Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind Review – Having Another Go (Go)

As a publication dedicated to the evolving landscape of interactive entertainment, we at Gaming News consistently strive to deliver comprehensive and insightful reviews that cut through the noise and highlight the true essence of a gaming experience. Our mission is to equip our readers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their entertainment choices, and in doing so, to provide content so rich and detailed that it stands as the definitive resource on any given title. Today, we turn our attention to the vibrant, action-packed world of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind, a title that beckons players back to the iconic era of the original Power Rangers with a modern beat ‘em up twist.

The foundational appeal of the Power Rangers franchise has always been its potent blend of youthful exuberance, martial arts action, and aspirational teamwork. For many of us who grew up in the vibrant tapestry of the 1990s, the Power Rangers were more than just characters on a screen; they were the catalysts for imaginative playground battles, the embodiment of courage, and the inspiration for countless after-school discussions. The video game adaptations of this beloved series have often strived to capture that same magic, particularly the co-operative beat ‘em up genre, which perfectly mirrors the collaborative spirit of the Rangers themselves. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind, developed by Digital Eclipse and published by Digital Eclipse, is the latest offering in this lineage, aiming to deliver a nostalgic trip down memory lane while introducing fresh gameplay mechanics.

A Nostalgic Journey Through Angel Grove

Rita’s Rewind invites up to five players to step into the iconic Ranger suits – Jason, Zack, Kimberly, Billy, and Trini – embarking on an adventure that condenses the essence of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers television series into a digestible and exhilarating playable experience. The narrative weaves a compelling time-traveling plot, wherein a future iteration of the malevolent Rita Repulsa conspires with her past self to manipulate the timeline and secure her ultimate victory. This premise allows for a delightful re-exploration of pivotal moments from the show, from the Rangers’ initial transformation sequences to the dramatic and conflict-ridden saga of the Green Ranger.

As we navigated through the game’s meticulously crafted levels, the sheer weight of nostalgia was palpable. We found ourselves reliving cherished memories, our fists connecting with familiar adversaries such as the formidable Goldar and the ubiquitous Putty Patrol. What truly elevates the experience beyond mere repetition is the inclusion of deep-cut episodic villains, those memorable yet often forgotten antagonists who, in their brief appearances on screen, etched themselves into the minds of dedicated fans. Rita’s Rewind not only resurrects these characters but also places them in contexts that feel both surprising and satisfyingly familiar, a testament to the developers’ keen understanding of the source material.

The Core Combat: A Familiar Yet Evolving Formula

At its heart, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind adheres to the established conventions of the beat ‘em up genre. The combat system is, by design, accessible and intuitive, mirroring the straightforward yet impactful action that defined many of its predecessors. Players will find themselves instinctively executing a satisfying barrage of punches and kicks, each strike accompanied by responsive feedback that amplifies the visceral thrill of battle. This fundamental gameplay loop is undeniably enjoyable, offering a sense of cathartic release as players plow through waves of enemies.

A key addition that injects a welcome layer of tactical depth into the otherwise straightforward combat is the inclusion of a dodging flip. This maneuver, more than just a defensive option, provides a crucial element of nimbleness, allowing players to evade incoming attacks with a fluid, acrobatic motion. Mastering this dodge is essential for survival, particularly when facing tougher opponents or larger groups of enemies, and it successfully elevates the combat beyond simple button-mashing.

However, we must address a notable omission that, in our view, represents a missed opportunity: the inability to wield weapons. The Power Rangers are famously associated with their distinct personal armaments – the Power Sword, the Power Axe, the Power Bow, the Power Daggers, and the Power Staff. The inclusion of these iconic weapons would have undoubtedly added significant variety and depth to the combat, offering players more strategic options and a greater sense of authenticity. Given the genre’s staple inclusion of varied weaponry and the Rangers’ own arsenal, their absence is keenly felt.

Despite this, the game does offer a rewarding payoff for offensive prowess. Landing a series of successful attacks fills a special attack meter, which, when depleted, unleashes a screen-clearing, devastating special move. Each Ranger possesses a unique variation of this ultimate attack, providing a distinct visual and mechanical flourish that further encourages experimentation with the roster.

A point of contention arises with the method of character switching. Currently, players are restricted to changing their Ranger only between missions, within a shallow hub area known as the Angel Grove Community Center. This hub, while featuring a few bland minigames, fails to provide the dynamic character swapping that is a hallmark of many modern beat ‘em ups. The ability to switch characters mid-mission, particularly after a Ranger has been defeated, would significantly enhance player agency and the overall flow of gameplay. As it stands, this limitation detracts from the fluidity of the co-operative experience.

Level Design, Secrets, and the Intriguing Time Crystals

The stages within Rita’s Rewind are, for the most part, functional rather than groundbreaking, featuring several recognizable locales from the television series. However, what they lack in environmental diversity, they more than compensate for with a wealth of easter eggs and secret collectibles. For dedicated fans, these hidden elements serve as delightful nods to the show’s expansive lore, offering opportunities to interact with familiar faces like Ernie, the proprietor of the Youth Center, and Principal Caplan, the stern but ultimately well-meaning school principal. Discovering these hidden gems adds an extra layer of engagement for those with a deep appreciation for the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers universe.

A particularly innovative mechanic introduced in Rita’s Rewind is the presence of time crystals. These strategically placed objects within stages are often depicted as unstable and about to explode. Players are tasked with destroying these crystals before their timer expires. Failure to do so results in a temporal anomaly, causing time to rewind by several seconds, forcing players to re-engage with a brief segment of the preceding action. This mechanic introduces a unique and compelling element of urgency, directly reinforcing the game’s overarching time-manipulation theme. It’s a small but impactful addition that cleverly integrates the narrative into the core gameplay loop.

The Zord Segments: A Mixed Bag of Nostalgia and Tedium

Interspersed between the beat ‘em up stages are sequences that see Rita Repulsa utilizing her magic wand to grow monsters to giant size. In these moments, players are given the opportunity to pilot the iconic Dinozords in first-person, on-rail shooter segments. We found these sections to be a refreshing change of pace. The deliberate choice to render these segments with an old-school, polygonal aesthetic is a masterstroke, evoking a genuine sense of retro charm that resonates with fans of early 3D gaming. The action, while simple, provides a welcome respite from the potential monotony of continuous brawling.

However, the Megazord battles, which adopt a Punch-Out-esque one-on-one format, proved to be a more divisive element for our team. While we appreciate the immersive first-person perspective that simulates piloting the Rangers’ ultimate weapon, and the subtle yet effective touch of showing the Rangers being physically rocked within the Megazord’s cockpit upon taking damage, these extended duels often devolved into tedious affairs. The primary culprit for this tedium is the occasionally delayed input reaction. Dodging incoming projectiles, a critical defensive maneuver, can feel imprecise due to this input lag, leading to frustrating misses. Furthermore, the constant need to sprint forward to close the distance with foes who perpetually leap backward creates an annoying ebb and flow that can disrupt the engagement.

The penalty for failure in these Megazord battles is particularly harsh: players are forced to replay the entire segment from its inception. Given that these bouts, even when performed competently, are not inherently the most enjoyable part of the game, the prospect of replaying them due to a single misstep significantly mitigates any pleasure derived from them.

Post-Launch Support and Overall Value

Since its initial release, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind has benefited from valuable free updates, a commendable approach that enhances the game’s longevity and replayability. Of particular note is the introduction of an optional Ranger leveling system. This addition introduces a compelling layer of character progression, allowing players to invest in their favorite Rangers and customize their abilities, thereby creating greater character variety and fostering a deeper connection with the team.

Furthermore, the implementation of gameplay modifiers has proven to be a significant boon. Options such as adjusting the game speed and even altering the gravitational pull add a novel dimension to the experience, empowering players to tailor the game to their preferences. These thoughtful additions successfully freshen up the gameplay and allow for a more personalized adventure.

As it stands, Rita’s Rewind does not fundamentally reinvent the beat ‘em up genre. The core action is competently executed, offering a level of polish and responsiveness that surpasses many of its contemporaries. However, it does, at times, succumb to the inherent monotony that can plague the genre. The Zord segments, while offering a change of pace, can occasionally veer into irritation, and the Megazord battles, as previously discussed, present their own unique set of frustrations.

The Verdict: A Must-Have for Ranger Enthusiasts

Ultimately, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind is a game that understands its audience. For those who hold a deep affection for the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, who grew up with the show and yearn to revisit that era of Saturday morning cartoon magic, this title offers a compelling and worthwhile experience. It is, in our estimation, the Power Rangers’ best cooperative outing to date. The blend of nostalgic callbacks, accessible combat, and engaging narrative makes it a joyous celebration of a cultural phenomenon. While it may not break new ground in the beat ‘em up landscape, it succeeds admirably in capturing the spirit of what made the Power Rangers so beloved in the first place.

This review reflects our comprehensive assessment of Rita’s Rewind as of its 2025 release, taking into account all post-launch updates and their impact on the overall score. The developers at Digital Eclipse have crafted a game that, while not without its minor flaws, delivers a potent dose of nostalgia and engaging co-operative gameplay that will undoubtedly resonate with fans.

Score: 7.75

About Gaming News’s Review System: Our scoring system is designed to reflect the multifaceted nature of modern video games. A score of 7.75 indicates a game that is highly enjoyable and well-crafted, offering significant strengths that outweigh its weaknesses. It represents a title that is definitely worth playing, particularly for its target audience, and showcases a strong understanding of its genre and source material. While not a perfect score, it signifies a robust and recommendable experience.