Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Fighting Edition delivers a surprisingly deep combat system for a licensed title, letting you choose between eight distinct characters: four of the iconic Zords (Thunder Megazord, Mega Tigerzord, Ninja Megazord, Shogun Megazord) and four of the series’ most memorable villains (Lipsyncher, Silver Horns, Goldar, Lord Zedd). Each fighter handles uniquely—Zords emphasize sweeping melee combos and powerful finishes, while villains rely on trickier projectiles and faster, more frantic attacks. This variety keeps matches feeling fresh, whether you’re dueling a friend in Fighting Mode or pushing through the gauntlet in Trial Mode.

Game modes cover all the bases. Story Mode immerses you in a one-player campaign where you battle through all four Zords or villains before facing Ivan Ooze himself. In Fighting Mode, you can jump into local head-to-head matches with any unlocked combatant, perfect for quick pick-up-and-play sessions. Trial Mode delivers an endurance challenge, forcing you to string together as many wins as possible on a single health bar, offering a satisfying test of your mastery over combos and resource management.

The Power Bar mechanic underpins every match. It fills automatically over time and grants access to devastating Super Moves when flashing, or even stronger power-up versions once maxed out. Timing your Supers just right can swing momentum in your favor, while judicious use in Trial Mode becomes essential if you hope to keep your health intact across multiple fights. Overall, the controls are responsive, and the special-move animations feel weighty and impactful, delivering an arcade-style thrill that fits the series’ explosive action.

Graphics

Visually, The Fighting Edition captures the essence of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series through detailed sprite work and vibrant color palettes. Each Zord and villain is instantly recognizable, sporting accurate costume details and signature poses. Backgrounds range from Angel Grove city streets to the rocky landscapes of Skull Cavern, each stage offering subtle animations—glowing city lights, drifting clouds, or flickering energy—that bring environments to life without distracting from the fight.

Character animations stand out in particular. Combos flow smoothly from light jabs to heavier attacks, with each hit delivering satisfying visual feedback through screen shakes and hit sparks. Super Moves are accompanied by larger-than-life effects—ranging from energy blasts to lightning strikes—that fill the screen and underscore their destructive potential. Even on the Super Nintendo’s limited palette, developers squeeze out impressive detail, ensuring both Zords and villains look imposing in every frame.

While the game doesn’t push the console to its absolute limits, it strikes an excellent balance between performance and presentation. Frame rates remain consistent, even when multiple effects are on-screen during intense exchanges. Character portraits for command lists are crisp, and menus are clear and intuitive, allowing players to focus on the action rather than wrestling with poorly designed interfaces. Overall, the graphical package succeeds in evoking both nostalgia for longtime fans and excitement for newcomers.

Story

The Fighting Edition’s Story Mode loosely follows the progression of the television series’ major battles, pitting you first against the four villainous Zords before escalating to the full roster of monsters. Choosing between Thunder Megazord and Mega Tigerzord alters a few cutscenes and boss encounters, but the core objective remains constant: defeat Lord Zedd’s forces, then clash with Ivan Ooze in a final, dramatic showdown. While narrative depth is minimal—after all, it’s a fighting game—the selection of opponents and the climactic boss battles provide enough context for fans to feel invested.

Cutscenes use still images and brief text captions to advance the plot between fights, showcasing key moments like the Rangers’ transformation sequences or Ivan Ooze’s menacing declarations. These transitions are stylized and true to the show’s tone, with on-screen portraits that highlight each character’s personality. Though simple, this approach keeps the pace brisk, ensuring you’re always just one battle away from the next major confrontation.

For dedicated story fans, the limited narrative might feel shallow, but the inclusion of both Ranger and villain perspectives adds replay value. Playing through as Goldar or Lord Zedd offers a different combat style and slightly altered boss matchups, giving a fresh spin on the same overarching storyline. This dual viewpoint, combined with character-specific endings, rewards completionists and encourages multiple playthroughs to fully experience all the variations.

Overall Experience

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Fighting Edition stands out as a surprisingly robust licensed fighter on the SNES. Its balance of accessible controls, varied roster, and multiple modes makes it an appealing choice for both casual players and genre enthusiasts. The ability to play as your favorite Zords or iconic villains, coupled with a Power Bar that introduces tactical depth, ensures matches remain engaging from the first clash to the final boss fight.

While it doesn’t boast the sheer complexity of contemporary arcade fighters, The Fighting Edition nails the essentials: responsive input, clear visual feedback, and a satisfying power-up system. Local two-player battles offer energetic showdowns, while the single-player Story and Trial Modes provide plenty of content to keep solo warriors busy. For fans of the series, the faithful presentation and nostalgic soundtrack snippets add an extra layer of immersion.

Ultimately, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Fighting Edition delivers a fun, polished package that pays homage to its source material without feeling like a throwaway tie-in. Whether you’re reliving childhood memories or discovering Angel Grove’s heroes and villains for the first time, this title offers a solid fighting game experience that punches well above its weight. If you’re seeking a retro brawler with recognizable characters and straightforward, addictive gameplay loops, this game is well worth adding to your collection.

Retro Replay Score

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