Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind Review

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind Review

As a lifelong Power Rangers fan who grew up watching every episode and dreaming of becoming the Mighty Morphin Red Ranger, I must say that reviewing Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind was an absolute blast from the past! It brought back memories of standing in front of the TV, waiting for the next monster to appear on screen so I could shout out the moves with my imaginary Power Morpher in hand.

Currently, the Power Rangers brand finds itself in an unusual position. The transition of rights from Haim Saban to Hasbro has noticeably impacted the latest TV seasons, which aren’t quite able to draw the same level of interest as their predecessors or even the ongoing Super Sentai series that Power Rangers is modeled on. However, fans’ affection for Power Rangers remains strong, and it’s being nurtured through ventures such as Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind. It seems fitting that Rita’s Rewind concentrates so much on the series’ prime time, as a more rough-edged version wouldn’t seem out of place in those bygone days.

In the spirit of the ’90s era, beat-’em-ups and fighting games were associated with the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Just as Battle for the Grid ushered in a new era of fighters, Rita’s Rewind undeniably reflects the present day and is more dedicated to the genre than its predecessors. Starring Rita Repulsa and Robo Rita from the 2023 Netflix anniversary film Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always, this side-scrolling action game takes you on a journey through remixed highlights of the original Power Rangers’ adventures. Despite its compact size, it is packed with entertainment.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind Is Relentlessly Charming

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Primarily, “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind” is a heartfelt tribute to “MMPR“. Stunning hand-drawn pixel art evokes memories of “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge“, but unlike the latter, this game was developed by Digital Eclipse instead of Tribute Games. It’s quite unusual that the game starts with one of its VCR filters activated, given that the visuals are clear enough to look even better without it. The rest of the presentation is equally impressive, featuring a lively soundtrack that incorporates elements from the famous “MMPR” music, and fresh voice acting, which includes voices from “X-Men ‘97“, that effectively rekindles the spirit of the original Power Rangers.

Regarding this game, characters take on the color-coded roles of the original Power Rangers as seen in “Rita’s Rewind”. Similar to “Shredder’s Revenge”, it offers six player slots for offline gaming, allowing friends to join in. For now, online play only supports two players, with future updates planned to increase this number. Interestingly, only five characters can be played until Tommy Oliver, the Green Ranger, is unlocked upon completing the initial gameplay. It’s a bit disappointing that the full Mighty Morphin Power Rangers team can’t be assembled at the start, but “Rita’s Rewind” could use additional incentives for replay value beyond just collectibles and speedrunning.

First and foremost, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind is a love letter to MMPR .

Playing Rita’s Rewind alone offers a streamlined, back-to-basics brawling experience with frequent twists to maintain excitement. While solo players can customize their journey by mastering various gameplay styles, the limited character moveset may feel less dynamic compared to multiplayer mode. In a group setting, however, the chaos intensifies as combat becomes a frenetic, chaotic spectacle across the screen – and that’s what makes it so enjoyable!

The legendary Angel Grove Community Center reappears as the central location connecting various levels, brimming with nostalgic nods to MMPR. Here, the Rangers can be found in their civilian personas while comic relief duo Bulk and Skull add to the scene. Additionally, you’ll find vintage arcade games, reminiscent of quarter-devouring machines from back then, scattered around this hub. This central area encapsulates the passion poured into the diverse array of gaming experiences found in Rita’s Rewind, a tribute to the Power Rangers genre. Scattered throughout each stage are references to early seasons, fan-favorite inside jokes, and even behind-the-scenes Power Rangers production facts, with uncovering every Easter Egg taking nearly as long as completing the entire game.

Despite Spanning Ages, MMPR: Rita’s Rewind Has No Time To Spare

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It turns out that the task at hand might actually be more feasible than you might initially think, because while “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind” boasts an impressive lineup of Putty Patrol punching, shooting galleries, driving minigames, Dinozord segments, and full-on Megazord battles, it’s surprisingly short – just 2 to 3 hours long. This brevity, even for a $34.99 USD game, is somewhat excessive when compared to classic arcade beat-’em-ups. However, the variety of activities keeps the action engaging and showcases some of the most iconic monsters from “Power Rangers” in an appealing light. Whether the price justifies this experience will depend on each player.

As a devoted admirer, I predict that one contentious aspect could be the fundamental mechanics. Rita’s Rewind delivers an enjoyable modern beat-’em-up experience, yet, being part of the current 2D brawler wave, it might not captivate genre enthusiasts as much. It skillfully sidesteps the challenges faced by games like Scott Pilgrim by maintaining reasonable enemy AI and offering players ample room to innovate with the combat tools at their disposal, particularly in multiplayer modes. However, when compared to games like Shredder’s Revenge and the more immersive progression system of Scott Pilgrim, it becomes evident that Digital Eclipse is still relatively new to this genre. The regular gameplay can be a touch repetitive due to the Rangers having similar abilities, although their shared moveset does feel satisfying to use.

As a die-hard Power Rangers fan, I can confidently say that the game “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind” is a delightful throwback that fans of the franchise should treasure. Even those new to the world of Power Rangers can join in on the fun. This game would have been a sensation in ’90s arcades, and its dedication to the source material makes it just as appealing today, standing alongside the “Once & Always” special that inspired it.

The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind game will be available starting December 10 on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. Game Rant received a PC version of the game for this review.

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2024-12-09 17:04