Power Rangers Redux: Rita's Rewind Ties to 'Once and Always' Event

The upcoming beat 'em up, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind, is packed with references to the franchise's rich history, including last year's Once and Always reunion special. The game features Robo Rita as its primary antagonist, a choice directly inspired by her time-traveling antics in the special.

Power Rangers fans have experienced a whirlwind of emotions recently, with the show's future uncertain following Once and Always and Cosmic Fury. The former saw the original team reunite to thwart a robotic Rita Repulsa's attempt to alter history. The special was filled with nostalgic moments and tributes to late actors Thuy Trang and Jason David Frank.

Robo Rita's role as the main villain in Rita's Rewind is a direct sequel to her actions in the Netflix special. Digital Eclipse's Dan Amrich explained that Once and Always, with Robo Rita's attempt to erase the Power Rangers, provided the perfect in-universe justification for connecting various franchise elements.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind – A Nostalgic Beatdown

Digital Eclipse pitched Rita's Rewind to Hasbro, capitalizing on the company's desire to expand its popular franchises. Inspiration for the game's design came from classic 2D brawlers popular during the original MMPR's run, and the developers included numerous Easter eggs for longtime fans.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind serves as a loving tribute to the franchise, blending retro gameplay with contemporary lore. While the game's release is slated for later this year, fans can currently enjoy a crossover event with ARK: Survival Ascended.