As great as the franchise’s highs are, not all the Ratchet & Clank games have been home runs since the series experienced a noticeable downturn in quality for some time. However, plenty of releases are still fondly remembered. That said, according to Metacritic, which are the best Ratchet & Clank games?
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Updated November 15, 2022 by Mark Sammut: To celebrate the franchise’s anniversary, Sony is adding five Ratchet & Clank games to PS Plus Premium. At this point, the subscription service has every console entry in the series except for Rift Apart, Size Matters, and Secret Agent Clank.
16 Before The Nexus (2013) – 54
Platform: iOS
Released prior to 2013’s Into the Nexus, the franchise’s final PS3 entry, Before the Nexus was the second time Ratchet & Clank headed to mobile. It is also worse than 2005’s Going Mobile. The main issue with Before the Nexus is that it does not do enough to capture the spirit of the console games.
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An endless runner, this game finds Ratchet chasing after Vendra and Neftin Prog. Clank also comes along for the ride but the robot does not add anything to the gameplay beyond his presence. Surprisingly, Ratchet & Clank is not a bad fit for the endless runner genre, and Before the Nexus does a decent job of incorporating mechanics synonymous with the main game. Unfortunately, the game’s controls leave a lot to be desired, particularly the shooting. The fact the license has consistently excelled in this area makes Before the Nexus an even harder pill to stomach.
15 Full Frontal Assault (2012) – 64
Platform: PlayStation 3
Although this game escaped from being included in the worst PS3 exclusives for the 2010s, it definitely qualifies as one of the most disappointing. Full Frontal Assault’s main criticism comes from the tower defense system.
Having to defend something is almost always boring, and this game brings that in excess. Another complaint from critics is the lack of a coherent story. Mostly, it just seems like a free-to-play title than a legit entry. Co-op can be fun, but the absence of depth in level design means the fun doesn’t really begin.
14 All 4 One (2011) – 70
Platform: PlayStation 3
By the time of this game’s release, the series seemed to have become more of a gimmick. In this entry, players are given four choices between characters to choose from. While this idea was new, the execution wasn’t, as critics complained it felt the same only with different playable characters.
Another common issue is the presence of multiple glitches that suck the fun out. The biggest issue, though, is the horrible AI partners, who become more of a nuisance than assistance.
13 Secret Agent Clank (2008) – 72
Platform: PlayStation Portable
Although this title isn’t exactly revolutionary, it might be one of the more underrated platformers out there. Secret Agent Clank makes Ratchet take a backseat while Clank is the playable character. Here, the espionage theme is both funny and creative.
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The downside is that Clank’s special abilities aren’t really utilized. Instead, most of Ratchet’s moves have been transferred to him. Still, the game does present a different viewpoint from the rest of the series that should be appreciated.
12 Going Mobile (2005) – 76 (GameRankings)
Platform: Mobile
Arguably the most forgotten Ratchet & Clank game, Going Mobile is not just notable for its platform but also the fact that it is the only 2D entry in the series. Insomniac’s series has developed into a third-person shooter with platforming sections, but there was a time when Ratchet & Clank was predominantly a platformer. Going Mobile belongs to the latter era, and it is a worthy addition to the franchise.
Most of the elements that defined the license’s PS2 games are represented in Going Mobile, albeit naturally streamlined to fit the hardware. Although good for its time, this spin-off can be hard to revisit in this day and age since mobile gaming has come very far since 2005.
11 Into The Nexus (2013) – 76
Platform: PlayStation 3
Insomniac Games’ series lost its way somewhat during the PS3 era, resulting in a string of disappointing games that ventured away from what made Ratchet & Clank successful. While the return to the franchise’s roots might or might not be related to that, Into the Nexus wasn’t a complete success.
Critics did compliment the graphics present here, with the game making full use of its exotic locations. However, the story has been branded as the weakest in the series, to the point where it seems completely unneeded. Although not terrible by any means, Into the Nexus does not stand out from the crowd.
10 Future: Quest For Booty (2008) – 76
Platform: PlayStation 3
Despite this not exactly being a bad game, Quest for Booty’s legacy has been blighted due to the extremely short length. This is the standard Ratchet & Clank game, only without much Clank and a campaign that ends in about three hours.
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Quest for Booty maintains a fun quick pace throughout its campaign. This allows it to keep players invested throughout, although the story ends on a cliffhanger at the worst moment. Its gameplay was also praised due to the removal of useless weapons.
9 Ratchet: Deadlocked (2005) – 81
Platform: PlayStation 2
Out of all the games in the series, this feels the most different. Filled with impressive weapons for players to try out, Deadlocked is more of a survival game than a platformer. While it’s no doubt enjoyable, the game lacks the series’ spirit.
Unlike other entries, this one has players fighting for their lives in gladiatorial arenas. It’s darker than most, but there’s no denying that every level is packed with action. Deadlocked certainly would’ve made a bigger impact had it been a standalone feature.
8 Size Matters (2007) – 85
Platform: PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2
Sometimes goofiness can be charming, with Size Matters fulfilling this aspect. The game is on the lighter side of things, featuring more of the same only on a smaller scale. A PSP title, this lower scope actually allows the game to be special.
The story, while not flashy, does highlight the protagonists’ characterizations. Boss fights require a certain sense of strategy, which makes beating the game even more rewarding. Finally, traveling to multiple worlds with distinct features bolsters the replay value.
7 Ratchet & Clank (2016) – 85
Platform: PlayStation 4
Remakes can leave something to be desired, but PS4’s Ratchet & Clank certainly makes a case in favor of their existence. A reboot and re-imagining of the first game, the original fun is faithfully brought back with gorgeous visuals and improved gunplay.
The game balances platforming, combat, and puzzle-solving well. Story-wise, the remake does not quite reach the heights of the PS2 original, but it is an acceptable rendition of this tale. Prior to Rift Apart, 2016’s Ratchet & Clank had the best gameplay in the series.
6 Future: A Crack In Time (2009) – 87
Platform: PlayStation 3
Considered by many to be the best Ratchet & Clank game on the PS3, A Crack in Time deserves all the praise it has received. With additional points given for the quality of the game’s weapons and combat, the series pulled out all the stops to make this an engaging feature.
Although it’s not the most friendly of games for new players, A Crack in Time has been noted for its ability to capture interest. Additional liberties like freely using Ratchet’s ship help in empowering the player to explore further.
5 Ratchet & Clank (2002) – 88
Platform: PlayStation 2
The original continues to have a soft spot among the fanbase. It’s aged remarkably well too, with the storyline and humor remaining just as fresh even after two decades. Critics gave it well-deserved points for its creativity, with there being nothing like it at the time of release.
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While the uneven camera and Ratchet’s unlikable personality were a bit of a hindrance, the game manages to win players over due to the number of mini-games and upbeat tone.
4 Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (2021) – 88
Platform: PlayStation 5
The most recent entry in the series, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart builds upon the rock-solid foundations of 2016’s remake. Using the PS5’s hardware to great effect, Insomniac crafted an experience that highlights the console’s graphical prowess while still delivering gameplay depth. Long-time fans will feel right at home with Rift Apart’s combat and platforming, and they can even look forward to trying out a new playable character called Rivet.
The 2010s was not an especially strong decade for Ratchet & Clank, and the franchise’s days even seemed numbered following the release of Into the Nexus. Rift Apart shows that Insomniac’s series still has plenty of life left in it.
3 Future: Tools Of Destruction (2007) – 89
Platform: PlayStation 3
Released at a time when the PS3 was a fresh new console, Future: Tools of Destruction gave the series a superb revamp. Also filled with tongue-in-cheek humor – there is even a reference to the PS3 vs. Xbox console fight – this game succeeded in launching a new era for the franchise.
Tools of Destruction’s level design and usage of Ratchet and Clank are particularly engaging. Along with that, the focus on keeping both gameplay and the plot hand in hand enabled this entry to be remembered for its well-rounded execution.
2 Going Commando (2003) – 90
Platform: PlayStation 2
Rarely does a sequel take the shortcomings of the previous game and improve upon it almost flawlessly. Going Commando, though, does just this as it features a more hard-hitting style that enlivens the campaign of the game.
The story also fixes the chinks in Ratchet’s character, making him and Clank the ideal duo fans know them to be. The explosive combat and racing scenes, in particular, have continued to be pointed out as the top feature of this sequel.
1 Up Your Arsenal (2004) – 91
Platform: PlayStation 2
Packing in features galore, the franchise’s third PS2 entry is still the best Ratchet & Clank game after all these years. Up Your Arsenal’s addition of online multiplayer made for an entirely different gameplay option, instantly adding hours more of playthrough potential.
The campaign is also quite expansive, with several levels available to upgrade and perfect one’s skills. Most of all, it is Up Your Arsenal’s highly immersive story, filled with surprisingly mature themes and gritty characters, that make this a can’t-miss release.
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