Honestly, if you grew up with a PS2, you probably remember the distinct sound of a thousand metal bolts clinking toward you at once. It’s a core memory. For a lot of us, the Ratchet and Clank HD Collection PS3 release back in 2012 wasn't just a port; it was a rescue mission for some of the best platformers ever made. Insomniac Games had a lightning-in-a-bottle moment in the early 2000s, and seeing those games—the original 2002 title, Going Commando, and Up Your Arsenal—running in 1080p felt like a revelation.
It’s weird looking back now. We’re in an era of "remakes" like the 2016 movie-tie-in or the stunning Rift Apart, but the original trilogy has a specific edge. A bite. It was a satirical take on consumerism that felt dangerous and funny. The HD Collection, handled by Idol Minds, tried to bottle that.
What Actually Comes in the Ratchet and Clank HD Collection PS3 Disc?
You’re getting the "Big Three." Some people call it the Trinity.
First, there’s the 2002 original. It’s clunky. No strafing! You have to actually aim with your feet, which feels like trying to drive a car with your elbows if you’ve played modern shooters recently. But the vibe? Unmatched. Then you’ve got Going Commando (or Locked and Loaded for the PAL crowd), which added the RPG-lite weapon leveling system that basically defined the series moving forward. Finally, Up Your Arsenal turned the dial to eleven on the combat and introduced Dr. Nefarious, arguably the best villain in the franchise.
The Ratchet and Clank HD Collection PS3 also included something people forget: the Up Your Arsenal multiplayer. It was functional. It was chaotic. It was also a weird time capsule of mid-2000s online gaming.
The Technical Reality of the Port
Here is the thing about HD collections from the PS3 era—they aren't always perfect. Idol Minds did a heavy lift, but there are quirks. You might notice Ratchet’s helmet looks a little... oversized in certain cutscenes in Up Your Arsenal. It’s a famous bug. The textures are sharper, and the 60 frames per second makes the platforming feel buttery smooth compared to the interlaced chugging of the PS2 originals, but you’ll see some "seams" in the geometry that were hidden by the fuzziness of old CRT televisions.
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Why You Should Care About the 10th Anniversary Collection Today
Why play this on a PS3 when you could just stream it on PS Plus? Because streaming sucks for platformers. Input lag is the silent killer of a perfect jump.
Playing the Ratchet and Clank HD Collection PS3 natively on hardware means zero latency. It means hearing the disc drive spin up. It means trophies. This was the first time these games had trophy support, and let me tell you, getting the Platinum for the first game is a test of patience involving a lot of bolt-grinding on Rilgar.
The humor in these games is also a time capsule. Before Ratchet became a "galactic hero" with a heart of gold, he was a bit of a jerk. He was a sarcastic grease monkey who just wanted to get off his desert planet. The dynamic between him and Clank in the first game is actually pretty tense. They don't like each other for a solid half of the game. Modern games don't do that "forced partnership" friction as well anymore.
Comparing the Graphics
The jump from 480i to 1080p is massive. Even though the models are low-poly by today’s standards, the art direction carries it. Metropolis on Kerwan still looks breathtaking because the screen is filled with flying cars. It feels alive. The Ratchet and Clank HD Collection PS3 preserves the "overwhelmed" feeling of the PS2 era without the blurry mess.
- Resolution: 720p to 1080p (depending on your TV settings).
- Performance: Locked 60fps for the most part, though some heavy explosions can cause a dip.
- Aspect Ratio: Full 16:9 widescreen, which actually lets you see more of the battlefield.
The "Idol Minds" Controversy and Glitches
Look, we have to be honest. Some fans hate this collection. Well, "hate" is a strong word, but they’re frustrated.
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There are visual bugs. In Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal, there’s a glitch where the music doesn't loop correctly in certain areas. Sometimes the shadows look like blocks. If you are a purist who wants the "exact" experience, some still swear by the PS2 originals on a fat PS3 with backward compatibility. But for 95% of people, the Ratchet and Clank HD Collection PS3 is the best way to play. The convenience of having all three on one menu is just too good to pass up.
The Missing Game
Where is Ratchet: Deadlocked (or Gladiator)?
It wasn't on the physical disc. That was a huge bummer at launch. It was eventually released as a digital standalone or a voucher code for people who bought Full Frontal Assault. If you’re buying a used copy of the Ratchet and Clank HD Collection PS3 today, don't expect Deadlocked to be there. You’re getting the core trilogy. That’s it.
Is the Physical Copy Worth the Price?
If you check eBay or local game shops, the price for the Ratchet and Clank HD Collection PS3 has stayed surprisingly high. It’s a collector's item now.
People realize that digital storefronts are fragile. The Vita version is okay, but it has some serious frame rate issues and the back-touchpad controls for strafing are a nightmare. The PS3 version remains the definitive "modern" way to own these games physically.
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It’s about preservation.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Playthrough
Don't just rush through. The beauty of these games is the "hidden" stuff.
The Skill Points are where the real challenge lies. Remember the one where you have to destroy all the lights in the Oltanis orbit? Or the one where you have to kill a certain number of enemies with only the wrench? Those are the moments that make you realize how tight the mechanics actually are.
Also, for the love of the Zoni, use the RYNO. The Rip Ya a New One is the ultimate power trip. Grinding for it in the first game takes forever, but the HD Collection makes it feel like a badge of honor once you finally unlock it.
Actionable Next Steps for Enthusiasts
- Check your firmware: If you’re digging out an old PS3, make sure you've updated so your trophies sync correctly.
- Invest in a Component Cable: if you’re playing on an older display, or just stick with HDMI for the cleanest 1080p signal.
- Look for the "Black Label" version: The Greatest Hits red box is fine, but the original black label case looks much better on a shelf.
- Play in order: It’s tempting to jump to Up Your Arsenal because of the combat, but seeing the evolution of the characters from the first game is worth the "no-strafe" struggle.
The Ratchet and Clank HD Collection PS3 is a monument to an era when games were weird, sarcastic, and unashamedly fun. It isn't perfect, but it's the most complete package of Insomniac's early genius. Grab a controller, ignore the oversized helmet glitches, and go blow up some robots. It's still a blast.
Actionable Insight: If you’re looking to purchase, prioritize the North American or European physical discs over the digital PSN version to ensure you have access to the games even if the store eventually goes offline. Verify the disc's condition for "disc rot," a common issue with late-era PS3 blu-rays, by holding it up to a strong light source. If you see pinpricks of light through the data layer, avoid that copy. For the best gameplay experience, disable "Motion Smoothing" on your modern 4K TV to prevent the 60fps output from looking artificial or lagging.