Best Of
5 Best Ratchet & Clank Games of All Time, Ranked
Not many video games manage to bring back twenty years' worth of nostalgia, as well as Ratchet & Clank does. Since Insomniac Games released this PlayStation series in 2002, it has charmed players worldwide. Having four of its first titles listed on PlayStation's Greatest Hits wall of fame shows how great a game it is.
Ratchet and Clank are a space duo whose love for action and adventure has left many gamers star-struck. As they move across galaxies trying to fulfill exciting quests, Ratchet, a Lombax mechanic, and Clank, his Blargian robot sidekick, take players through an adventure-packed storyline full of epic platforming challenges, mind-blowing puzzles, and active combat.
With 15 releases, a Ratchet & Clank-themed movie in 2016, and toys all over the market, the game has grown into a legendary franchise, and here are the five best Ratchet & Clank games of all time, ranked.
5. A Crack in Time 
If you like your gaming experience with a bit of emotion sprinkled on top, Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time will do it for you. Setup in the Breegus System, in the Polaris galaxy, Ratchet is on a mission to find Clank, who has been taken captive by Dr. Nefarious. In a thrilling blend of platforming challenges, smooth gameplay, cinema-worthy cut-scenes, and deep sadness over the duo almost being separated after their reunion, this title makes for a wonderful game.
Many reviewers have praised A Crack in Time for its creative storyline, combat, and impressive graphics. Separating Ratchet and Clank was a genius idea because it improved each character's gameplay. It introduced hover boots for Ratchet, which helped him move faster, and Clank's sections featured incredibly clever puzzles, considered the best that the series ever made. The game got a bit of backlash for having similarities with previous games in the series, but overall, A Crack in Time is worth a spot in the top five.
4. Tools of Destruction
Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction matched its title to the last letter. This first release in the Ratchet & Clank Future series records some of the game's most impressive weapons and gadgets. As Ratchet and Clank travel the Polaris Galaxy in search of the Lombax Secret, which has the power to destroy Emperor Tachyon, Tools of Destruction provides the duo with excellent tools to run their quest. The game introduces the Ratanium system, making it easier to upgrade weapons, and brings in the Grummelnet to help reduce damage when struck by enemies. In Tools of Destruction, Ratchet also gets Robo Wings to glide smoothly through planets and provides powerful non-upgradable devices to help him in battle.
Although some reviewers believe the game's difficulty needs to scale higher, Tools of Destruction has received high ratings for its diverse game surroundings and the set of tools it features. This makes it a remarkable entry to the Ratchet & Clank Future series.
3. The Original Ratchet & Clank
You rarely come across a two-decade-old game that outshines some of its most recently launched sequels, but the original Ratchet & Clank does precisely that. The game brings us to the beginning of the series when Ratchet, who lived on Veldin, wishes for nothing other than to leave the planet. Ratchet's wish comes true when Clank makes a crash landing on Veldin and takes him on an intergalactic adventure. These space adventures focus on saving the galaxies from the destructive businessman, Chairman Drek. Despite being released in 2002, when advancements in gaming graphics were still green, the original Ratchet & Clank still has beautifully-crafted game scenes, and its platform challenges were the most remarkable at the time.
The game got some criticism for being almost similar to other platform games released in that period. Still, similarity aside, this third-person shooter masterpiece took platforming to a whole new level, which explains why it is still very memorable to date.
2. Going Commando
The Ratchet & Clank series made a mark with Going Commando for gamers with an edge for action. The sole gameplay improvement for this title focused on RPG elements. While trying to save the galaxy from the destructive Protopets, Ratchet, who becomes a trained commando, and Clank, get access to fantastic spherical worlds and space combat, with Gravity Bombs, Lava Guns, and RYNO II weapons to spice things up. The game's levels are considerably more complex than those of previous titles, and side missions like Gladiator Combat are everything action lovers want in a game.
Going Commando has had so many positive reviews. Professional critics have appreciated its technical performance, graphical elements, and above all, the weapon upgrades that it featured.
1. Up Your Arsenal
The transition from a fun, platforming game to a spirited action title is complete through Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal. The game follows closely on the standards set by its predecessor, Going Commando, featuring intense third-person shooting gameplay. It is also the first game in the Ratchet & Clank series to allow online and offline multiplayer gaming. Up Your Arsenal's twisted plot puts Ratchet and Clank up against Dr. Nefarious' robot army and Tyhrranoids in the Solana Galaxy. So complex is the mission that they have to team up with the Galactic Rangers, including Captain Qwark; A cowardly yet popular galactic superhero, to defeat their common enemy Dr. Nefarious.
As a single-player, you get to control Ratchet and Clank. In the multiplayer version, however, you can compete against other teams on a map to see who captures flags bases and who kills the most opponents. All while collecting a range of arsenals and driving incredible space and ground vehicles. Up Your Arsenal has earned the praise of professional critics for its multiplayer addition and action-filled gameplay. Its missions are interestingly varied, and the weaponry and vehicles give it a perfect touch of real online action gaming.
So, what about you? Which Ratchet & Clank games did you find thrilling? Leave us a comment on our socials here or in the comments section below.
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