For most newcomers, start with Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. It is a standalone adventure, and PlayStation describes it as an excellent starting point. If you want to see how the series reimagined its original story, choose the 2016 Ratchet & Clank instead. There is no source-backed, definitive ranking of every game here, so the best pick depends on what you want from the series.
Which Ratchet & Clank game should you play first?
Choose by your priorities: a modern standalone adventure, a reimagining of the series’ beginning, or the original PS2-era starting point. Platform access matters too.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart - PlayStation 5 | $41.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (PS5) | $41.34 | Buy on Amazon |
| Pick | Best suited to | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart | Newcomers who want a modern adventure | Standalone PS5 game released June 11, 2021; also available on PC since July 26, 2023. |
| Ratchet & Clank (2016) | Players interested in a refreshed take on the origin story | PS4 game released in the US on April 12, 2016; it reimagines elements of the original rather than simply remastering it. |
| Ratchet & Clank (2002) | Players who want to experience the franchise’s PS2-era beginning | The original game launched on PS2 in 2002. Check platform availability in your region before choosing it. |
Best modern starting point: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Rift Apart is the clearest first-game recommendation for someone new to the franchise. PlayStation calls it a standalone, single-player adventure and an excellent starting point for newcomers, while noting that it also has connections for longtime fans. That combination makes it an accessible entry without presenting it as the definitive best game in the entire series. PlayStation’s game listing
It launched on PS5 on June 11, 2021. PlayStation announced its PC release for July 26, 2023, through Steam and the Epic Games Store. If you are choosing between platforms, confirm the current listing and system requirements for your region before buying. PlayStation’s PC launch announcement
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- The intergalactic adventurers are back with Ratchet & Clank: Rift apart. Help them stop a robotic Emperor intent on conquering cross-dimensional worlds, with their own universe next in line.
- Built from the ground up by acclaimed studio insomniac games, go above and beyond with the mind-blowing speed and immersive features of the PS5 Console.
- Brand-new haptic feedback and adaptive trigger Technology creates astonishing physical sensations, bringing in-game actions to life in your hands via the dual sense wireless Controller.
Best reimagining of the origin: Ratchet & Clank (2016)
The 2016 PS4 game revisits material from the original PS2 game, but it is not just a remaster. PlayStation describes it as based on elements of the original and highlights new planets, Clank gameplay, and flight sequences. That makes it the more suitable pick if you want a modernized retelling of the series’ beginning rather than the 2002 release itself. PlayStation’s game listing
PlayStation lists its US release date as April 12, 2016. Availability can differ by region and storefront, so check your local store for the edition and platform you intend to play.
Best for exploring the series’ PS2-era roots: Ratchet & Clank (2002)
The first Ratchet & Clank launched on PS2 in 2002. It is the natural choice if your priority is experiencing the series from its beginning, rather than starting with a standalone modern entry or a later reimagining. Insomniac’s 2022 retrospective marked two decades of the franchise and its span across multiple PlayStation generations. Insomniac’s 20th-anniversary retrospective
Rank #2
- Feel in-game actions through the haptic feedback of the DualSense wireless controller.
- Take full control of advanced weapon mechanics, made possible by adaptive triggers.
- Planet-hop at hyper-speed via the near-instant loading of the PS5 console's SSD.
- Immerse your ears with Tempest 3D AudioTech as you work to save the universe.
- Enhanced lighting and ray tracing render dazzling in-game worlds - displayed in crisp, dynamic 4K and HDR.Choose Performance Mode to enjoy targeted 60 frames per second gameplay.
The anniversary history establishes the original’s place in the franchise, not a claim that it is better or worse than later games. Check current regional platform availability before planning to play the PS2 version.
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- You are new to the series: Pick Rift Apart for a standalone entry PlayStation explicitly recommends to newcomers.
- You want a refreshed origin story: Pick the 2016 Ratchet & Clank; it reworks elements of the PS2 original and adds new material.
- You want the historical starting point: Pick the 2002 PS2 original, after checking that you can access the version available in your region.
- You are deciding by platform: Rift Apart has a PS5 release and a PC release; the other two recommendations above are tied to their original PS2 and PS4 releases.
Is there one objectively best Ratchet & Clank game?
These sources establish useful differences in entry point, history, and platform, but they do not compare every game in the series or support a complete quality ranking. Rather than inventing a consensus, this guide recommends the game that fits your reason for playing: Rift Apart for a newcomer-friendly standalone adventure, the 2016 game for a reimagined origin, or the 2002 original for the series’ PS2-era beginning.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
