Since its debut in 1993, the Power Rangers television franchise has introduced viewers to an impressive lineup of Rangers, as well as the teams’ colossal robots known as Zords. Between each Ranger’s Zords and their collective combinations, the Power Rangers weapons have played a key role in defeating whatever evil force threatened the heroes over the course of 30 seasons and four feature films.
Considering how long Power Rangers has been around, it’s important to keep the stories constantly fresh with new Zords for colorful heroes. Some Zords required a pilot, while others were completely autonomous and had multiple forms they could transform into when needed in the heat of battle. Though no one can argue the iconicity of those like the Green Ranger’s Dragonzord from the Mighty Morphin series, and the Manticore Megazord from Power Rangers Mystic Force, not every Zord, mega or otherwise, has quite hit the mark.
10
Warrior Wheel
Power Rangers Zeo
The Warrior Wheel makes its first appearance in Power Rangers Zeo Episode 7, “Scent of a Weasel.“ Trey of Triforia sent it as an autonomous backup Zord for temporary Gold Ranger, Jason Lee Scott, while Pyramidas underwent repairs. Though former Blue Ranger Billy Cranston estimates the Zord standing at 25 stories tall and weighing “about a million tons,” its actual in-universe specifications scale it at 34 meters tall and 2,500 tons, a fraction of what Billy stated. Like Pyramidas, the Warrior Wheel is summoned into battle by raising the Gold Power Staff, and like other Zords, Warrior Wheel has a base wheel form, as well as a robot mode to brawl with enemies and assist the Rangers.
Speaking frankly, the Zeo era had some lackluster Zords. The Rangers’ base Zords were essentially themed after the shape of their visors (which reflected either their morphing order or ranking within the team) but with a head and limbs. Warrior Wheel was an extension of those same creative limits, as it was basically just a wheel given the same treatment. Though Trey may have meant well in giving Jason a filler Zord, Warrior Wheel’s power level pales in comparison to Pyramidas and the other weapons. Sure, it’s technically autonomous and able to fight, but Warrior Wheel’s finishing maneuver was simply performing a lethally charged body splash into its opponent, which still relied on others to execute. Thankfully, Warrior Wheel only lasted seven episodes before Pyramidas was back in action as the Gold Ranger’s Zord.
9
Red Shogunzord
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 3 introduced fans to Shogunzords, which are essentially humanoid versions of the previous animal-based Ninjazords. Since this was during the Morphin era, the Shogunzords may have set the creative bar for Zeo to follow, since the only things indicating which Shogunzord was meant to represent which Ninjazord animal were their color and heads. Initially, the Shogunzords bore a similar origin to the Dragonzord, as they were originally meant for Lord Zedd’s evil plans. Fortunately, Billy found a way to switch their power source from Zedd to the Rangers’ Ninja coins, giving the Rangers control of the Shogunzords.
While the Shogunzords could be seen as upgrades from the Ninjazords, due to their superior power and armor, the Red Shogunzord is the least impressive of the set. Like the Ape Ninjazord, it’s supposed to be modeled after its thematic animal, but the Shogunzord’s more compact and simplistic helmet design, in comparison to that of its ninja counterpart, makes it look silly and cartoonish. Other Shogunzords had weapons like a bow and arrow, sais, and a battle staff, yet the Red Shogunzord was only given a shield. Yes, the Shogunzords’ humanoid form makes it much easier to battle opponents without weapons or the need to transform, and there’s almost always a defense-based Zord that Red was possibly filling the role of. But even if that were the case, there’s still nothing truly impressive about the Red Shogunzord.
8
Mastodon Dinozord
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
On paper, it’s hard to argue how cool the original Zords were in the Mighty Morphin era. Even if one were to compare the Mastodon Dinozord to its teammates, it wouldn’t have been a terrible Zord assignment. The Mastodon Dinozord possesses a powerful freezing gas that’s emitted from its trunk, and it serves as the Morphin team’s defensive Zord given its massive base size. When the team combined as the Megazord, it formed the arms and shield and provided cannon blasters when the Megazord went into Tank Mode.
All of that said, the Mastodon Dinozord also had some flaws that countered how cool it is. Its base freeze gas attack, while powerful, was the only thing it could do in its base form, aside from possibly ramming an opponent with its hefty tank-like size. Though a bulky design would serve its theme for an elephant-like animal, its enormous hull was carried by very short robotic limbs, giving it a comically imbalanced appearance. Further, it also possessed feet that moved as if they were walking, even though the Mastodon Dinozord was clearly rolling on wheels wherever it went. In the end, it gave the energy of a weird battle train rather than a charging beast.
7
Unicorn Thunderzord
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Unicorns are powerful, mythological beasts with a vast array of magical abilities, so when fans were provided a Thunderzord named after one, it warranted some excitement. Following Lord Zedd’s destruction of the Dinozords in Mighty Morphin Season 2, Episode 3, “The Mutiny Part III,” Zordon and Alpha-5 created the new Thunderzords. With the introduction of the new set of Zords, the Rangers and fans knew that these weapons were imbued “with unbelievable power” and would only get more powerful over time.
“Excellent, Rangers. Congratulations on an impressive new beginning. Once mastered, your Zords will reveal even greater powers.” — Zordon
The only problem was that the Unicorn Thunderzord didn’t get much more impressive. Its primary form of combat was to levitate rocks from its surrounding environment and hurl them at the Rangers’ enemies. Compared to the Triceratops’s blaster tail and horns that doubled as launch hooks, telekinesis is a great upgrade. However, it was often used more like a schoolyard scrapper desperately grasping for anything they could fight with. This is without considering its lackluster design, which didn’t actually resemble a unicorn since it lacked the key horn feature. Some fans thought the gold bump on its head was the “horn,” but that was actually the mane of the original Blue Tenma Ranger’s Heavenly Horse design from the original Gosei Sentai Dairanger series. In truth, the Unicorn Thunderzord looked more like a Pegasus-themed shoe that was solely meant to be the Thunder Megazord’s foot.
6
Thunder Loader Rescuezord
Power Rangers Turbo
During Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, the Rangers are given Turbozords, which were modeled after sportscars, SUVs, jeeps, and a weirdly chosen family van. By the 23rd episode, fans are introduced to the Phantom Ranger, who gifts the Rangers the Rescuezords after losing their previous car-zords to Divatox and General Havoc, which were mostly modeled after blue-and-gray-collar work vehicles. While others were assigned heroic cars like the Pink Turbo Ranger’s ambulance-themed Wind-Rescue Rescuezord and the Red Turbo Ranger’s fire-truck-themed Lightning Fire Tamer Rescuezord, the Green Ranger was given the Thunder Loader Rescuezord, which was a dump truck.
Admittedly, the Rescuezords weren’t very impressive, especially when compared to the overall Zord roster. Unfortunately, the Thunder Loader got the short end of the stick in both its normal and high-stance mode. In its dump truck form, Thunder Loader’s primary special attack was like something out of a cartoon, as it deployed steel balls for its enemy to slip on. Its High Stance mode was also pretty mediocre, since it was basically a green construction worker. It isn’t very high on anyone’s list of robot choices, especially when they have other options, like a firefighter or race car driver.
5
Frog Ninjazord
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
After the Rangers lost their Thunderzords at the hands of Rita Repulsa’s half-brother, Rito Revolto, the team once again needed to restore their powers and obtain replacement Zords. Zordon sends the Rangers to find the creator of the Ranger Coins, Ninjor, who bestows new Ninja Ranger coins and Ninjazords. Along with the aforementioned Red Ranger’s Ape Ninjazord, the Black Ranger was assigned the Frog Ninjazord. It had sensible abilities, like being able to leap long distances, forming the Ninja MegaFalconzord’s legs, and possessing some wild attacks. The Frog Ninjazord possessed an extendable, electrified tongue with which it would deploy mini-clones that would latch onto and shock the Rangers’ enemies.
As incredible as these powers are for any Zord to have, the Frog Ninjazord’s appearance completely undermined its formidability. Other Ninjazords took compelling forms, like an ape warrior, a wolf, and a bear, and even the Pink Ranger’s Crane Ninjazord looked like a modified war jet. Perhaps the Frog Ninjazord’s design was tactical and meant to visually disarm its enemy, but it was still simply that: a towering, visually underwhelming, robot frog.
4
Tor the Shuttlezord
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
In Mighty Morphin Season 2, Episode 25, the Rangers faced off against Four Head. The multi-faced monster was one of the strongest villains in the Power Rangers series at the time, tanking a direct shot by the Rangers’ Power Blaster and overwhelming both the Red Dragon and White Tiger Thunderzords. Noticing the extent of her power, Zordon and Alpha activated Tor the Shuttlezord to assist the Rangers. Tor was a heavily armored autonomous Zord that, as its name suggests, could transport and shield the Thunderzords. It also had energy cannons in both its shuttle and battle mode to attack with.
Though it plays a key part in forming the mighty Thunder Ultrazord, Tor isn’t much more than a robot turtle otherwise. It’s basically a shipping container in both its turtle and battle form, and a glorified charging dock for the Red Dragon Thunderzord. While its energy cannons are relatively powerful, its enemies could easily knock it onto its back in turtle form (which was the first thing Four Head did moments after Tor arrived on the battlefield). Like Warrior Wheel, its finishing blow required the assistance of the Red Dragon Thunderzord and was comically brutal, as Tor was literally dropped on top of whatever monster the Rangers were contending against.
3
Penguin Spirit
Power Rangers Jungle Fury
Power Rangers Jungle Fury introduced spirit animals as the Rangers’ power source, and the Zords became their physical manifestations. Like the original Morphin series, Jungle Fury had an appealing lineup with the likes of the Blue Jaguar, Red Tiger, and Yellow Cheetah spirits. In lieu of replacing and upgrading physical Zords, the Jungle Fury Rangers acquired additional animal spirits, such as the Red Jungle Fury Ranger gaining the Gorilla Spirit Zord in addition to his Tiger Spirit Zord, and the Blue Jaguar gaining the Bat Spirit. However, even when considering the Blue Ranger’s additional Antelope spirit, that list is brought to a record-scratching halt when the Yellow Cheetah acquires the Penguin Spirit Zord.
Ignoring the Penguin Spirit’s funky headphones and hoverboard it flew around on, there’s little firepower in its arsenal. Its only battle abilities were to ram opponents, but it needed help from the Spirit Zords and to transport the Red Gorilla Spirit Zord. As goofy as the Penguin Spirit Zord is in battle, it gets even goofier when it becomes the left foot/leg of the Jungle Master Megazord. Its cartoonish face looks like a cute penguin-themed slipper rather than an armored battle boot. Especially after giving the Yellow Jungle Ranger the Elephant Spirit and Jungle Mace, the Penguin Spirit Zord was an inexcusable misfire for the Jungle Fury series.
2
Mantis Wrecker Zord
Power Rangers Beast Morphers
Put simply, Power Rangers Beast Morphers based its Zords on both vehicles and animals. This resulted in some inspired Zord mash-ups, like jets that had scarab beetle modes and a helicopter with a jackrabbit form. While no one is judging the creative choices here, the least anyone could ask is that their Zord name aligns with the forms they take on. The Mantis Wrecker Zord had some undeniably decent abilities; as a “wrecker” vehicle, it had a crane-hook appendage used to strike and grapple enemies. When switching to its “mantis” mode, it has the ability to drain and collect Morph-X, the life energy of the Zords and many of their opponents. It could also flip and launch enemies using its front, arm-like appendages. However, Mantis Wrecker’s appearance only loosely follows either half of its name.
Its vehicle form as a boom truck is mainly a recovery and commercial vehicle and only qualifies as a “wrecker” depending on how it’s used. Looking at Mantis Wrecker’s application, it’s firmly in a gray area. The same goes for its mantis mode, which has a stronger visible resemblance to a rhino beetle, rather than a praying mantis. Its warrior mode is also relatively generic, even with its swords that can be turned into heavy cannons. Perhaps it may have been better named “Beetle Hook Zord,” but this Zord was generally unremarkable when compared to its teammates.
1
Pyramidas
Power Rangers Zeo
Along with Warrior Wheel, Pyramidas is a Triforian Zeo Zord and one of the two assigned to Power Rangers Zeo‘s Gold Ranger. More specifically, Pyramidas is Lord Trey of Triforia’s personal Zord. This Zeo Zord was immense in power and size as one of the largest mecha in Power Rangers, standing at 50 meters tall in pyramid mode and 105 meters in warrior mode. Given that it’s modeled after a pyramid, it makes sense that it’d also be incredibly durable and could carry the Zeo Zords into battle. Additionally, it possessed devastating lightning bolt and cannon blaster attacks in both its pyramid and warrior modes.
Even with its overwhelming stats, Pyramidas still had issues that counteracted them. Notably, it wasn’t very fast, despite its primary function as a Carrierzord for Lord Trey and the other Rangers. Yes, it was capable of faster-than-light speed, but that was only during interstellar travel. Otherwise, the Gold Ranger was basically piloting a colossal pyramid into the battlefield at the slow speed one would imagine it’d achieve. Although Pyramidas had a formidable warrior mode, it was also completely immobile, as it would basically become a brick with arms. A villain could potentially just run or port away either mid-morph or before Pyramidas had a chance to power up. Ultimately, Pyramidas’s imbalance of sheer power and disappointing mobility granted it the top spot as the worst Zord in the Power Rangers franchise.
