Where to Start · Ratchet & Clank
Where to Start with Ratchet & Clank
Ratchet & Clank is Insomniac Games' PS2-born platformer franchise following Ratchet — a cat-like alien mechanic — and Clank, a small robot companion, across cartoon sci-fi galaxies filled with absurd weapons and irreverent humour. The franchise is the definitive PlayStation platformer series — 20+ years of consistent quality across PS2, PS3, PS4, and PS5 with barely a weak entry in the catalogue.
The weapons are the defining feature — the Groovitron that makes enemies dance, the Sheepinator that turns them into sheep, the Tornado Launcher — every game introduces a new arsenal of increasingly creative tools. Play in release order for the full story, but any entry is accessible standalone.
If you only play one Ratchet & Clank game
Play Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (2021) if you're on PS5 — it is the technical showcase of the generation, the most visually spectacular entry in the franchise, and accessible to complete newcomers. Rivet as a new protagonist alongside Ratchet works beautifully and the dimensional rift mechanics are the freshest idea the series has had in years. If you don't have a PS5, play Ratchet & Clank (2016) — a PS4 reimagining of the original game that retells the first game's story with modern production.
The PS2 trilogy
Ratchet & Clank (2002) → Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando (2003) → Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (2004) is the essential PS2 experience. The original establishes the world. Going Commando is the best of the three — better weapons, more planets, and the upgrade system for weapons introduced here. Up Your Arsenal adds multiplayer and the best story of the trilogy. All three are on PS2 physical and the first three are available in the Ratchet & Clank HD Collection on PS3.
Tools of Destruction and A Crack in Time
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (2007, PS3) launched the PS3 era with stunning visuals and the Kerchu and Zoni as new alien races. A Crack in Time (2009) is the culmination of the Future trilogy and arguably the best game in the entire franchise — Clank separated from Ratchet, time manipulation mechanics, and the most emotionally resonant story the series has produced. Play Tools of Destruction before A Crack in Time — the story connection is significant.
Into the Nexus and the PS4 era
Into the Nexus (2013) is a short epilogue to the Future trilogy — 6-8 hours but a high quality send-off for that arc. The PS4 Ratchet & Clank (2016) reimagines the original game with a movie tie-in that is better than the film it accompanies. Both are worth playing. Into the Nexus requires PS3.
Rift Apart
Rift Apart (2021) on PS5 is the best entry point for current generation players — SSD-powered instant dimension switching, DualSense haptic feedback that changes per weapon, and 60fps ray-traced visuals. The story acknowledges the original games without requiring knowledge of them. Rivet is an alternate universe female Ratchet and her dynamic with Clank is the emotional core. If you own a PS5, Rift Apart is the definitive modern Ratchet experience.
What platforms you need
Rift Apart — PS5. PS4 Ratchet & Clank (2016) — PS4/PS5. Tools of Destruction, A Crack in Time, Into the Nexus — PS3. PS2 trilogy — PS2 physical or PS3 HD Collection.
Recommended order
New players on PS5: Rift Apart immediately. New players on PS4: PS4 Ratchet & Clank (2016) then Rift Apart. Complete experience: PS2 trilogy → Tools of Destruction → A Crack in Time → Into the Nexus → PS4 reimagining → Rift Apart.