To start with, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind very much wants to follow in the steps of Shredder’s Revenge, including the same type of secrets to find in the stages, as well as having stage objectives. It is very hard not to compare the two games when it is clear that this was influenced so much by the earlier game. That being said, Rita’s Rewind does try and do a few things differently and it is at those times when it stands out.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind is designed to look like a classic SNES era beat em up, complete with visual effects and Digital Eclipse shines very well here. There is definitely a feeling of a lost beat ’em up being found, and then when you play the game, you get mixed feelings. Some parts feel incredibly derivative and lesser, while some sections feel absolutely incredible, but enough stalling.
The plot in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind sees Robo-Rita, a character introduced in an anniversary special, travel back in time to the Mighty Morphin era to join forces with past Rita to wreak havoc. Events start to differ as things happen differently than they should such as enemies from later on showing up as the rangers are starting out. This is actually a brilliant way to introduce enemy variety so it is not just always the putties that you are fighting, and the time travel effects do not end there, as time distortions will occur throughout the stages and impact them in different ways.
Combat is the biggest part of any beat ’em up and this is where I have an issue with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind. The combat is not overly complicated like in some brawlers which is a good thing, and goes for same approach Shredder’s Revenge does, but it just feels so much less smooth here. There is a jankiness to the controls and a sluggishness in the responses that makes combat feel a but unresponsive at times, and causes issues when trying to perform certain attacks. This very much leads to frustration, and it is especially notable if playing solo.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind is a game that really needs to be played in multiplayer for proper enjoyment, both for the beat ’em up sections and the other ones I will get to in a minute. All the characters feel very similar, with only minimal differences, and that might be disappointing to some who wanted more variety in the characters.Still, this does help resolve issues that might arise if players both want a certain kind of fighter and can instead just argue over who gets to be the red ranger.
Where Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind shines is its Zord sections, which take on a number of forms and help to greatly change up the gameplay. One section for instance, is a Space Harriet style shooter that comes as a refreshing change of pace. These sections really need to be played in multiplayer in order to have the proper experience though, as a solo player might be overwhelmed or just not enjoy it as much.These Zord sections really help to set Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind apart and give it a unique identity and are the high point of the game for me, both in terms of gameplay and the creativity on display here.
Speaking of multiplayer, you can play with two players online and five in local co-op, though it is my understanding that online will expand to more characters in the future. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind shines in multiplayer, creating a chaotic but fun experience that hides the weaknesses of the game much better. Yes the level design is questionable in some areas, and can be very cheap if you are not prepared, but the multiplayer manages to make even these sections fun. And of course, the Zord sections are just so much better in multiplayer that it cannot be overstated.
As mentioned, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind looks very much like a classic brawler and you can even add CRT filters to capture the old feel. It has the right look and the music is on point as well, with some amazing tunes. The voice lines could be a bit better though, as repeated lines over and over can get annoying.
Overall, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind is a bit of a mixed bag for me. It does not hold up as well as the game it wants to be when it comes to the main beat ’em up sections, but once you get to the more unique elements it shines so brightly. It is an unbalanced time, but when you play with friends and see a game that pays respect and tribute to the best of Power Rangers, you can forgive that.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind may not be the best licensed beat ’em up, but it is one of the most creative and willing to step outside the comfort zone to truly use the license to its full potential and not just use the name to sell a brawler. I would say that Power Rangers fans should check this out, but be aware of what you are getting into. Play this in multiplayer for the best experience, and may the power protect you.
Disclaimer: A review key was provided
Reviewed on Nintendo Switch
Images were taken from Nintendo.com
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbos One and Series and PC.
