"Good, but only if you watched the show"

I was the ultimate power ranger fan. I had all of the action figures, and I never missed an episode. When I found this game, I immediately bought it and loaded it up. I was enraptured by it, and I still put it in and get a few chuckles. However, if you never watched the show, you may or may not find it fun.

The game is a simple side scroller. However, unlike most games of this type, you cannot move up and down the street/river/ whatever you're traveling. Because of this, battles are much simpler than in most games of this type.

The enemies consist solely of the putties, or the dudes made of clay. They come in a variety of colors, and each color can do different things. Whether it's that they have more health, can jump, or have a gun, they're differentiated by color.
Your character can jump, and can attack. The sprites of the characters are very poorly done, especially Zach, who looks like a monkey in ghetto attire. The putties usually just use a knife, which they thrust forward if you stand still. In other words, just keep moving to avoid damage. However, I found it mildly amusing when you were damaged. When you are "knifed", there's a low "thud" sound, and you promptly are knocked back and lose a chunk of health.
There are also obstacles that you often have to overcome. Flying machinery, barrels that have been hurled in your general direction, and various assorted materials bar your path. In one of the levels, you have to deal with a shifting water level, making battling the knife-wielding putties difficult.

Now, each level is broken down into 2 parts. In the first half, you have your character as his or her normal self. Then, you reach an area, either the outside of a building or a different section of the dungeon, and the boss appears. The sight of him spurs you to transform into your alter ego. The boss laughs, disappears, and you continue through the level as a power ranger.

As a power ranger, you can still attack and jump, but you also have a “bomb”. You can use it once, and for 5 seconds, flashes of light kill anything that comes onto the screen. In the case of bosses, it usually halves their health. Also, by pressing up + attack, your character uses a boosted version of their attack, doing double damage (except for Kimberly, who shoots and arrow for half damage).

The bosses are simple. You hit them, the jump back, and then you corner them and wail upon them until they die. Of course, a couple of the bosses teleport after every hit, and you have to chase them around and around.

There are a total of 5 levels. If you remember the show at all, you'll notice that each levels boss was in a show where a specific character handled him, so there are actually certain power rangers who the gamers intended for you to use.

Now, after these 5 levels, you gain control of the MEGAZORD, and you kill 2 giant monsters. After that, the game ends and you get to watch monkey boy try his skills at break dancing.

Again, if you're a power ranger fan, this game is definitely for you, but if not, try something else. I doubt you'll enjoy it unless you went through all the drama of the series.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10 | Originally Posted: 02/24/04, Updated 06/08/04

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