Key findings
- It’s been a long time since we’ve had a new Power Rangers game, but Rita’s Rewind changes that.
- I played through one of the game’s side-scrolling levels at Gamescom and found it to be very similar to Shredder’s Revenge – which is a very good thing.
- The full game also features unique vehicle and Megazord sections that should add a lot of variety to the beat-em-up formula.
Even though I haven’t followed the Power Rangers in a long time, they were a big part of my childhood. They’re not as memorable as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but I still had all the toys, watched every new show, and had the Wild Force theme song stuck in my head throughout my childhood.
Unsurprisingly, I’ve also played pretty much every Power Rangers game that’s come out in my life, from Dino Thunder on the PS2 to SPD and Time Force on the Game Boy Advance. As much as I loved the series and jumped at every opportunity to immerse myself in the world of spandex and weird helmets, even my underdeveloped brain knew that none of them were particularly good.
Since then, there’s really only been one decent game in the series, Battle for the Grid, which feels like a huge missed opportunity considering how well other classics of my childhood like TMNT have been adapted in recent years with games like Shredder’s Revenge. Power Rangers has been begging for the same treatment, and it looks like it’s finally got it with Rita’s Rewind, one of the best reveals of Summer Game Fest.
Rita’s Rewind is basically the Power Rangers version of Shredder’s Revenge
I’m a total fan of colorful, side-scrolling beat-em-ups, especially when they’re based on intellectual properties, so I’ve been excited about Rita’s Rewind since I first saw it. After having the chance to play through one of the game’s early levels with Digital Eclipse’s editorial director Chris Kohler, I’m very happy to report that the stage is set for the Power Ranger game we’ve all been dreaming of for decades.
My preview started with a brief overview of the game’s plot, which sees the modern Power Rangers of 2024 go through their weekly routine and face off against Rita Repulsa. In an act of desperation, Rita decides to travel back to 1993 and team up with her past self, leaving the popular Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers to defeat both versions of her.
From the moment I started playing, it was clear that Rita’s Rewind, with its side-scrolling beat-em-up levels, is heavily inspired by Shredder’s Revenge and Turtles in Time. Not only does it have the same pixel art look and chiptune soundtrack, but it also has very similar combat mechanics, including basic attacks, a launcher, a dodge button, and an ultimate move that clears the screen and recharges over time.
The enemy juggling and combo potential also reminded me of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game, which is a huge plus for the game.
A loving tribute to the Power Rangers
While Rita’s Rewind doesn’t differ much from other arcade brawlers in its gameplay mechanics, combat and movement feel accessible and satisfying. I’m not sure how much depth there will be, and hope to see more moves and abilities unlocked as the adventure progresses, but I still had a lot of fun with what I played.
As one might expect, however, it’s the Power Rangers’ veneer that shines the brightest, as it’s simply a joy to face off against classic enemies like Goldar and see each Ranger use their Power Coin to channel their respective Zords and defeat them all with ease. For a series that has been so surprisingly under-represented in the world of gaming, it’s nice to see the Rangers get the classic arcade treatment they deserve.
It was also very clear during my preview how much love and respect Digital Eclipse has for the Power Rangers. There were a lot of deep references in the level I played, from the enemy types the Rangers fought, to Mr Ticklesneezer being a collectible, to “Go-Go” appearing when a new area is unlocked. I’m very behind on my Power Rangers as it’s been a while since I’ve watched the series, but for long-time fans there’s already a lot to love.
As much as I enjoyed my short time with Rita’s Rewind, what excited me most was something I didn’t actually get to try out. While the side-scrolling beat-em-up sections seem to be the bread and butter of the entire game, Kohler explained that there’s a lot more to the game than that, as these levels are punctuated by vehicle sections and boss battles involving the Megazord.
Kohler also hinted that we would see Tommy Oliver (the Green Ranger, of course) at some point during Rita’s Rewind, which makes sense since he’s the most popular Ranger of all time.
It was a shame I didn’t get to play any of these levels myself, but from what I’ve seen so far, they seem like a great way to bring some variety to a very familiar genre. Considering how similar Rita’s Rewind feels from what I’ve played (which is absolutely a good thing), these unique levels will be key to making it stand out, and I can’t wait to try them out for myself when the game launches sometime later this year.
