For a practical playthrough, follow the games in first-release order. The list below focuses on the main console releases with dates and platforms established by the cited official sources; it is not an exhaustive catalog of every handheld, mobile, or regional release. Exact dates are labeled by territory where available.
Ratchet & Clank games in release order
Years are used where the official sources cited here do not establish a specific regional day. “First release” means the original commercial release, not a later port, remaster, or collection.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart - PlayStation 5 | $41.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Ratchet and Clank (PS4) | $19.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Ratchet & Clank Hits - PlayStation 4 | $19.60 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack In Time - Playstation 3 (Renewed) | $34.63 | Buy on Amazon |
| First release | Game | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 (US: November 4) | Ratchet & Clank | PlayStation 2 |
| 2003 | Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando | PlayStation 2 |
| 2004 (US: November 2) | Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal | PlayStation 2 |
| 2005 | Ratchet: Deadlocked | PlayStation 2 |
| 2007–2008 | Handheld and PlayStation 3-era releases | Handheld platforms and PlayStation 3 |
| 2008 | Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty | PlayStation 3 |
| 2009 (US: October 27) | Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time | PlayStation 3 |
| 2011 (US: October 18) | Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One | PlayStation 3 |
| 2012–2013 | Later PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita-era releases | PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita |
| 2016 (US: April 12) | Ratchet & Clank | PlayStation 4 |
| 2021 (June 11) | Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart | PlayStation 5 |
The official material cited for this guide does not establish every title and exact day for the handheld and 2012–2013 entries, so those spans are identified by era rather than filled with unverified names or dates. The 2007–2008 row is likewise an era marker, not one game. Insomniac said the franchise had reached 16 games by its 20th anniversary in 2022, but that historic count is not a current total or a complete list of releases.
What the release order means for a playthrough
Start with the original PlayStation 2 game
The series began with Ratchet & Clank on PS2 in 2002. Going Commando, Up Your Arsenal, and Deadlocked followed on PS2. Release order gives you the original progression before the later console eras, without implying that every entry is required to understand every subsequent game.
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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.
Keep the 2016 game distinct from the 2002 original
The PS4 Ratchet & Clank is a re-imagining based on elements of the original, not a simple port of the PS2 game. Its US PlayStation Store listing gives April 12, 2016, while a 2021 PlayStation retrospective prints April 16, 2016. The table uses the date on the US Store listing; dates can vary by territory and source.
Where Rift Apart fits
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart launched for PS5 on June 11, 2021. Insomniac describes it as a standalone entry whose story is connected to prior games, so it is a reasonable place to begin if you only have a PS5—but release order provides more franchise context.
Rank #2
- A new Ratchet & Clank adventure based on the movie (based on the 2002 PS2 game)
- A deeper version of the origin story, with over an hour of cinematics, including footage from the feature film
- All-new visuals showcase the power of the PlayStation 4
- Collect a massive arsenal including new weapons and fan-favorites from across the entire series
- Several new planets, new and updated gameplay segments, all-new flight sequences, all-new Clank gameplay, and all-new boss battles
Collections, ports, and what is not in the sequence
The sequence is about distinct games’ first releases, not every way to buy or play them. A port, remaster, compilation, or regional title variation does not create a new first-release entry here. Sony announced the Ratchet & Clank Trilogy collection for PS3 in 2012; it gathers the original trilogy, not the whole franchise.
There is no single exhaustive current list here for all handheld and mobile spin-offs or for every territory’s first-release dates. Those games should be added only with title-level, dated evidence and clearly stated regional criteria. For a reliable starting point, use the named console milestones above and treat the unspecified era rows as scope markers, not complete game entries.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- New space gameplay that gives players the opportunity to engage in space battles, explore the surrounding star system, and discover hidden items and collectables.
- An original new adventure and story that answers many of fans' most-asked questions and wraps up the story arc that started in earlier games, 'Tools of Destruction' and 'Quest For Booty.'
- Non-linear levels with plenty of hidden areas to explore, and new gadgets like the Hoverboots that let Ratchet soar to new heights.
- All-new Clank gameplay and special "Time" abilities that bring new meaning to "past selves," and multiple personalities.
- The series' renowned arsenal gets even larger with brand new weapons, as well as weapons that players can customize with various modifications.
Rank #3
- Ratchet & Clank HITS
- Ratchet & Clank HITS
- Ratchet & Clank HITS
Sources
- PlayStation Blog: 20 years of Ratchet & Clank, a PS2 retrospective
- PlayStation Blog: Celebrating 20 years of Ratchet & Clank
- US PlayStation Store: Ratchet & Clank for PS4
- US PlayStation Store: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- PlayStation Blog: Rift Apart is out tomorrow
- PlayStation Blog: Ratchet & Clank Trilogy collection announced
- Sony Computer Entertainment America announcement, May 1, 2002
- Insomniac Games: Ratchet & Clank franchise
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.
