Nonetheless one of many best TV theme songs of all time.
It has been some time since we have needed to rewind a video tape earlier than returning it to Blockbuster, however Digital Eclipse is ending 2024 by bringing us again to 1993 in all its Putty-punching glory. Mighty Morphin Energy Rangers: Rita’s Rewind is a side-scrolling Brawler straight out of the ‘90s, and followers of the present and that technology of video video games ought to discover an pleasing romp. It is not and not using a few blemishes that preserve it from reaching the heights of different latest beat-’em-ups, however the gameplay selection manages to maintain issues recent sufficient to make it price summoning the Megazord yet another time.
The plot of Rita’s Rewind takes us from the current to the previous as a robotic model of the titular villainess finds a approach to open a time portal to convey herself again to the ‘90s and the start of the unique Energy Rangers’ group and story. Sure, we’re speaking Jason, Billy, Zach, Trini, and Kimberly, and you may throw in Cranium and Bulk for good measure. Your goal is to foil the plans of not one however two Ritas as they trigger havoc throughout Angel Grove. From metropolis streets, rooftops, and highways to a base on the moon, it is your job to place the “may” in Mighty Morphin.
The controls really feel fairly good as you punch, leap kick, and blast your manner throughout greater than a dozen phases. Most of those come within the type of simple side-scrollers, some play like rail shooters like Star Fox or House Harrier, and the remainder include Punch Out-like boss bouts. The brawler segments characteristic secrets and techniques to search out and fairly commonplace parts like well being restoring objects and a brilliant meter that fills up as you smash Putties, taunt, or accumulate cash (usually present in crates). The shooter phases make the most of a behind the again digicam because the Rangers zip by means of of their Zords or on bikes. The larger-than-life boss fights within the Megazord are difficult however largely play out the identical every time, which is a bit disappointing.
The Swap model has native co-op for as much as 5 gamers (six after rolling credit) with on-line multiplayer set to be added in a deliberate replace. Efficiency is strong throughout, and the enticing hand-drawn pixel artwork helps to conjure up nostalgia for once I had my very own mild up Morpher toy and Dragonzord-summoning dagger. The soundtrack is ok sufficient and employs the traditional theme an acceptable quantity. There does not appear to be a simple approach to change characters outdoors of quitting the sport and reloading your story file, which is just a little irritating.
Along with an unlockable sixth character and fourth issue mode, there are a handful of early arcade-style video games you’ll be able to entry after discovering hidden elements within the sport. These arcade cupboards are on the present’s juice bar, together with some acquainted faces you’ll be able to work together with. A pace run mode rounds out the extras on supply. There’s an odd mechanism that pushes the display screen ahead typically and might power your celebration members to fall right into a pit or miss out on collectibles, and I hope it will get addressed in a future replace.
Mighty Morphin Energy Rangers: Rita’s Rewind does an admirable job of channeling the ‘90s present and online game period. The Rangers themselves are a bit arduous to differentiate by way of how they play, which makes subsequent playthroughs a bit much less attractive, however there are stage goals to finish for these so inclined. Whereas the completely different stage varieties preserve the motion from getting stale, the Megazord segments are a little bit of a letdown by way of each gameplay and presentation. All in all, seeing one other decades-old property introduced again for one more experience that performs properly and hits these nostalgic notes is a welcome fourth quarter addition to the Swap’s steady of brawlers.
