The 7 Best POWER RANGERS Games of All-Time

As a longtime fan of both the Power Rangers franchise and retro gaming, I can wholeheartedly say that Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid (2019) has truly captured the spirit of my childhood. Initially, it seemed like a modest attempt to cash in on nostalgia, but boy, was I proven wrong!

Since August 1993, when Mighty Morphin Power Rangers made its debut on television, these teenagers with spandex attire and an attitude to match have been powering up various video game consoles. Ranging from arcade brawlers to fighting games that foster dedicated player communities, the Power Rangers have triggered a wave of video games in their 30-plus years of protecting our world.

Unfortunately, not every Power Rangers game is worthy of respect. Much like many other kid-focused licensed video games from the ’90s and 2000s, Power Rangers games were primarily designed to drain parents’ wallets and keep kids occupied. (And they did a great job at it!) With an annual reboot, these games were hastily produced, as evidenced by their comparison to rivals like X-Men and Ninja Turtles, who rank significantly higher in the superhero gaming franchise hierarchy.

Still, Power Rangers games have their appeal. When your thumbs are itching to mindlessly pummel monsters and you’re feeling like it’s morphin’ time, reach for a Power Rangers game. In celebration of National Power Rangers Day and in anticipation of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind coming soon, let’s rank the best Power Rangers games of all time.

7. Power Rangers Super Legends (2007) on PlayStation 2

In 2002, Disney gained ownership of the Power Rangers franchise from Saban. To celebrate the franchise’s 15th anniversary, Disney launched “Power Rangers Super Legends,” a cross-media project that included special anniversary-themed toys, merchandise, and video games.

Back in the day, Behaviour Interactive, now recognized as A2M (Dead by Daylight), collaborated with Power Rangers for their sweet 15, specifically on Power Rangers Super Legends for PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS. Interestingly enough, these games aren’t carbon copies. Although they both revolve around various generations of Power Rangers uniting to thwart the vengeful Lord Zedd, each game offers a unique storyline and a distinct lineup of playable Power Rangers.

In contrast, the DS variant boasts a larger playable roster of Power Rangers, while the PS2 version offers a more immersive experience with fully-voiced cutscenes (even if they resemble comic book panels). Notably, the PS2 version features Steve Blum’s impressive portrayal of Lord Zedd. Essentially, Power Rangers Super Legends was groundbreaking because it represented a significant departure from the annual shovelware trend that had characterized previous Power Rangers games. Instead, it provided fans with a glimpse into a more expansive future for Power Rangers, setting the stage for the rich narratives found in later comics.

6. Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue (2000) on GameBoy Color

Following a trilogy of games based on Power Rangers Zeo, the gaming franchise took a break; in its place were a series of Flash games on the Fox Kids website that are no longer remembered. However, in the year 2000, the Power Rangers made a triumphant return to consoles with Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue, which was released for PlayStation, GameBoy Color, and Nintendo 64.

Among the three options, it’s worth noting that the GameBoy Color game stands out. True to its theme of emergency response for that year, Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue challenges players with completing three distinct missions in the city of Mariner Bay. These include “Rescue” missions where you save civilians from burning buildings, “Battle” missions where you return to levels to defeat waves of monsters, and the climactic “Megazord” mission featuring a showdown between the Megazord and a kaiju.

In this game, the flexible mission design grants players the liberty to choose their own paths. It’s refreshing to see a departure from the linear approach that has characterized this franchise in the past. The “Rescue” missions are particularly thrilling, as they require players to leap over fires, scale damaged ladders, and smash through walls to save people. Playing Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue makes you feel like a genuine superhero, an element that many superhero games, even major triple-A productions, tend to overlook.

5. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1994) and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) on SEGA Game Gear

1993 saw a sudden surge in popularity for the TV series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, leading to various games being developed across Nintendo and Sega systems. Among these, the two standout titles were designed for Sega’s portable device, the Game Gear. The original game, simply titled Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, follows the storyline of the show’s first season, while its sequel, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, blends elements from season two and the 1995 film’s plot. In this second game, Tommy is depicted as the White Ranger, and the final boss is Ivan Ooze.

In a unique blend of individual combat and arcade brawling games, Mighty Morphin on Game Gear allows you to manage your favorite Power Rangers, battling hordes of Putties first, followed by a showdown with Goldar or one of the weekly monsters. The main hurdle lies in the game’s survival element; players must conserve their health bar as much as possible to reach the boss fights.

In a clever manner, the game “Mighty Morphin” skillfully adapts to the constraints of the Game Gear’s minimalistic controls, primarily its mere two buttons. Similar to the classic game “Street Fighter”, players can input directional commands to execute various offensive moves such as unique weapon attacks and even wrestling throws. Believe it or not, these games offer a remarkable level of depth, making it hard to believe they were created so many years ago. With their vibrant 8-bit graphics and crisp sound effects, the “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” game on Game Gear remains a strong choice for satisfying those moments when I find myself waiting at the DMV.

4. Power Rangers: Legacy Wars (2017) on iOS, Android

With the PG-13 reboot of “Saban’s Power Rangers” hitting cinemas, Lionsgate and Saban joined the fun by releasing a companion game for mobile devices – “Power Rangers: Legacy Wars”. However, what fans didn’t anticipate was that this wasn’t just a money-grabbing cash-in; it stood out as something much more substantial.

Legacy Wars” for iOS and Android devices offers a strategic twist to one-on-one combat, replacing frantic button mashing with moves timed at specific intervals, making it more akin to chess than boxing. It’s a delightful blend of strategic planning and heart-pounding action.

One captivating aspect of the game “Legacy Wars” lies in its comprehensive coverage of the Power Rangers franchise, spanning from the initial TV series to the 2017 film and beyond. Remarkably, this game’s durability, outlasting the movie it was created to publicize, marked the first illustrious gaming collaboration between Power Rangers and Street Fighter in 2018. Even years post-release, “Power Rangers: Legacy Wars” has been downloaded more than 50 million times and boasts a diverse cast of nearly 150 characters. Quite impressive for a game tied to a movie that was ultimately a promotion for Krispy Kreme.

3. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Fighting Edition (1995) on Super Nintendo

Near the close of the Super Nintendo’s era, the tenth Power Rangers game, titled “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Fighting Edition“, was released in September 1995, and it was exclusive to the SNES system.

Stepping away from the multitude of brawlers and moving past the underwhelming Mighty Morphin Power Rangers on Sega Genesis, The Fighting Edition (TFE) stands out as an exceptional one-on-one console fighter. With stunning visuals and fluid animations, a pulse-pounding soundtrack, and effortless gameplay mechanics that are hard to resist, it’s no wonder this game has garnered a loyal following. Although it may not match the intricacy of The King of Fighters ’94, there’s no doubt a whole generation of EVO competitors probably honed their skills right here.

The disadvantage of TFT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters Edition) is its limited selection of playable characters, comprising only eight: four Megazords and four monsters such as Goldar and Lord Zedd. Whether it was the SNES’ hardware constraints or the developers’ tight schedule that led to this, TFT feels incomplete despite being a great game.

In a dream scenario, the definitive version of The Fighting Edition would have more characters. My fantasy additions: the original Dino Megazord, Dragonzord, Tigerzord (on its own), Ninjor, Ivan Ooze, and a few more monsters from all three seasons of the show. This would not only make The Fighting Edition the ultimate Mighty Morphin Power Rangers game, but the ultimate mecha-versus-monsters game of the 16-bit era.

2. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) on SEGA Genesis

1995 saw the debut of the Power Rangers on the big screen, and as expected, a variety of licensed video games followed suit. On Super Nintendo, the game titled Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie was essentially a re-skinned version of the 1994 game (a similar approach was used for GameBoy and Game Gear), but the SEGA Genesis title blazed its own trail.

With a fresh engine, you can play “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie” on Genesis, which is another game in the beat ’em up style. It boasts its own graphics (sprites), sound effects including “Hi-yah” sounds, and MIDI versions of Ron Wasserman’s famous battle tunes from the TV series as the music.

Beyond that, the game is incredibly enjoyable to play, offering a sensation reminiscent of a Power Rangers TV episode in 16-bit style. To put it mildly, it’s as if this game stands toe-to-toe with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time as a competitor for the Power Rangers franchise. In essence, there’s no other game that better embodies its era of gaming or the license it represents more than this one. If only the actual Power Ranger characters played differently…

1. Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid (2019) on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, Nintendo Switch, Stadia

When the game Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid debuted in early 2019, it was seen as an console adaptation of Power Rangers: Legacy Wars, and it barely managed to meet low anticipations. The game was lackluster with no single-player narratives, no voice acting, and a limited character roster (having just 12 characters felt scanty for a 3-versus-3 fighting game). Playing the game was akin to engaging in a Power Rangers action figure playset within a library, and major gaming publications critiqued it accordingly.

Initially, Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid seemed less than impressive. However, with persistent updates refining its gameplay and additional features, it transformed into something far superior. Key additions included a solo campaign penned by renowned comic writer Kyle Higgins, voiceovers featuring original Power Ranger actors (even Jason David Frank), and more than a dozen characters from various eras of the franchise. Not only that, but a second collaboration with Street Fighter was also introduced.

After numerous improvements over the years, “Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid” stands out as the best Power Rangers video game ever made. Surprisingly, it ranks among the most enjoyable console fighting games currently available in contemporary gaming. The game is widely accessible on almost every significant platform. Moreover, due to crossplay and rollback netcode, you can effortlessly play with friends regardless of their console choice. Its availability on Stadia even makes “Power Rangers” one of the most cross-platform compatible titles ever. Although developer nWay has been quiet about the game’s future, if it continues, its enduring popularity is evident in the vibrant community that has formed around it. Regardless of what lies ahead for “Battle for the Grid,” its dedicated fanbase will undoubtedly keep the power going.

Honorable Mention: Chroma Squad (2015), multiplatform

Worldwide, particularly outside the U.S., there’s a vast number of devoted enthusiasts for Super Sentai, the initial Japanese TV series which served as the foundation for Power Rangers.

In 2015, Behold Studios, a Brazilian studio, honored their childhood memories through the Kickstarter-backed game “Chroma Squad”, a distinctive tactical RPG boasting a stunning retro aesthetic and an undisguised affection for the tokusatsu genre. In “Chroma Squad”, players manage a fledgling television production company, creating a new Super Sentai-esque TV series. As each episode airs successfully, players accumulate funds to enhance their studio’s production capabilities. (The game offers more than that, but we’re keeping it spoiler-free here.)

Chroma Squad, with its unique twist on the classic turn-based RPG genre, a hint of playful humor reminiscent of a wink, and an unabashed affection for the campiness of Super Sentai and Power Rangers, is definitely worth considering for your game collection. Despite not being associated with Power Rangers in any official capacity due to legal reasons, the title screen carries the message: “Inspired by Saban’s Power Rangers.”

2024-08-28 17:03