Look, I get it. You just finished Rift Apart on your PS5 or PC, and now you’re staring at a franchise that spans over twenty years, four console generations, and a timeline that gets weirdly messy around 2009. Trying to figure out the Ratchet and Clank in order isn't just about counting from one to fourteen. It’s about navigating reboots, "re-imaginings," and those weird experimental phases Insomniac Games went through in the early 2010s.
The series started in 2002. It was a simpler time. We had chunky polygons and a Lombax who was kind of a jerk to his robot pal. Since then, the duo has saved several galaxies, dealt with time-travel paradoxes, and survived a movie tie-in that almost derailed the whole vibe. If you want the full story, you have to know where to start and, more importantly, what you can probably skip if you're short on time.
The Original PS2 Era: Where the Legend Began
The "OG" trilogy is non-negotiable. This is the foundation. You start with Ratchet & Clank (2002). Honestly, playing this one today can be a bit of a shock because Ratchet is actually pretty mean to Clank for about 80% of the game. Also, there's no strafing. Imagine playing a modern shooter where you can't move sideways while aiming. It’s tough. But the world-building is top-tier.
Next is Going Mobile—just kidding, nobody plays that. The real second step is Going Commando (2003). This is where the series actually found its soul. Insomniac added RPG elements, weapon leveling, and that sweet, sweet strafe mechanic. Then came Up Your Arsenal (2004), which many fans still swear is the peak of the franchise. It introduced Dr. Nefarious, the best villain in the series, hands down.
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Then things got edgy. Ratchet: Deadlocked (2005) ditched a lot of the platforming for pure combat. It’s darker. It has a heavy metal soundtrack. It’s also the first time Clank isn't glued to your back for the whole game. Some people hate it; I think it’s a blast, especially in co-op.
The PSP Oddities
Wait, don't forget the handhelds. Size Matters and Secret Agent Clank exist. High Impact Games handled these, not Insomniac. You can feel the difference. They aren't "bad," but they feel like covers of a great song rather than the original artist. If you’re a completionist, play Size Matters after Deadlocked. If you aren't, you can safely skip them without losing the plot.
The Future Saga: The Peak of the Narrative
When the PlayStation 3 launched, Insomniac decided to actually tell a serious story. This is the Ratchet and Clank in order section that matters most for the lore of Rift Apart. It’s often called the "Future Saga."
- Tools of Destruction (2007): This was a graphical powerhouse. It looked like a Pixar movie at the time. It introduced the concept of the Great War and why Ratchet is the last Lombax.
- Quest for Booty (2008): A tiny digital-only title. It’s basically a four-hour pirate adventure that bridges the gap between the big games.
- A Crack in Time (2009): The masterpiece. If you only play one game in the entire series, make it this one. It handles time travel better than most Hollywood movies. The ending still hits like a freight train.
After A Crack in Time, the series hit a bit of an identity crisis. We got All 4 One, which was a four-player co-op game. It’s... fine. Then came Full Frontal Assault, a tower defense hybrid. Most fans treat these as "side stories" because they don't move the needle on the main plot. Finally, Into the Nexus (2013) wrapped up the PS3 era with a shorter, spookier adventure that directly leads into the emotional stakes of the modern games.
The 2016 Reboot Confusion
Here is where people get tripped up. In 2016, a game simply titled Ratchet & Clank came out for the PS4. It’s a game based on a movie, which was based on the 2002 game.
Do not start here if you want the real story.
The 2016 game is gorgeous, but it sanitizes the characters. Ratchet goes from a grumpy grease monkey to a wide-eyed fanboy. It’s a "re-imagining," meaning it isn't actually canon to the main timeline that leads into Rift Apart. Think of it as a flashy Hollywood retelling of the first game’s events. It's fun to play, but it’s a narrative dead end.
The Chronological Checklist for Perfectionists
If you want the absolute, no-stone-unturned experience of the Ratchet and Clank in order, this is the sequence. It’s a long road.
- Ratchet & Clank (2002) - PS2/PS3
- Going Commando (2003) - PS2/PS3
- Up Your Arsenal (2004) - PS2/PS3
- Deadlocked (2005) - PS2/PS3
- Size Matters (2007) - PSP/PS2/PS4/PS5 (via Classics)
- Secret Agent Clank (2008) - PSP/PS2
- Tools of Destruction (2007) - PS3
- Quest for Booty (2008) - PS3
- A Crack in Time (2009) - PS3
- All 4 One (2011) - PS3
- Full Frontal Assault (2012) - PS3/Vita
- Into the Nexus (2013) - PS3
- Ratchet & Clank (2016) - PS4 (Standalone Reboot)
- Rift Apart (2021) - PS5/PC
Rift Apart is technically a sequel to Into the Nexus, even though it came out eight years later. It ignores the 2016 movie-game entirely. This is why you’ll see characters like Dr. Nefarious behaving like they’ve known Ratchet for decades—because in the main timeline, they have.
Why Does the Order Even Matter?
Because of the growth. Watching Ratchet grow from a selfish loner to a galactic hero is one of the best arcs in gaming. If you skip around, you miss the slow-burn reveal of the Lombax lore. You miss the evolution of Captain Qwark from a pathetic traitor to a... well, still pathetic, but slightly more heroic comic relief.
Also, the gameplay evolution is staggering. Going from the limited movement of the first game to the "Hoverboot" insanity of A Crack in Time feels like a reward for your persistence.
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Common Misconceptions About the Timeline
People think the series was rebooted permanently in 2016. It wasn't. Insomniac saw the lukewarm reception to the movie and the 2016 game's writing, and they pivoted back to the "Future" timeline for Rift Apart. This was a massive win for long-time fans.
Another weird thing: Going Commando and Up Your Arsenal have different names in Europe. If you're looking for them, they are sometimes called Ratchet & Clank 2: Locked and Loaded and Ratchet & Clank 3. Don't let the titles confuse you; they're the same games.
How to Actually Play These Today
This is the tricky part. Sony hasn't made it easy. You can’t just pop a PS2 disc into a PS5.
The best way to play the Ratchet and Clank in order right now is through the PlayStation Plus Premium subscription. It has the PS3 versions of the original trilogy and the Future Saga available for streaming. Be warned: streaming games requires a rock-solid internet connection, or you're going to have a bad time with the platforming sections.
If you have a decent PC, the original PS2 games emulate incredibly well. In fact, playing the original trilogy at 4K resolution with a steady 60fps is arguably the best way to experience them.
Actionable Steps for Your Playthrough
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don't try to marathon all 14 games. You will burn out by the time you hit the PS3 era. Instead, follow this "Modified Path" to get the most out of the story without the filler:
- Step 1: The Foundation. Play Up Your Arsenal. If you can handle the dated controls, play the 2002 original first, but Up Your Arsenal is the one that makes you fall in love with the world.
- Step 2: The Core Lore. Jump straight to the PS3 Future Saga. Play Tools of Destruction and A Crack in Time. You can skip Quest for Booty if you just watch a 5-minute recap on YouTube.
- Step 3: The Bridge. Play Into the Nexus. It’s short—about 5 or 6 hours—and sets the stage for the multiverse stuff.
- Step 4: The Modern Era. Finish with Rift Apart.
By following this condensed Ratchet and Clank in order list, you get the emotional payoff of Rivet and Ratchet meeting in the latest game without having to slog through the experimental spin-offs. Focus on the titles developed by Insomniac Games specifically; they are the keepers of the series' heart. Check your local retro game stores for PS3 physical copies if you want to avoid streaming lag, as those versions are becoming increasingly sought after by collectors.