Ratchet & Clank is a series of action-adventure platform and third-person shooter video games created by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment as an important title for Sony's PS2. High Impact Games developed two games for the PlayStation Portable, and other studios worked on updated versions and different versions of the games. The series was only available on PlayStation consoles until 2023, when Rift Apart was released for Windows computers. An animated movie based on the series came out in 2016 along with a new version of the original game for the PS4. Five years later, Rift Apart was released for the PS5 as the most recent game in the series.
The games take place in a science fiction world and follow the adventures of Ratchet and Clank—a cat-like humanoid mechanic from the Lombax race and a small, thinking Zoni robot that was considered defective—as they travel across the universe to stop dangerous enemies. The series is known for featuring many unusual, unique, and exciting weapons and tools, a concept that Insomniac Games has used in their other games.
History
After completing Spyro: Year of the Dragon, the third game in the Spyro series, Insomniac Games wanted to create a new game idea because the Spyro series belonged to Universal Interactive Studios. With the PlayStation 2 (PS2) announced in 2000, Insomniac began designing ideas for games on this new console. One idea, called Monster Knight, was never developed further. Another idea, called Girl with a Stick, aimed to combine elements from The Legend of Zelda and Tomb Raider series. However, after about six months of work, the game was canceled by Insomniac’s CEO, Ted Price, who said the team was not excited about the project.
In 2001, Chief Creative Officer Brian Hastings suggested creating a character who travels between planets, collects weapons, and uses gadgets. This idea was inspired by characters from Calvin and Hobbes and Mad Magazine. The team liked the idea because it allowed them to create new worlds and characters. Artists first designed the character as a reptile but later changed it to a new species they called “Lombax,” a name chosen by Ted Price. The character was named Ratchet, and he was given a robotic companion named Clank. Clank was originally designed to be similar to the Star Wars character C-3PO but later changed to be Ratchet’s equal, like partners in a buddy cop movie.
The first Ratchet & Clank game was released in 2002 and was successful. For the second game, the team changed Ratchet’s character because the first game made him seem unkind. They hired James Arnold Taylor to voice Ratchet, making him more relatable. The team also focused on creating more interesting weapons to improve the game’s combat. The sequel, Going Commando, and the following game, Up Your Arsenal, were well-received and considered commercial successes. Brian Allgeier said the games succeeded because the team kept changing the series to match trends in video games, where mascot-driven games were less popular. The team adopted an “adapt or die” approach, meaning they changed the series to stay relevant.
This approach was used for the fourth game, Ratchet: Deadlocked (2005), which became darker and more combat-focused, influenced by popular games like Halo and Grand Theft Auto. While the game was well-received, some players disliked it because it moved away from the buddy cop style, had less exploration, and less humor. Balancing the original style of Ratchet & Clank with the need to adapt remained a challenge for Insomniac.
In 2006, Insomniac helped create Resistance: Fall of Man, a launch title for the PlayStation 3. This game allowed the team to learn how to use the PS3’s hardware. After completing this project, Insomniac planned the fifth Ratchet & Clank game, aiming to make it feel like an animated movie. At this time, writer TJ Fixman joined the team to improve the series’ story and characters. This led to the Future games, starting with Tools of Destruction (2007), which returned to the style players loved and received praise. However, the game ended with a cliffhanger, and a planned co-operative mode was removed. To avoid delays, Insomniac created Quest for Booty (2008), a shorter game with new gameplay elements like conversation trees. This helped the team plan the next game, A Crack in Time (2009), which was designed to include all the elements players wanted.
A Crack in Time was successful, but Insomniac had grown tired of the series. Sony wanted the series to continue, but the developers were concerned about the rise of mobile gaming, which was taking players away from family-friendly games. Insomniac tried new ideas, such as All 4 One (2011), a co-operative shooter with less platforming, and Full Frontal Assault (2012), which added tower defense elements. Finally, Into the Nexus (2013) returned to the core elements of the series but was shorter. Sony and Insomniac agreed to pause the series at this time.
In 2016, Sony planned a film adaptation of the first Ratchet & Clank game. The movie’s story differed from the game, so Insomniac created a remake of the first game to match the film’s changes.
Two spin-off games, Size Matters (2007) and Secret Agent Clank (2008), were developed by High Impact Games for the PSP.
The next game, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (2021), was announced at the 2020 PS5 Future of Gaming event on June 11, 2020. Initially exclusive to PlayStation 5, it was later released on Windows on July 26, 2023.
Games
Ratchet & Clank was released on November 4, 2002, in North America for the PlayStation 2. In the game, Chairman Drek plans to take parts from other planets in the Solana Galaxy to build a new planet for his people, the Blarg, whose planet has become polluted and overpopulated, making it unsuitable for living. In addition to the two main characters, the game introduces Captain Qwark, who appears in later games as both an enemy and a helper.
The game added features such as the ability to buy items, weapons, and unlock gadgets as the story progresses. These features became common in later games in the series. The first game in the series does not include a system where players earn experience points by killing enemies. Instead, players can purchase stronger, gold-colored versions of certain weapons using a combination of hidden Gold Bolt items and regular bolts after discovering secret areas in the game.
Going Commando (also called Locked and Loaded in Europe and Australia and Ratchet & Clank 2 in Japan) was released on November 11, 2003, in North America for the PlayStation 2.
Mr. Abercrombie Fizzwidget, CEO of the Megacorp company in the Bogon Galaxy, hires Ratchet after the events of the first game. He provides Ratchet with commando training to retrieve the "Experiment," an artificial creature stolen by an unknown masked thief. Clank is given a job as an accountant for Megacorp.
The game takes place in the Bogon Galaxy, a different setting than the first game. In Going Commando, Ratchet can compete in hoverbike races and fight in spaceship battles. This game introduces a leveling system for weapons, which appears in all later games. Using a weapon frequently and gaining enough experience causes it to become more powerful with improved stats and new abilities. Other changes include a system where Ratchet’s health improves based on experience, as well as the ability to move sideways for better accuracy during combat.
Up Your Arsenal (also called Ratchet & Clank 3 in Europe and Japan and Ratchet & Clank 3: Up Your Arsenal in Australia) was released on November 3, 2004, in North America for the PlayStation 2. The story involves an invasion of the Solana Galaxy by a race of humanoid beings called the Tyhrranoids, led by Dr. Nefarious, a robotic villain determined to destroy all life in the galaxy. The game brings back Ratchet and Clank and introduces new allies, including Sasha Phyronix, captain of the Starship Phoenix, which serves as a central area for players. Captain Qwark returns and can be played as a character in "Vid Comics" throughout the single-player campaign.
The third game keeps the experience and upgrade systems from the previous game, allowing weapons to become more powerful with continued use. Combat and platforming mechanics remain similar, and the weapon purchase system stays the same, with bolts continuing as the main currency. The game retains the series’ signature weapons dealer, "Gadgetron." It also introduces a multiplayer mode, supporting 4-player split-screen play and online play for up to 8 players, with match types like Deathmatch and Capture the Flag.
Space battles and race mini-games from earlier games are not included in Up Your Arsenal, nor are grindboots or grindrails.
Ratchet: Deadlocked (also called Ratchet: Gladiator in Europe, Australia, and Africa and Ratchet & Clank 4 in Japan) was released on October 25, 2005, in North America for the PlayStation 2. Deadlocked differs from earlier games by reducing platforming and puzzle elements and focusing more on combat in an arena-style setting. In Deadlocked, Ratchet, Clank, and Al are captured by media mogul Gleeman Vox and taken to the lawless Shadow Sector of the Solana Galaxy. Ratchet must compete in a violent underground bloodsport called DreadZone to survive.
For the first time in the series, Clank does not accompany Ratchet throughout the single-player campaign and is not given playable sequences. Multiplayer is still available, but the game adds a two-player co-op option for the single-player campaign, which does not affect the story.
Although Deadlocked was not included in the original trilogy’s high-definition collection for PlayStation 3, a high-definition version was released as a downloadable title on the PlayStation Network on May 21, 2013, in North America, and on September 5, 2013, in Europe.
Tools of Destruction (called Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction in Europe and Australia and Ratchet & Clank Future in Japan) was developed by Insomniac Games and released on October 23, 2007, for the PlayStation 3. This was the first Ratchet & Clank game for the PlayStation 3 and the first in the Future trilogy. In this game, Emperor Tachyon, a self-proclaimed crown prince of the Cragmites, claims Ratchet is the last Lombax in the universe and pursues him. Ratchet and Clank escape to the Polaris Galaxy, where they meet Talwyn Apogee, a Markazian, and two old war bots, Cronk and Zephyr, who help them uncover the Lombax secret and Tachyon’s plan. During the game, Clank meets the Zoni, a mysterious race that helps him at times but later abducts him in the ending.
Tools of Destruction’s weapon upgrade system requires Raritanium, a rare resource mentioned in earlier games, to exchange for upgrades. Weapons also automatically improve with continued use.
Quest for Booty is a short game developed by Insomniac Games and released digitally on August 21, 2008, on the PlayStation Network Store. It was later released physically in Europe and Asia but not in North America. It is also called Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty in most PAL regions and Ratchet & Clank Future Gaiden: Kaizoku Dark Water no Hihou in Japan.
Set after Tools of Destruction, the game follows Ratchet and Talwyn’s search for Clank. After encountering pirates from Tools of Destruction, they activate a device called the Obsidian Eye to communicate with the Zoni. However, the device requires a reusable black hole frozen in furion crystal, called the Fulcrum Star. Rusty Pete revives dead pirates and gives Captain Slag a new body. After Ratchet defeats Slag/Darkwater, he and Talwyn obtain the Fulcrum Star. Ratchet activates the Obsidian Eye and learns Clank is being held by the Zoni at the Great Clock, where he is malfunctioning. The Zoni reveal they hired Dr. Nefarious to repair Clank. Ratchet sets off to rescue Clank, and the story ends with Rusty Pete narrating to the surviving head of Slag.
This game is also called A Crack in Time in Europe and Ratchet & Clank Future 2
Setting
Ratchet & Clank takes place in a fictional universe that focuses on travel between planets in multiple galaxies. Many different living and robotic species live on these planets, which include both highly advanced cities and untouched natural environments. The Future series added time travel and movement between different dimensions in some parts of the game.
The Lombax is a fictional species from the series. Lombaxes come from the planet Fastoon and look like two-legged, cat-like creatures with a tail similar to a lion's. Unlike most other living species in the game's universe, which have two fingers and a thumb on each hand, Lombaxes have the same hand structure as humans (four fingers and a thumb on each hand). This species naturally enjoys working with tools and machines. The only Lombaxes shown in the series are Ratchet, Angela Cross, Alister Azimuth, and Rivet. Ratchet's father is mentioned by Azimuth but never appears in the series. A news broadcast in A Crack in Time states that Angela Cross is a Lombax who has been missing for three years and does not have a tail, as female Lombaxes are said to lack one. However, in the game Rift Apart, the character Rivet has a tail that looks more like a fox's or raccoon's tail than a lion's. After A Crack in Time, Ratchet becomes the last known Lombax in his dimension because Azimuth dies and Angela is missing; her current location is unknown.
Major characters
The main characters in the series are Ratchet, a Lombax mechanic from the planet Veldin, and his robotic best friend Clank, who was made in a robot factory on Quartu. In Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time, it is revealed that Clank has a Zoni father named Orvus, who created Clank intentionally. Players usually control Ratchet in most games, except for Secret Agent Clank. However, some missions require direct control of Clank. Otherwise, Clank sits on Ratchet’s back (like a backpack) and helps Ratchet by providing abilities such as jumping, hovering, and diving through upgrades. These upgrades are earned in the first game and remain available in later ones. Throughout the series, Ratchet and Clank often meet Captain Qwark, a green-costumed superhero who is full of himself and may help or hinder their goals. Dr. Nefarious, the main robot villain, usually appears to try to take over the universe. Other villains include Chairman Alonzo Drek (owner of the robot factory where Clank was built), Emperor Percival Tachyon, Gleeman Vox, Captain Romulus Slag, Lord Flint Vorselon, Vendra & Neftin Prog, and the Thugs-4-Less (or Goons-4-Less) organization. "The Plumber," a minor character, appears in most games in some form.
Captain Copernicus Leslie Qwark (voiced by Jim Ward from 2002–2021 and Scott Whyte since 2021) is the self-proclaimed superhero of the Solana Galaxy. In reality, he is a cowardly, egotistical person whose actions often cause problems for Ratchet and Clank. Qwark started as the main villain in the original Ratchet & Clank and its sequel Going Commando, but later became an ally in Up Your Arsenal and later games.
The Plumber (voiced by Neil Flynn in the first three games and Jess Harnell later) is a common character in the series. He is often seen with his backside sticking out of whatever he is working on and can be helpful when needed. In Ratchet & Clank and Going Commando, he appears as an NPC (non-playable character) and later sells Ratchet an item. In Up Your Arsenal, he asks Ratchet to find Sewer Crystals in exchange for bolts.
The Plumber does not appear in Ratchet: Deadlocked, though the credits mention he was called away for a "sump pump emergency." He appears briefly in Size Matters as a memory and in Secret Agent Clank to fix prison showers. In Tools of Destruction, he has a new design, wears glasses, and gives Ratchet a spare part for the Dimensionator. In A Crack in Time, he appears in Clank’s memory banks and advises Clank to spend no more than six minutes in Qwark’s mind, helping Clank save Ratchet.
In All 4 One, the Plumber fixes a transport to help Ratchet reach Uzo City but admits he cannot provide cryptic advice to stop Nevo. In Full Frontal Assault, Stuart Zurgo impersonates him to damage the Starship Phoenix II. Later, the real Plumber contacts Ratchet, Clank, and Qwark for help after being stuck on a planet. In Into the Nexus, the Plumber is the creator of the RYNO VII weapon and splits its blueprints to prevent misuse. In the 2016 Ratchet & Clank, he appears in Novalis sewers and says, "See you in the next reboot." He also appears in the film’s final credits and in comics, where he saves Ratchet, Talwyn Apogee, and Vorn Garblak from drowning.
In Rift Apart, Gary, the Plumber’s son, briefly mentions him in a Dimensional Anomaly.
Big Al (voiced by Chris Hatfield) is a character who first appears in the original Ratchet & Clank. He is a computer geek from Kerwan who loves electronics and Captain Qwark. Ratchet often needs Clank to translate Al’s technical language. Al owns "Big Al’s Robo Shack" and provides Clank with upgrades like a Heli-Pack. His siblings Bob and Edwina also run similar shops. In Up Your Arsenal, Al joins Qwark’s "Q-Force" but plays a small role. In Deadlocked, he is captured and used by Ratchet’s DreadZone crew but later helps escape. He appears in comics, helping return Veldin to its normal orbit. In the 2016 game, he serves the same role and later aids Ratchet on Pokitaru.
Angela Cross (voiced by Kath Soucie) is a Lombax who appears in Going Commando. She likes gadgets but is clumsy. She worked for Megacorp on a secret project to create a "Protopet" but quit when her boss pushed for an early release. She stole the prototype to stop it and hired Thugs-4-Less to protect it. When Megacorp asks Ratchet to retrieve it, she tries to use Clank as bait, but her plan fails.
Gameplay
The Ratchet & Clank games combine jumping, fighting, and role-playing elements shown from the side, with a focus on using special weapons and tools that Ratchet collects throughout each game. At the start of each game, Ratchet uses his Omniwrench for close combat attacks. New weapons become available by completing missions or buying them from vendors. Most weapons have limited ammunition, so players must use them wisely to avoid running out of firepower. Ammunition can be refilled by purchasing it from vendors or breaking crates found in levels. In later games, weapons can be improved by using them repeatedly or buying upgrades. Weapons range from common types like machine guns and sniper rifles to unique tools like transformation guns and decoy launchers. Each game includes a mix of new weapons and weapons from earlier games. For example, in Going Commando (2003) and Up Your Arsenal (2004), weapons from the previous game can be bought or obtained for free or at a lower cost using a saved game file.
In addition to weapons, Ratchet receives gadgets with different purposes. Some gadgets are needed to move through parts of levels, such as "Grind Boots" for riding rails or a "Swingshot" (a reusable grappling hook) for swinging across gaps. Other gadgets help in battles by distracting enemies, or they are required to unlock doors, which often involve solving a puzzle.
Each game is divided into missions set on many planets in the galaxy. Most missions must be completed in a specific order to continue the main story, but others are optional and may offer rewards. After finishing a mission on a planet, players can return to earlier planets to try missions they previously failed. Missions may also include activities like races or combat arenas. Usually, one or two of these activities are required for the main story, but others can be completed for extra rewards, such as "bolts," the game's currency. Some missions focus on Clank, who controls small robots called Gadgebots to explore areas Ratchet cannot reach. After Tools of Destruction (2007), Clank's sections in main games often use more unusual gameplay styles.
Besides main missions, players can find special large gold bolts hidden in hard-to-reach places. These bolts can be used to upgrade or buy powerful weapons. Skill Points are also scattered throughout the game, requiring players to complete specific tasks based only on their names. These points unlock extra features, like concept art or new outfits for Ratchet. Most games (except Quest for Booty, All 4 One, and Full Frontal Assault) include a "Challenge Mode" after completing the main story. In this mode, players replay the game against stronger enemies for more bolts or better weapon upgrades.
Reception
Games in the Ratchet & Clank series have received mixed to very positive reviews, with scores ranging from 54/100 to 91/100 on Metacritic and 57% to 92% on GameRankings. The first three games, Ratchet & Clank, Going Commando, and Up Your Arsenal, received very positive reviews from critics. None of the main games in the series (Ratchet & Clank to Deadlocked, the Future series, the PS4 game, and Rift Apart) have been rated lower than 76/100 on Metacritic. The 2016 game, Ratchet & Clank, became the fastest-selling game in the franchise.
Other media
A manga titled Ratchet & Clank: Bang Bang Bang! Critical Danger of the Galaxy Legend was published in the Japanese magazine CoroCoro Comic starting in February 2004. The magazine releases a new edition every two months. The manga was drawn by Shinbo Nomura and completed in the February 2008 edition of the magazine.
A theatrical animated film based on Ratchet & Clank was announced in April 2013. It was originally planned to release in 2015 but was delayed until 2016. The film was released on April 29, 2016. It was created by Blockade Entertainment Studios and Rainmaker Entertainment, the same company that made the first fully computer-animated TV series, ReBoot. The film was distributed by Focus Features and Gramercy Pictures, with support from Sony Interactive Entertainment and Insomniac Games. The film uses 3D computer graphics and includes models from the video games during the planning stage. T.J. Fixman, a writer from Insomniac Games, wrote the film’s script. James Arnold Taylor, David Kaye, Jim Ward, and Armin Shimerman returned as voice actors for Ratchet, Clank, Qwark, and Nefarious, respectively. Other actors in the film included Paul Giamatti, John Goodman, Bella Thorne, Rosario Dawson, and Sylvester Stallone. The film tells the story of how Ratchet and Clank first met and their battle against Chairman Drek.
A short film titled Ratchet & Clank: Life of Pie was released only on Crave TV in Canada. It was produced by Mainframe Studios, which was previously known as Rainmaker Entertainment. This film was the last time Jim Ward voiced Captain Qwark before he retired in 2021 and passed away in 2025.
Official strategy guide books, published by Prima Games or Brady Games, have been made for most games in the Ratchet & Clank series. A comic book series with six issues was written by T.J. Fixman and illustrated by Adam Archer. It was released by Wildstorm from September 2010 to February 2011. All six issues were later collected into one book in July 2011. Other merchandise, such as action figures, statues, plush toys, and clothing, has been sold through various stores, conventions, and special events.
Since the series began, hidden details, extra content, and references to Ratchet & Clank have appeared in other games made by Sony Computer Entertainment. These include Jak and Daxter, Sly Cooper, LittleBigPlanet, and Resistance. The main characters have also been playable in games like PlayStation Home, PlayStation Move Heroes, and PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale. They have also appeared in games not made by Sony, such as Fall Guys and Among Us. In Borderlands 3, a weapon called R.Y.N.A.H. is named after the famous R.Y.N.O. weapons from Ratchet & Clank.