Review: Disappointment in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind

Starting up Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind instantly brings back a wave of nostalgia with those unmistakable guitar riffs from the classic theme song. As the game kicks off, you’re whisked back to the ’90s for an adventure packed with action, where the legendary team of rangers finds themselves battling through batches of putty patrollers unleashed by the infamous Rita Repulsa. Whether you’re playing solo or with friends, you’ll maneuver through a sandy valley, leap across rooftops, and then hop onto a speeder to chase down villains through a canyon in the initial levels. All of this sets the stage for what should be an epic showdown where the rangers form the Megazord. Sadly, this climactic battle feels more like a simplified, timing-focused version of Punch-Out!!, leaving us wishing for more—a disappointment that echoes throughout the game.

Now, don’t get me wrong—Rita’s Rewind isn’t a bad game, but its shining moments are nestled within its repetitive side-scrolling levels, thriving on nostalgia for old-school fans. The game’s locations and artistry beautifully capture iconic places from the series. However, there’s scant variety in gameplay; the enemies and movesets feel limited, and the speeder chases and Megazord battles lack progression. Unlike Digital Eclipse’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge from 2022, which felt vibrant and engaging, Rita’s Rewind ends up feeling slow and uninspired. Shredder’s Revenge brought a fresh take to a classic with dynamic combat and a diverse array of enemies, but unfortunately, Rita’s Rewind lacks that novelty. My expectations were high, hoping for a reinvention like Shredder’s, but instead, it felt like stepping back into the original 16-bit world. Far from a modern release in 2024, Rita’s Rewind seems more like a love letter to the past.

For those seeking a straightforward, nostalgic experience, Rita’s Rewind might just hit the spot. It’s packed with throwbacks, colorful settings, and familiar foes like Chunky Chicken and Turkey Jerk. The appeal lies in exploring the whimsically crafted environments and characters. The only real “innovation” is the Time Disruptor, found occasionally with the putties. If not destroyed before it ticks down, the timeline rewinds, forcing you to face previously defeated foes again. However, this doesn’t add much challenge; it merely extends the gameplay length. Perhaps that’s exactly what Digital Eclipse intended, as Rita’s Rewind wraps up in just over two hours, not much shorter than Shredder’s Revenge, but it feels longer due to its repetitive nature. It leans heavily on nostalgia, almost too much like its SNES predecessor, without pushing for deeper gameplay.

Released on December 10, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind is available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, and Xbox One. Our review was conducted on a Windows PC using Steam Deck, courtesy of a pre-release code from Digital Eclipse. As a note, Vox Media has affiliate partnerships, which do not influence our editorial coverage, though they might earn commissions through purchases made via affiliate links. For more insights into Polygon’s ethics policy, you can check here.