Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita\'s Rewind Has Connection to \'Once and Always\' Special

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 players team up with the original five Power Rangers in five-player co-op. Expect hordes of enemies from the first three seasons, and even 3D rail-shooter sequences. Rita's Rewind launches on PC and consoles later this year.

The past few years have been a whirlwind for Power Rangers fans. Following Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once and Always and Power Rangers: Cosmic Fury, the show itself is currently on hiatus. Once and Always saw the original team reunite to thwart a robotic Rita Repulsa from altering the past. The special was brimming with Easter eggs and emotional moments, culminating in a tribute to Thuy Trang and Jason David Frank.

Robo Rita's return from the Netflix special, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once and Always, as the main villain in Rita's Rewind, is no accident. 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 weave elements from across the franchise.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind – Facing Robo Rita

Amrich also detailed how Digital Eclipse pitched the game to Hasbro, who were keen to expand their flagship franchises. Inspiration for Rita's Rewind drew from classic 2D brawlers popular during the MMPR era, while also ensuring plenty of Easter eggs for longtime fans.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind is a loving tribute to the franchise, from its gameplay echoing older Power Rangers titles to its storyline incorporating recent lore with the return of Robo Rita. While the game's release is slated for later this year, fans of the original series can currently enjoy a crossover in ARK: Survival Ascended.