Power Rangers defined a generation of kids in the 90s and spawned dozens of spinoffs. This franchise existed way before 1993 in the West though as Super Sentai began in 1975 in Japan. There was a new series nearly every year or two and it unbelievably took that long to get an official Western release albeit in a reformed state.
Best Power Rangers Series, Ranked
From the Mighty Morphin to Ninjas and Samurai, the best Power Rangers seasons offer great mecha action and awesome characters,
As was the case with many 90s shows aimed at kids, live-action or otherwise, there were tie-in games to the various Power Rangers seasons and movies over the years. There were some exclusives in Japan as well. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind was recently announced, so in honor of that let’s rewind time ourselves to check out some Power Rangers history through video games.
6 Super Tokusatsu Taisen 2001
A Tactical Homage To Tokusatsu
- Platform: PS1
- Released: September 6, 2001 (Japan)
- Publisher: Banpresto
Super Tokusatsu Taisen 2001 is not a strictly Power Rangers-focused game. Instead, it is a celebration of Tokusatsu which is a Japanese term referring to a lot of live-action shows like Power Rangers. Kamen Rider is another example, but that franchise is not as familiar to Westerners.
Super Tokusatsu Taisen 2001 is a lot like Super Robot Taisen which is a tactical RPG that crosses over mech-based video games and anime. Super Tokusatsu Taisen 2001 crosses over characters from various Kamen Rider and Power Rangers seasons along with other Tokusatsu. It’s a fan letter in the form of a tactical RPG which is rad. It’s a shame this PS1 hidden gem never got an official or fan translation into English but it is simple enough to figure out the menus.
5 Genseishin Justirisers
An Enjoyable Super Samurai Brawler With Great Art
- Platform: GBA
- Released: December 23rd, 2004 (Japan)
- Publisher: Konami
Genseishin Justirisers is a season of Power Rangers that was never translated into an English season. It’s based on samurai like Power Rangers Ninja Storm or Power Rangers Samurai which fans may be more familiar with. History aside, this GBA game also wasn’t released in the West but it’s another one that is easy to understand like Super Tokusatsu Taisen 2001.
Power Rangers: 14 Best Red Rangers, Ranked
Many have stepped into the Red Ranger's suit over the years, but these heroes fulfilled the role to the utmost.
The levels are relatively short, the action is solid, and players can initially choose between the Red, Blue, or Black Rangers. Each one can punch enemies or they can use their weapons. Black, for example, has a gun which is useful to stay away from enemies. The boss battles featuring the Megazord mech and the Kaiju monsters aren’t as inspired as the ground-level gameplay but overall it is an enjoyable brawler.
4 Power Rangers: Battle For The Grid
A Fighting Game For Fans
Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid
- Released
- March 26, 2019
- Developer(s)
- nWay
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC
Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid is cool from a pitch level alone because it is essentially a sequel to the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers season. In an alternate universe, Tommy kills Rita and most of the Power Rangers and forms a new band to wreak hell on Earth. He calls himself Lord Drakkon and Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid begins with his invasion of the original season’s world.
It’s a three-v-three fighting game similar to the Marvel Vs Capcom series complete with character assists. The core game was released without many characters, which didn’t help it review highly on Metacritic. However, as seasons went on, more characters and content were added, making a more full fan service experience. Players could even be Ryu or Chun-Li from the Street Fighter series which was weird but also fitting.
3 Choujin Sentai Jetman
A Mega Man Styled Sentai Adventure
- Platform: NES
- Released: December 21, 1991 (Japan)
- Publisher: Angel
Choujin Sentai Jetman is the 15th season of the show wherein all of the character costumes are based on birds. It was never made into a Western season either. The game, of the same name, is another Japanese-only title, this time on NES, but this hidden gem has an English translation from the fans. It’s not needed though because there isn’t much of a story.
Players could inhabit the roles of all five members of the team. Two had swords, two had guns, and one used their fists. Levels could be completed in any order, like a Mega Man game, and the boss battle brought out the Megazord to finish the fight. These encounters were clunkier but there was a bit of strategy that helped them feel more engaging with blocking and countering. The music and pixel art are what truly help this game stand out though.
2 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
An All-Time Classic That Fires On All Levels
- Platform: SNES
- Released: November 23, 1994
- Publisher: Bandai
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is a SNES game based on the original season. Players can be any of the five Power Rangers, like Trini or Billy, and most levels begin with the heroes in their street clothes. Characters transform automatically into their Power Rangers forms about halfway through a stage and boss battles are mostly fought on foot except for big climactic moments with the true Megazord.
Power Rangers: 18 Best Villains In The Entire Franchise, Ranked
There have been many fantastic villains throughout the Power Rangers franchise, but these baddies are a step above the rest.
The game was made by Natsume who was like the WayForward of their time. They made reliable tie-in games based on other licenses. The art was always on par with the best out there along with their music. The same is true for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers on the SNES. There were other entries based on the license on systems like the Sega Genesis or the Game Boy, but they were different interpretations of the original season. None of them hold a candle to this SNES classic.
1 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie
As Good As Its Predecessor But With Co-Op
- Platform: SNES
- Released: June 23, 1995
- Publisher: Bandai
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie is also best experienced on the SNES and it was also made by Natsume. Both games are interchangeable in terms of where they rank as they each have strengths and weaknesses. For example, one of the best things about a classic brawler is co-op which Mighty Morphin Power Rangers lacked. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie had two-player local co-op though which was necessary as the game was a lot harder.
For some, that extra challenge was a plus to put their skills to the test. Another plus was that players could transform anytime once they filled their meter up and all other chargers after that were character-specific attacks. The roster offered some returning heroes like Billy but some new ones from the movie and second season too like Adam who replaced Zach. Adam was portrayed in real life by Johnny Yong Bosch who anime fans may recognize as Ichigo from Bleach or Vash from Trigun among many other roles.
Jason David Frank's Power Rangers Forms, Ranked
Jason David Frank was a central figure in the Power Ranger franchise. These are some of his best Power Ranger forms, ranked.