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The Ratchet & Clank series stands as one of PlayStation’s most beloved franchises, spanning 22 years of innovative action-adventure gaming across multiple console generations. With 18 games released since 2002, this Insomniac Games masterpiece has evolved from a simple platformer to a technical showcase of each new PlayStation generation.
All 18 Ratchet & Clank games should be played in release order for the best experience, starting with either the 2002 original or the 2016 reboot. The main series consists of 12 essential games that form the core story, while 6 spin-offs and collections provide additional content but aren’t required for understanding the main narrative.
This comprehensive guide covers every game in chronological order, helping new players know where to start and veteran fans track their progress through this beloved series.
The PlayStation 2 era established the core formula that would define the series for decades. These four games introduced Ratchet, the last of the Lombax race, and Clank, his robot companion, as they battled the evil Chairman Drek and his Blarg forces across the Solana Galaxy.
Ratchet & Clank (2002) revolutionized the action-platformer genre with its unique blend of platforming, shooting, and gadget-based gameplay. The game introduced the iconic weapon upgrade system, allowing players to level up their arsenal through experience points. The original established the series’ signature humor, colorful worlds, and technical innovation that would become hallmarks of every subsequent entry.
Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando (2003) refined the formula with significantly improved controls, more varied gameplay mechanics, and the introduction of armor upgrades. The game expanded the universe with new planets to explore and introduced the strafe mechanic that would become standard in future entries. Going Commando is widely regarded as a major step forward that solidified the series’ identity.
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (2004) represents the peak of the PS2 era, earning a remarkable 91% on Metacritic. This entry introduced online multiplayer, more complex puzzles, and an expanded weapon roster with creative new additions like the Plasma Coil and Disc Blade Gun. The game’s perfect balance of action, platforming, and humor makes it a fan favorite and the highest-rated game in the entire series.
Ratchet: Deadlocked (2005) took the series in a more combat-focused direction, stripping away some platforming elements in favor of intense arena combat scenarios. While divisive among some fans, Deadlocked introduced new mechanics like the ability to equip two weapons simultaneously and featured impressive set pieces that pushed the PS2 hardware to its limits. The game can be skipped for story purposes but offers excellent action gameplay.
⚠️ Important: The PS2 games are not easily accessible on modern platforms. Your best options are the Ratchet & Clank Collection on PS3 (remasters of the first three games) or PlayStation Now streaming service.
The PlayStation 3 era marked a significant technical leap for the series, with Insomniac Games leveraging the new hardware to create more expansive worlds, complex narratives, and innovative gameplay mechanics. The Future trilogy represents some of the series’ strongest storytelling and character development.
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (2007) kicked off the PS3 era with stunning visuals and a new story arc focusing on Ratchet’s search for his people. The game introduced new gameplay elements like the Omniwrench 10K and gyroscopic controls, while maintaining the series’ signature humor and action. Tools of Destruction set a new technical standard for the series with its detailed environments and improved character models.
Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty (2008) serves as a shorter bridge game between Tools of Destruction and A Crack in Time. Released at a lower price point, Quest for Booty focuses more on puzzle-solving and exploration than combat. While brief (3-4 hours), it provides important story context and introduces new mechanics like the kinetic tether and chrono-scepter that would be expanded upon in the next entry.
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time (2009) represents the pinnacle of the Future trilogy, introducing innovative time-based gameplay mechanics that allowed players to record and playback their actions to solve complex puzzles. The game features a more emotional story focused on Clank’s journey and provides satisfying conclusions to several character arcs. A Crack in Time is widely considered one of the best games in the series and a must-play for story enthusiasts.
Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus (2013) serves as the final main series entry on PlayStation 3, providing a satisfying conclusion to the Future storyline while introducing new mechanics like the jetpack and gravity boots. Though shorter than previous entries, Into the Nexus delivers focused gameplay and ties up loose ends from the Future trilogy, making it essential for series completionists.
The modern era represents a dramatic shift for the series, with a full reboot that retells the original story while leveraging the power of new hardware to deliver stunning visuals and refined gameplay mechanics.
Ratchet & Clank (2016) is a complete reimagining of the 2002 original, serving as both a reboot and a tie-in to the animated film. The game features completely rebuilt levels, expanded story elements, and refined gameplay mechanics that incorporate the best innovations from across the series. This entry is the perfect starting point for new players, offering modern accessibility while capturing the spirit of the original adventure.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (2021) represents the series’ evolution into the next generation, showcasing the PlayStation 5’s capabilities with virtually instant loading times between dimensions and stunning visual fidelity. The game introduces dimensional rifts as a core gameplay mechanic, allowing seamless transitions between entirely different worlds. Rift Apart also marks the series’ first release on PC (2023), making it accessible to a wider audience than ever before.
✅ Pro Tip: Rift Apart is an excellent entry point for new players as it doesn’t require knowledge of previous games, but contains plenty of references that longtime fans will appreciate.
While the Ratchet & Clank series can generally be enjoyed in release order, different approaches work better for different types of players. Here are the most common approaches based on your gaming preferences:
Start with the 2016 reboot to experience the story with modern graphics and gameplay mechanics, then play Rift Apart. If you want more after these two, backtrack to the PS2 trilogy via the Ratchet & Clank Collection on PS3 or PlayStation Now.
Focus on the main series games: Ratchet & Clank (2002 or 2016), Going Commando, Up Your Arsenal, Tools of Destruction, A Crack in Time, and Rift Apart. This approach gives you the complete story without optional content.
Play through all 18 games in release order, including spin-offs and collections. This approach provides the complete experience but requires significant time investment and access to multiple platforms.
Canon Games: The main story consists of 12 games: the original trilogy, the Future trilogy (Tools of Destruction, Quest for Booty, A Crack in Time, Into the Nexus), the 2016 reboot, and Rift Apart. Spin-offs like Deadlocked, Size Matters, and All 4 One are optional for story understanding.
Accessing the complete Ratchet & Clank series requires multiple platforms, but recent developments have made many games more accessible than ever before. Here’s where you can play each game currently:
| Game | Original Platform | Current Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Ratchet & Clank (2002) | PlayStation 2 | PS3 via Collection, PS Now |
| Going Commando | PlayStation 2 | PS3 via Collection, PS Now |
| Up Your Arsenal | PlayStation 2 | PS3 via Collection, PS Now |
| Deadlocked | PlayStation 2 | PS3 digital, PS Now |
| Tools of Destruction | PlayStation 3 | PS3 digital, PS Now |
| A Crack in Time | PlayStation 3 | PS3 digital, PS Now |
| Ratchet & Clank (2016) | PlayStation 4 | PS4, PS5 via backward compatibility |
| Rift Apart | PlayStation 5 | PS5, PC |
⏰ Time Saver: PlayStation Now provides access to most PS3 games in the series for a monthly subscription, making it the most cost-effective way to play the PS3-era titles.
The 18 Ratchet & Clank games in chronological order are: Ratchet & Clank (2002), Going Commando (2003), Up Your Arsenal (2004), Deadlocked (2005), Going Mobile (2005), Size Matters (2007), Tools of Destruction (2007), Secret Agent Clank (2008), Quest for Booty (2008), A Crack in Time (2009), All 4 One (2011), Ratchet & Clank Collection (2012), Full Frontal Assault (2012), Into the Nexus (2013), Before the Nexus (2013), Ratchet & Clank (2016), and Rift Apart (2021).
No, the 2016 Ratchet & Clank is a complete reimagining of the 2002 original, not a simple remaster. While it follows the same basic story, it features completely rebuilt levels, expanded narrative elements tied to the animated film, and modern gameplay mechanics refined from across the series.
Currently, only one Ratchet & Clank game is available on PS5: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (2021). However, all PS4 games including the 2016 reboot are playable on PS5 through backward compatibility with improved performance and faster loading times.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (2021) is the newest game in the series, released as a PlayStation 5 launch title and later ported to PC in 2023. It showcases next-generation capabilities with virtually instant loading between dimensions and serves as the latest entry in the main series storyline.
For the best experience, play release order starting with either the 2002 original or 2016 reboot. Story enthusiasts should focus on main series games: the original trilogy, Future trilogy, 2016 reboot, and Rift Apart. New players might prefer starting with the 2016 reboot for modern accessibility before exploring earlier entries.
The Ratchet & Clank series represents one of gaming’s most consistently excellent franchises, with two decades of innovation and entertainment. Whether you’re a newcomer discovering these adventures for the first time or a returning fan revisiting favorite memories, the series offers something special for every type of player.
For the best starting experience, I recommend beginning with the 2016 reboot to enjoy modern accessibility and refined gameplay mechanics, then exploring Rift Apart to see the series’ current technical achievements. If you want to dive deeper into the series’ rich history, the Ratchet & Clank Collection on PS3 or PlayStation Now provides excellent access to the original trilogy that started it all.
With 18 games spanning 22 years, the Ratchet & Clank series continues to showcase the best of PlayStation gaming, blending humor, heart, and technical innovation into unforgettable adventures across the galaxy.