while mastering the different gameplay styles, though they can’t quite offset the small regular moveset. In a group, combat turns into a hectic mess with movement all over the screen, but that’s why it’s fun.Rita’s Rewindkeeps the chaos flowing through its genre shifts, even turning the MegazordPunch-Outfights into an artificial “pass the controller” affair that keeps everyone involved. Despite the occasional unclear hitbox and stiff-feeling movement, it’s a blast, even during downtime.
The iconic Angel Grove Youth Center returns as the hub between levels to provide just that, and brings with it a double helping ofMMPRfanservice. With the Rangers assuming their civilian identities, Bulk and Skull hamming it up in the background, and even playable arcade cabinets with simple quarter muncher games, this hub embodies the love that went into the rest of thegenre smorgasbord that isRita’s Rewind. References to early seasons, fandom in-jokes, and evenPower Rangersproduction trivia are scattered across every stage, and it would take almost as long as a full playthrough to point every Easter Egg out.
Despite Spanning Ages, MMPR: Rita’s Rewind Has No Time To Spare
That task is unfortunately more plausible than it sounds, asMighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewindis only 2–3 hours long, which is short even for a $34.99 USD game, but bordering on excessive for a classic arcade beat-‘em-up. Plenty of shooting galleries, driving minigames, Dinozord segments, and full-on Megazord battles break up all ofMMPR: Rita’s Rewind’s Putty Patrol punching, and boss fights show some ofPower Rangers’ most iconic monsters in their best light, but it will be up to individual players if that’s enough to justify the price.
Another divisive area will likely be the base mechanics.Rita’s Rewindis a perfectly serviceable modern beat-‘em-up, but chasing the recent 2D brawler trend means this game won’t turn genre fans’ heads. It avoids theScott Pilgrimgame’s issues by keeping common enemy AI reasonable and letting players get creative with the combat tools they’ve got, especially in multiplayer, but the lack ofShredder’s RevengeandScott Pilgrim’s character progressionand deeper play speaks to Digital Eclipse’s inexperience with this genre. The worst part of normal gameplay, however, is how similar the Rangers are outside each one’s devastating ultimate attack, though at least their shared moveset feels good.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewindis a small, but well-rounded package thatPower Rangersfans should adore, and unfamiliar friends can enjoy alongside them.Rita’s Rewindwould have been a hit in late 90s arcades, and its competence and love for the source material means it should find an audience todayalongside theOnce & Alwaysspecial it sprang from. Even if its competitors do what it does better,Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewindis still a rollicking good time that no one will regret experiencing.
WHERE TO PLAY
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewindreleases on December 10 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. Game Rant was provided with a PC code for this review.
