The upcoming beat 'em up, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind, is packed with nods to the classic franchise, including last year's Once and Always reunion special. The game features Robo Rita as its primary antagonist. Announced at Summer Games Fest 2024, this retro-style brawler lets five players team up to battle enemies from the first three Power Rangers seasons, even incorporating 3D rail-shooter sequences. It's launching on PC and consoles later this year.
The Power Rangers franchise has seen a rollercoaster few years, with the show's future uncertain following Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once and Always and Power Rangers: Cosmic Fury. Once and Always reunited the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers to stop a robotic Rita Repulsa from altering the past. This special was filled with Easter eggs and emotional moments, culminating in a tribute to deceased actors Thuy Trang and Jason David Frank.
Robo Rita's return from Once and Always as the main villain in Rita's Rewind is no coincidence. Digital Eclipse content editor Dan Amrich explained to Time Express that Robo Rita's attempt to use a time portal in Once and Always provided a perfect in-universe connection to other franchise elements.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind - Facing Robo Rita
Digital Eclipse pitched Rita's Rewind to Hasbro, who were keen to expand their popular franchises. Inspiration for the game came from classic 2D brawlers popular during the original MMPR's run, while also including plenty of Easter eggs for longtime fans.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind is a loving tribute to the franchise, blending classic gameplay with recent lore, bringing back the formidable Robo Rita. While the game's release is slated for later this year, fans can currently experience a crossover with ARK: Survival Ascended.
