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 nostalgic references to the franchise, 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 Power Rangers: Cosmic Fury. Once and Always saw the original team reunite to thwart a robotic Rita Repulsa, a storyline that provided a rich source of Easter eggs and emotional moments for dedicated fans.

Robo Rita's return 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 Robo Rita's attempt to erase the Power Rangers from existence using a time portal provided the perfect narrative bridge for connecting various franchise elements.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind - A Nostalgic Beat-'em-Up

Digital Eclipse pitched Rita's Rewind to Hasbro, capitalizing on their interest in expanding the Power Rangers universe. Drawing inspiration from classic 2D brawlers popular during the original MMPR's peak, the game also includes numerous Easter eggs for longtime fans.

Rita's Rewind is a tribute to the Power Rangers franchise, blending classic gameplay with modern storytelling by bringing back Robo Rita. While its release is slated for later this year, fans can currently experience a Power Rangers crossover in ARK: Survival Ascended.