It’s been more than two decades since the Ratchet and Clank series has been around. In that period, the franchise rapidly grew from a basic action-platforming and third-person shooting series to one of the most sensational PlayStation-exclusive franchises globally.
All in all, the series consists of 17 games in total, including 15 core games and a couple of mobile spin-offs. Moreover, almost all the above-mentioned games were developed solely for PlayStation consoles.
However, the exception to this rule is Ratchet and Clank: Going Mobile, released for the J2ME platform, and Ratchet and Clank: Before the Nexus, which rolled out only for IOS and Android devices.
In addition, it’s noteworthy that the two PlayStation Portable (PSP) games, Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters and Ratchet and Clank: Secret Agent Clank, weren’t developed by the original developers, Insomniac Studios. Nonetheless, they later confirmed that both games contain canon storylines.
Given the massive variety in the Ratchet and Clank games, you may have difficulty deciding where to start. While beginning the Ratchet and Clank series chronologically makes sense for players highly vested in the storyline, casual gamers will find it easier to begin the series according to the release order.
Here’s more about how you can play the Ratchet and Clank series in order.
1. The Chronological Order to Play the Ratchet and Clank Series
While most series don’t follow a linear narrative between titles and need to be played in a specific order to gain an understanding of their storyline, Ratchet and Clank follows a continuous story from the first installment till the last, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart (2021).
In simpler terms, the chronological order to play the Ratchet and Clank series matches its release order, with the only exception being Ratchet and Clank (2016), which revisits the first game in the series.
The chronological order to play Ratchet and Clank series is as follows.
- Ratchet & Clank (2002)/(2016)
- Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando
- Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal
- Ratchet: Deadlocked
- Ratchet & Clank: Going Mobile
- Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters
- Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
- Secret Agent Clank
- Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty
- Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
- Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One
- Ratchet & Clank Collection
- Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault
- Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus
- Ratchet & Clank: Before the Nexus
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
2. The Release Order to Play the Ratchet and Clank Series
To experience the gradual enhancement in graphics with each title in the Ratchet and Clank series, you should play it in the release order. Furthermore, it’s easier to find games in their release order, so you’ll also be avoiding the hassle of specifically searching for various titles.
And, as mentioned above, excluding the 2016 title, the chronological and release order for the Ratchet and Clark series are the same. Mentioned below is the release order to play the Ratchet and Clank series.
- Ratchet & Clank (PS2) – 2002
- Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando (PS2) – 2003
- Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (PS2) – 2004
- Ratchet: Deadlocked (PS2) – 2005
- Ratchet & Clank: Going Mobile (Mobile) – 2005
- Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters (PSP/PS2) – 2007
- Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (PS3) – 2007
- Secret Agent Clank (PSP/PS2/PSVita) – 2008
- Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty (PSN) – 2008
- Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time (PS3) – 2009
- Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One (PS3) – 2011
- Ratchet & Clank Collection (PS3) – 2012
- Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault (PS3/PSVita) – 2012
- Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus (PS3) 2013
- Ratchet & Clank: Before the Nexus (Mobile) – 2013
- Ratchet & Clank (PS4) – 2016
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (PS5) – 2021
3. Which Ratchet and Clank game should you play first?
The Ratchet and Clank game that you should play first depends on why you’re exploring the Ratchet and Clank series in the first place.
Again, if you wish to get the most out of the series’ storyline, start with the first game, Ratchet and Clank (2002). But, if you want to get introduced to the best graphical experience, devices, and tools immediately, feel free to play Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart (2021) first.
One could consider starting the Ratchet and Clank series with the remake of the first installment, Ratchet and Clank (2016), since the two have precisely the same storyline.
Nonetheless, the introduction of new graphics, story elements, gears, and weapons in the remake can rob players of the joy of getting acquainted with the above-mentioned elements in a gradual fashion.
4. Do you need to play the Ratchet and Clank series in order?
Technically, you need not play the Ratchet and Clank series in order because each game in the franchise offers a distinct narrative, which doesn’t require the knowledge of its predecessor or successor for your understanding. Yet, to get the most out of the series, it’s advisable to play the Ratchet and Clank series chronologically.
Although each game possesses a separate narrative, the storyline of the entire Ratchet and Clank series begins with the first game, Ratchet and Clank (2002), and ends with the latest release, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart (2021).
5. Are all Ratchet and Clank games connected?
It’s safe to say that all Ratchet and Clank games are somehow connected, but not to the extent that’ll prevent you from playing the series in random order. According to the developers, Insomniac Studios, each game in the Ratchet and Clank series has a standalone story, meaning regardless of which Ratchet and Clank game you start with, you’ll thoroughly enjoy it.
However, that’s not to say that each game doesn’t contain references from its predecessor in the series. For example, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is a direct sequel to Ratchet and Clank: Before the Nexus, so the former is bound to have references from the latter.
6. Which Ratchet & Clank is best?
Although all Ratchet and Clank games are intriguing and keep you hooked to your PlayStation for hours, only one can be considered the best. With a combined Metascore of 91 on Metacritic, both fans and critics agree that Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal is the best game in the franchise.
Nevertheless, the competition to be the best is pretty tight. Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando (2003) holds a close second place with a Metascore of 90, while Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction (2007) holds the third place with a Metascore of 89.
7. Is Ratchet and Clank (2002) the same as Ratchet and Clank (2016)? Which one should you play first?
Ratchet and Clank (2016) is a re-imaging of Ratchet and Clank (2002) and follows its storyline very closely. Apart from the noticeable difference in graphics, the 2016 version consists of several story elements, items, and collectibles that aren’t available until later in the Ratchet and Clank series.
As such, you can play either of the two games first, but it also depends on whether you’ve previously played any other game from the Ratchet and Clank franchise. If you’ve, it might be befitting to play the latest version because it’s up-to-date with the latest developments in the series. However, if you’ve not, go for the older version first, as it’ll help you build a foundation for the rest of the Ratchet and Clank franchise.
Also, jumping straight from the 2016 version to Going Commando (2003) might be a bit overwhelming due to the downgrade in graphics and controls.
8. Will there be a new game in the Ratchet and Clank series?
Given the massive success of Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart and the series’ fundamental importance to Sony, there’s likely to be a new addition to the Ratchet and Clank franchise soon.
Unfortunately, there’s absolutely no news regarding the precise release date of the same, and neither is there any way to confirm if another Ratchet and Clank game is under development. Hence, talks about a new game remain a part of pure speculation.
Besides, the developers of the Ratchet and Clark series, Insomniac Studios, are currently focused on Marvel projects, such as Spider-Man 2 and Wolverine.
9. About Ratchet & Clank
Ratchet & Clank is a platform video game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2 in 2002. It is the first game in the video game series of the same name and precedes Going Commando.
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