Grab the biggest gun you can find and strap a robot to your back, because it’s time to check out the best Ratchet and Clank games of all time!
Every console has a dynamic duo that stands out above the rest. Banjo and Kazooie, Jak and Daxter, Sonic and Tails.
Still, Ratchet and Clank are probably the most famous and widely known, and their games shift Sony consoles like hot cakes…
… for anyone not from the U.K, that means they sell fast and in large numbers!
From humongous guns to mind-boggling puzzles, the best Ratchet and Clank games are fast-paced and fun for everyone aged 8 to 80. They’re loud and pack a serious punch, which probably should be the duo’s main motto, come to think of it.
Still, you didn’t come here just to listen to me waffle on about how good they are.
No; you came here to listen to me waffle on about how good they are while listing my favourite games at the same time.
Let’s crack on with Number 10!
10. Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One
Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One kickstarts this list of the best Ratchet and Clank games of all time!
What could be better than taking Ratchet and Clank out on an adventure with flamethrowers?
How about an online multiplayer title where four players battle hordes of enemies using some of the best characters from the series?
Yeah, that would just about do it!
This game is better with friends, so if you don’t have any, find some or move on. Choose from Ratchet, Clank, Captain Qwark or play as Dr Nefarious himself! Working together and swapping weapons is the key to success; all old grudges have gone!
All 4 One is a classic example of the bad guy causing problems but needing the good guys to help him out. Why are villains such wusses when they don’t get their own way.
Pulled out of retirement, Ratchet and Clank join Captain Qwark in a false ceremony set up by Dr Nefarious. When his attack goes wrong, ‘ol Robot-face must work with the heroes to escape the unknown planet they’ve been trapped on and bring the Dr’s insane inventions to heel.
The graphics on the PS3 look great even today, and the battles are supreme fun. As I said, it’s better with four people, so grab some mates and get blasting!
9. Ratchet and Clank Future: Quest for Booty
Ratchet and Clank Future: Quest for Booty is a short game but still a good one to have in any collection.
Offered as a freebie when the PlayStation Intrusion left us all banging our heads for three-full-weeks, Quest for Booty quickly became a much-loved title and helped to appease the frustrations of no online play for a full 21 days.
It marks the second title in the Future series and acts as a sequel fo Tools of Destruction, pretty much picking up where the last game ended.
You might see that game further down this list, so keep your eyes peeled!
Clank is missing in this game. I don’t know whether he’s off doing his solo game and never told Ratchet or whether he’s actually in danger; you’ll have to find that out yourself.
With the help of a nifty-lady called Talwyn that serves as Ratchet’s love interest (she has a tail, so I think it’s ok), Ratchet tries to find his shiny-little pal.
The pirates from Tools of Destruction and Rusty Pete make an appearance, as does the formidable Dr Nefarious. This guys more obsessed than Voldemort; give it a rest!
The Quest For Booty feels like an updated version of Jet Force Gemini to me. The worlds are vibrant, the guns are huge, and the graphics are fantastic. You won’t be disappointed with this one.
8. Secret Agent Clank
Secret Agent Clank slides into the Number 8 slot all-guns blazing with a James Bond-style get-up and some super sleek moves!
Everyone needs to go solo sometimes. It worked for Banjo in Grunty’s Revenge, and Daxter left Jak for one of the best PSP games on the system. So, it’s no surprise that Clank wanted a little spot in the limelight either.
Everything that makes the best Ratchet and Clank games special has been shrunk down into this portable title. Don’t think for a second that this is just a lame spin-off; it received platinum status and is choc-a-bloc with characters from the Ratchet and Clank universe.
Clank took a bit of a back seat in the main games. He’s a pivotal character, though he’s more puzzle-orientated rather than an all-out-action man… robot… you get the idea.
Now, however, armed with his tuxedo and some super-swish tricks up his robotic sleeve, Clank can battle enemies and run around to his hearts content in his very own title.
Any readers that remember the Guitar Hero-style rhythm sections the require pressing buttons to sneak past enemies know how taxing this game is on the brain. It’s a brilliant portable title and one that will keep you occupied for hours at a time.
I lied a little earlier; Ratchet is a playable character, as is good old Captain Qwark!
7. Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters
They say that size doesn’t matter, but Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters proves the complete opposite.
This next entry in our list of the best Ratchet and Clank games also saw a release on the PSP, giving gamers the chance to replay levels on the toilet or under the desk in the office… or perhaps both.
In this title, our dynamic duo take a vacation. We know from Super Mario Sunshine that that’s never a good idea, and it certainly proves to be an interesting holiday for Fur-Features and Robo-Boy!
Imagine coming across a hidden race of brain-box scientists who have passed completely from memory. Well, that’s exactly what Ratchet and Clank happen upon while trying to save a girl on their heroic holiday adventure.
‘But what’s new in this title?’ I hear you ask. Well, as in addition to the weapons and characters that make these games so memorable, new gadgets and guns appear to collect.
It wouldn’t be one of the best Ratchet and Clank games without them!
There are multiple armour pieces to collect along the way, a little like the collection system on the Metroid games or Ghost of a Tail. Each piece is found in a different world, and the full kit provides extra defence and other neat traits that beef Ratchet up!
6. Ratchet: Deadlocked
Ratchet: Deadlocked takes the 6th spot in this list of the best Ratchet and Clank games of all time, and the dude looks TANKED UP!
Yep, Ratchet takes on more of a solo role in this game. It’s probably the reason why Clank went solo a couple of years later, or maybe he just wanted to sit this one out. Still, it’s a great game that revolves more around Ratchet doing what Ratchet does best – shooting stuff.
There’s a reason that this game is called ‘Ratchet: Gladiator’ in Europe. With Clank chilling on the sidelines, the gameplay has fewer puzzles or exploration elements and concentrates more on gunning bad-guys down.
The game itself is like a cartoony version of the film ‘The Running Man’. After finding themselves in a place called the Shadow Sector, a region with zero rules and just as few police officers, Ratchet must save his friends by fighting in DreadZone battles.
It’s a kill-or-be-killed kind of world our furry friend finds himself in, with coliseum fights and robot battles for one or two players. This is my go too game when I get back from meetings with Brandon and just want to shoot stuff to get rid of my anger…
… I hope he doesn’t read this…
5. Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
Up next on our list of the best Ratchet and Clank games is Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, the first title in the ‘Future’ series.
Let’s start off by talking about the graphics on this game. They’re bloomin’ brilliant and look incredible on the PS3. Honestly, I swear that thing was way ahead of its time.
Insomniac games pulled off another blinder with their debut R&C adventure on the PS3. Collecting rare metals to upgrade weapons added to the platform-collecting nature of the game, and Clank’s outings with a new tribe called the Zoni set-up a storyline that will leave you rushing back to grab a copy of Number 9 in this list!
Here’s a quick low-down of what’s going on in Tools of Destruction.
An evil emperor is trying to capture Ratchet as he’s the last of his kind. Talwyn and two robot dudes help him along the way, and Clank partners up with the Zoni to complete specific puzzle tasks.
That’s the game in a nutshell, but obviously I don’t want to give too much away and spoil the plot!
Fans of Star Fox Adventures, one of the best GameCube games of all time, will love Tools of Destruction. It has a very similar level feel and is just as meaty; something for the collectors to sink their teeth into!
4. Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando
Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando is another title that proves Insomniac Games were up for a laugh in the PS2 days.
Going Commando might provide your lower regions with a cool breeze, but things are about to get hot very quickly with the insane array of guns at Ratchet’s disposal!
As the second game in the canon, Going Commando sees Ratchet undergoing commando training by a company bigwig in another galaxy. It’s set in a different world entirely to the first game and follows the duo trying to retrieve a mysterious experiment.
I’m getting serious Mewtwo vibes right about now…
Oh… and Clank plays an accountant, but I’ll let you figure out what that means and why in your own time.
Going Commando might have been the second game in the series, but it introduced a lot of firsts. The weapon upgrading mechanic where guns evolve like Pokemon the more they’re used first came into play in this title, as did having the ability to race around in crafts and fighting in space.
Going Commando improved on the formula of the first game and set in motion many of the features that we know, love, and expect from these titles. Seriously, you’re going to want to slot this game into your PS2 arsenal.
3. Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal
Speaking of which, Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal takes the Number 3 spot in this list of the best Ratchet and Clank games of all time!
Listen, this is one of the best named games of all time. I dunno how Insomniac got away with it to be honest, but it was probably the funniest joke of 2004, fact.
Far from being an amusing title, this game is a blast to play and a blast in nature.
That was supposed to be a firepower joke… ahem… let’s continue.
Fans of the series will love the return of the usual familiar faces and the introduction of a new, villainous Robo-boss named Dr Nefarious.
As always, Up Your Arsenal revolves around massive firepower and blowing enemies sky high. There are some platform-esque elements, but it’s mostly about the guns!
Oh, and it had one of the best online multiplayers too! Sadly, the servers are dead and buried now, but it’s still a brilliant game without them. Drive vehicles, blow up cronies, and make arse jokes every 20-seconds to your mates, mum, or anyone who will listen.
2. Ratchet and Clank
I’ve always loved the original Ratchet and Clank game, and when Insomniac brought out an updated version for the PS4, I had to grab it.
Like the Spyro Reignited Trilogy (arguable the best of the best Spyro games), this remake breathed new life into a classic title, with richer backgrounds, greater detail, and graphics that make you say wow out loud…
…. they did for me, at any rate.
This updated title accompanied the release of the Ratchet and Clank movie, but I wouldn’t waste your time watching it.
Spoiler alert – It wasn’t very good.
Still, the game is a real triumph and even boasts new features not included in the original game. We’re talking new faces and characters playing different roles, spicing things up for fans of the original title.
The main crux of the story is the same and it’s a real walk down memory lane. Stop Drek from making a mash-mash homeworld as you get to know Ratchet and Clank all over again!
1. Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack In Time
And finally, we come to the best of the best Ratchet and Clank games – Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack In Time!
Now they can add ‘Retro Dodo Number 1 Game’ onto the case under the Greatest Hits banner. I reckon that would help sell even more copies.
Serving as a sequel to the Quest for Booty, Ratchet is still on the hunt for Clank after the Zoni’s kidnapped him. What I love about this game is that rather than working together, players play as both Ratchet and Clank in separate storylines, playing out their different roles.
It’s basically two games for the price of one!
I guess you could think of A Crack In Time as a journey of self discovery for both characters. While Ratchet finds out more about the Lombaxes, Clank discovers his destiny while going about the arduous task of fixing time.
He also figures out who made him, but that’s a MAJOR plot spoiler, and I couldn’t do that to you… not after you’ve come so far down this list!
Captain Qwark and Dr Nefarious both return in this epic title, as does another interesting character that Ratchet is very interested to meet. It’s the best storyline out of the whole series in my opinion and a joy to play again and again.
The game is huge; there’s so much to do, and the formula feels fresh enough for fans of the series not to become bored with the format. It’s deserved of the top spot in our list of the best Ratchet and Clank games and a worthy winner of the title!
What Is Ratchet From Ratchet And Clank?
A Lombax
Ratchet is a Lombax, and it’s widely believed that he is the last one of his kind. He comes from the Polaris Galaxy and lived on a planet called Fastoon.
Lombaxes are part human-part feline and work as engineers. They like huge weapons and shiny machinery, hence Ratchet’s friendship with Clank.
How Long Is Ratchet And Clank?
14 hours
Ratchet and Clank has an average gameplay time of around 14 hours. This is an average for completing the main story and collecting enough gadgets on the way to successfully progress through the levels.
When Is the Next Ratchet And Clank Game Coming Out?
11 June 2021
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is set for a release on 11 June 2021. Dropping on the PS5, it serves as a sequel to Into the Nexus.
Who Made Ratchet And Clank?
Insomniac Games
Ratchet and Clank were born from the minds over at Insomniac Games back in 2002. Sony published the game for the PS2, and the rest is history!
Seb Santabarbara has bought every Nintendo console that has ever been released in his 31 years on Planet Earth. His favourite game franchise is Zelda, and he’s patiently waiting for Banjo-Kazooie to come back to the fold. When he’s not playing games, he’s travelling the world in his self-converted camper van.
