Some things just go together perfectly—peanut butter and chocolate, movie theaters and popcorn, the Cleveland Browns and disappointment. By all logic, Power Rangers and a mid-’90s arcade beat ‘em up should have been one of those pairings. It feels like something that should have always existed, like it was destined to be. But for some reason, it never happened. Sure, there were a few SNES and Genesis side-scrollers back in the day, but like most home console beat ‘em ups at the time, they were held back by hardware limitations. We never got that perfect four-to-six player arcade experience, or even a game designed to feel like it belonged in a neon-lit cabinet.
At least, not until now. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind finally delivers the Turtles in Time/X-Men/The Simpsons-style Power Rangers brawler that fans have been dreaming about for decades. While a couple of underwhelming gimmick sections keep it from joining the all-time greats of the genre, it’s still a fantastic beat ‘em up that’ll have you suiting up and jumping into battle like it’s 1993 all over again.
https://youtu.be/aiMsGjwSac4?si=CkXVMsru3S_t9jI9
Time Travel Shenanigans
If you’re someone who loves classic arcade brawlers but never really followed Power Rangers, don’t worry—you don’t need to be a lore expert to enjoy Rita’s Rewind. The setup is simple but effective: in the distant future (aka 2023), Robo Rita hatches a plan to travel back in time and team up with her younger self, Rita Repulsa, to finally defeat the Power Rangers. The current Ranger team can’t stop her, so it’s up to the original 1993 lineup to step up and set things right.
That premise not only makes for a fun time-travel romp, but also allows for some entertaining character interactions—like the two Ritas bickering despite being on the same side. It also creates an excuse for enemy encounters that don’t necessarily make logical sense but perfectly fit the over-the-top, arcade-style action. The whole thing feels like it was plucked straight from a ‘90s arcade machine, complete with a CRT filter, an outstanding guitar-heavy soundtrack, and stunning pixel art that could stand alongside the best in the genre. Games like Turtles in Time and X-Men worked because they nailed a vibe more than anything, and Rita’s Rewind absolutely gets that. You’re not here for deep storytelling—you’re here to punch Putties in the face as a Power Ranger.
Classic Beat ‘Em Up Action
At its core, Rita’s Rewind sticks to the tried-and-true formula of modern retro-style beat ‘em ups. The combat is straightforward: a basic attack combo, a throw for when enemies get too close, a double jump, rising and falling attacks, a running kick, a dodge, and a screen-clearing super move when your meter is full. If you’re looking for deep combat mechanics like Streets of Rage 4, you won’t find them here—but that’s not really the point.
What Rita’s Rewind does have is a tightly designed, three-hour-long brawler built on the fundamentals that make the genre so much fun. The Power Rangers themselves—Red, Blue, Yellow, Black, and Pink—all function pretty similarly, but the enemies are engaging, the environments are varied (ranging from a theme park to a toxic waste dump), and the bosses are a blast. Standouts include an excellent fight against Bones and a hilarious showdown with Chunky Chicken.
Of course, like any great beat ‘em up, it’s even better with friends. At launch, up to six players can team up locally (except on PlayStation, which currently caps it at four, though a patch is in the works to bring it up to six). Online co-op is planned as a free post-release update, but when it arrives, it will be limited to two players.
Super Scaler Segments: A Mixed Bag
Rita’s Rewind doesn’t just stick to punching and kicking, though. One of its biggest features is its Super Scaler levels, which drop you into Megazord cockpits, motorcycle chases, or individual Zord sequences. These sections take inspiration from arcade classics like Space Harrier, with players zooming toward the screen in a pseudo-3D environment while dodging obstacles and blasting enemies.
When they work, they’re awesome. The motorcycle sequences, in particular, are a ton of fun as you plow through waves of Putties and collect power-ups like missiles and the Double Shot. The Dinozord segments, however, can be frustrating, largely due to some brutal difficulty spikes. Taking a single bad hit or missing a jump can cost a precious life, and with so much happening on-screen, dodging everything can feel impossible at times. More than once, my co-op partner and I burned through all our continues in these sections alone.
Then there are the Megazord battles, which serve as the final phase of certain boss fights. You take control of the Megazord in a first-person perspective, dodging enemy attacks and charging up your Power Sword for the final blow. It’s a cool concept, but it can get frustrating when bosses constantly jump away, forcing you to chase them down while trying not to get hit. In co-op, taking too much damage even forces a player switch, which can be disorienting. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it does feel like these fights could have been a little more polished.
More Than Just a Brawler
While the Super Scaler levels can be hit or miss, Rita’s Rewind shines when it plays around with fresh ideas. The time-travel mechanics, for example, introduce an interesting twist: certain enemies carry tanks filled with time crystals, and attacking them causes time to rewind, resetting your position and your super bar. This creates some fun tactical opportunities—like unleashing a super move, triggering a rewind, and doing it all over again until the crystal is destroyed.
Between missions, players can also visit the Juice Bar, where you can chat with Bulk and Skull, check in with Ernie, and even play fully functional in-universe arcade games. These aren’t just throwaway mini-games—they’re actually well-designed homages to classic arcade titles. Karate Chopshop mimics Mortal Kombat’s Test Your Might, Drive Bomber plays like a destructive racing game, and Nanopilot is basically Asteroids with a Power Rangers twist. Each game starts out broken, but by finding missing parts during levels, you can restore them to working order. My co-op partner and I spent way more time playing these than we expected—they’re genuinely a blast.
The only minor gripe here is that you can’t swap Rangers between missions at the Juice Bar. Instead, you have to exit all the way back to the main menu, which is a bit of a hassle, especially since there’s no way to switch characters after using a continue.
Plenty of Replay Value
Even after rolling credits, Rita’s Rewind has plenty to keep players coming back. Beating the campaign unlocks the Green Ranger, opening up that sixth co-op slot. There are high scores to chase, collectibles to find, S-ranks to achieve, tougher difficulties to conquer, and even a speedrun mode. For beat ‘em up fans, this one has serious staying power.
Final Verdict
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind absolutely nails the look and feel of both classic arcade beat ‘em ups and the Power Rangers universe. While the Super Scaler segments can be uneven, they’re still fun when they work—and everything else is just fantastic. The gorgeous sprite work, adrenaline-pumping soundtrack, rock-solid combat, and charming in-jokes make this one of the best Power Rangers games ever made. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just someone who loves a good brawler, this is a trip through time worth taking. Just don’t forget your spandex.
