Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind shows there’s still space for retro originality

digitaltrends.com:

Few video game genres have been as played out as the beat ‘em up, but Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind shows that the format still has juice left in it.

This style of simple action game has been around since the days when arcades dominated and remained a particularly fruitful indie game niche. Beat ‘em ups are some of my favorite games to play when it needs a quick dose of somewhat mindless gaming fun, and I’ve appreciated the recent wave of licensed beat ‘em ups that we’ve gotten for franchises like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and G.I. Joe.

Unfortunately, many beat ‘em up games lack originality and feel like they’re just replaying the greatest hits of games like Street of Rage 2 and TMNT: Turtles in Time. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised by the creativity on display as I played Rita’s Rewind. Not only does this game faithfully emulate the look and feel of classic beat ‘em ups but Digital Eclipse was willing to insert new ideas of its own into the experience.

A retro tribute

Like most licensed beat ‘em ups, Rita’s Rewind is light on plot but all-in on fan service. In this game, a robotic version of Rita Repulsa goes back in time to team up with her younger self and defeat the Power Rangers. That sets the backdrop for a series of beat ‘em up levels that span from rooftops to carnivals and more, where the Power Rangers must fight Putty Patrollers and big bads like Goldar.

• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind brings the 1990s home this December
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind will make you feel like a kid again

Growing up, I wasn’t allowed to watch Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, so my nostalgia for the series is limited. As I played, I noticed lots of little Easter eggs, character cameos, and other small touches that showed me diehard Power Rangers fans worked on this game. It’s also a love letter to 16-bit beat ‘em up games in