Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue N64

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I might be one of these people who thought Power Rangers were awesome back in its heyday, but all I can remember from the show is the PSAs, the first episode of the franchise sold into retail, the toys I used to have {The Zeo Megazord is the closest thing I can remember}, and a VHS copy of the first two episodes of the first Power Rangers spin-off that has anything to do with Mighty Morphin’ and beyond: Lightspeed Rescue.

I’m also one of these people who just watched it for the fights and Megazords. Sure, images of the morphing, Alpha 5, Rita, and even Zordon linger in my mind, but what I remember most about the show is violence; sweet, wonderful, bad-influencing violence.

Power's on its way? I don't think so.

Today’s subject is a weak attempt to recreate the fights as seen on the show. It’s a video game adaptation to Power Rangers: Lightspeed Rescue. Sometime during the year 2000, THQ released a video game based on the characters. The PlayStation and Nintendo 64 versions just focused on what made Power Rangers great to begin with: fighting, Megazords, and sweet colorful costumes, the Game Boy Color one was the same thing, but in 2D, and the PC version however is the equivalent of jingling your keys to a baby’s face. It’s just a click-anything-you-can-see activity center focused in the underwater base known as the Lightspeed Aquabase.

It would be fun to a kid about 3 to 7, but for an older kid, unless he’s got nothing to do, it’s boring! But that doesn’t mean the one I’m reviewing isn’t going to be better. I am reviewing the N64 version of the Power Rangers: Lightspeed Rescue video game. Now recently, I’ve been trying to get back to the Power Rangers in honor of the new series that’s coming to Nickelodeon next year {as well as the first series made by Saban for a while} by watching the episodes of Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. And to be fair, this spin-off does have some similarities from the original. So, let’s not waste any time to see if this game is from Diabolico.

STORY:

The story is divided into 3 episodes. Each of them focusing on a new monster Diabolico unleashes. The main storyline is that the Rangers must get all the Titanium Power Coins before Diabolico can get to them first. The villains Jinxer made {although he’s not into the game, I would tell you who is responsible for them instead of telling you that Diabolico just picked up from Limbo} are Whirlin, known as Typhonus in this game, and Magmavore, who is known as Lavaca, as well as two new demons: Lectron, a monster made out of Ooze, and Trembler, a monster made out boulders. In turn, they turn into a hybrid monster by the end of the game known as the Lectronic Trembler.

The main plot point is that the Power Rangers need to find 3 Titanium Coins scattered around Titan City {or Marnier City, for those who actually respect the show} to enhance the Lightspeed Megazord, which is like glitter from my perspective.

What would Linkara say?!

The cutscenes in-between levels aren’t animated, but in a comic book form that is no doubt created by an elementary school student with Microsoft Paint. And if you’re probably wondering if Vypra is in this game, well, she is not. Either is Jinxer, Loxi, or even Queen Bansheera! My conclusion is that developer didn’t know the back-story of the series so well and just watched some episodes from the show.

The story is little subpar, but it requires more research in order to make it a true Power Rangers experience!

GAMEPLAY:
The levels are in 4 different settings. Each varying from their suckitude to their appeal. The first is what you see almost every level: the walking levels. You play as a Power Ranger {They don’t give you what color, they just slap a color on them before you start playing it} and run around rescuing people, shooting lasers at the Batlings {Some are neutral, some shoot back, and some look like bees}, and getting stuff until the number of things you’re supposed to get reaches to zero. The characters are blocky; the design of the levels can get annoying quickly, and if you enjoy repetitive music and soundclips, well, you would enjoy these in the game.

Next up is the driving levels. You just spend your free time rescuing cars or avoiding ships that shoot lasers too. These levels also have time limits and it can very hard steering the car, either bumping into other cars {including the ones you’re supposed to rescue} or avoiding the lasers. You have a laser gun for defense against the ships and to put out the flaming cars, but it wouldn’t help since you got a time limit and the fact the road is like an ice rink! Oh, and you’ll be seeing those a lot too…whoop-dee-turbo-doo.

It's the only thing I can find for the
flying levels. It's bad that game can't
include the more fun things.

Then, there’s the most fun part of the game {why I’m not saying the Megazord levels, I’ll get to in a moment}, the flying levels! You just fly around the city, getting boxes or Rangers and avoiding ships. Although the controls to get the boxes once you find them are tenacious, this is the only vehicle level that’s in 3D! The driving ones are just in a 2D surrounding, but you can move around the city with the greatest of ease with the ability to go UP! UP UNTIL THE GAME LIMITS YOUR FLIGHT! Or when the time reaches to zero, whatever works.

Finally, there are the Megazord levels. They may be part of the multiplayer as well {In fact, the only part.}, but that doesn’t excuse the battles end quickly. It’s the same setup: you battle a monster until their health goes down, but all you have to do is shoot him multiple times and it’ll do down. And you can’t dodge while you’re doing that; the opponent’s health will slowly go back up as well as yours if it attacks you as well. I know this game is for kids, but look at the other demographics; older people watch Power Rangers and play Nintendo 64 as well! You need to respect all of your fans in order to get a better gaming experience as if you were a Power Ranger yourself! When you do a game based on the next Power Rangers series, I expect progress and effort! Simple-minded time-wasters like these do not make a good game! OK, Tetris and Pong are bad examples for this, but at least they came out when gaming was still in its youth!

But if you do make a game like that, put in the digital Market and lower the price a bit! This is the 21st Century, people! You need to start living with the times! Either way, most of these levels are boring, annoying, and NEEDS MORE EFFORT!

Oh, I almost forgot. When you press Z on selecting a walking or flying level, you get a secret bonus level! It’s not any different as the things are swapped to different locations and there might be different things as well.

OTHER STUFF {REPLAY, GRAHPICS, AND MORE}:
Everything else in the game isn’t anything to expect either. They’re blocky, low-res, and irradiating to play through. I know I’m lashing out on an N64 game, but let me do a little bit of comparing…with one of Nintendo 64’s greatest games!

Super Mario 64 has huge levels for the player to explore. Lightspeed Rescue has invisible walls at the most inappropriate places!

Super Mario 64 has tons of enemies to fight. Lightspeed Rescue just has Batlings with different colors!

Super Mario 64 has replay value! Lightspeed Rescue just has a Multiplayer mode afterwards.

Super Mario 64 is beautiful to look at. Lightspeed Rescue’s graphics make Adventure on the Atari look like a masterpiece…A BETTER MASTERPIECE!

Super Mario 64 has annoying sound clips. Lightspeed Rescue has the same thing, but repetitive!

Super Mario 64 brushes and flosses regularly. Lightspeed Rescue had to be reminded to brush his teeth…but NEVER DOES!

In conclusion, which son would you sacrifice to the devil?

FINAL VERDICT:

If Saban was playing this, I'm guessing
their reaction for this was beyond low
expectations.

We need Lightspeed Rescue to rescue us from this game! This game isn’t anything an older fan would appreciate. The story’s stiff, the graphics are no good, and it’s just too short. I know I’m bashing on a kids’ game, but don’t forget, during the time, fans of the original series were 7 years older. They are more experienced, more observant, and more opinion-based.

Now, my hope is that the new series will be as respected as the spin-offs, but if you pull any crap like giant pizzas, cars, or Ninja Turtles, consider yourself a powerful enemy! And if you release a game similar to the garbage I suffered, IT’S MORPHING TIME!

RATING:
*1/2

OK, for those of you who are wondering, yes! The Titanium Ranger and Megazord appear in the game, but they’re not too different than the others. Besides, to get the Ranger, you must save the game after completing it, restart, start a new game, and you play as him! Nice effort, but not if he’s useless as the rest of the game!

But...since all of you are going to be angry that Power Rangers has spwaned this, let me give you a relief. Go on www.powerrangers.com/episodes! You'll find a new episode from Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers every since day. It's important that you must watch some of your favorites because they're only here for 24 hours. So, go on this site now and prepare to step back into the Morphing Grid!

The power lives on...for better or worse.