Ratchet and Clank Games in Order: A Walkthrough on All Editions

Today, we will be discussing the Ratchet and Clank video games in order. Ratchet & Clank has been an established franchise for over 20 years. It is one of PlayStation’s most consistent adventure series, featuring fast-paced platforming, intense weaponry, and an ever-changing world.

With multiple titles released on various gaming platforms, new players may be confused about the best way to play through the games. Thus, this guide serves as a comprehensive list of all Ratchet and Clank games, in chronological and story order, for players to enjoy their journey as it was meant to be experienced. Here are all the Ratchet and Clank games in order.

Ratchet and Clank Games in Chronological Order

Here are the Ratchet and Clank games in chronological order. The Ratchet & Clank video game franchise comprises a variety of games. The series consists of multiple mainline titles, several handheld spin-offs, a couple of mobile titles and a recent remake.

Within the 20-year history of the Ratchet & Clank franchise, Insomniac Games has developed and published all these games at different times. Here are all Ratchet and Clank games in order:

These releases show how often Insomniac experimented with the formula, from handheld adventures to co-op party games, while maintaining the series' charm.

Ratchet and Clank Games in Story Order

Although many games have come out over the years, there is a clearer chronological order for the series' stories. The story of the series unfolds through the partnerships between Ratchet and Clank, their battles against different villains (such as Dr Nefarious), and the continuing mystery of Ratchet's species, the Lombaxes.

In the list below, in story order, you will find all the Ratchet and Clank video games with a brief description. Here are all Ratchet and Clank games in order.

1. Ratchet & Clank (2002)

The start of the Ratchet and Clank Games in order. On the planet Veldin, Clank (a small, strong robot) meets Ratchet, who is a lonely Lombax. After running away from his creator, Clank joins forces with Ratchet, and together they take the first steps to stop Chairman Drek from stealing all of the planets for his destructive means. While a reboot arrived years later, the original remains the definitive starting point for the timeline.

2. Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando (2003)

The second instalment in the Ratchet & Clank series expands on the characters and story surrounding Ratchet and Clank and continues to ask: what does it mean to be a superhero? In Going Commando, Clank is hired by Megacorp to get an experiment created from another galaxy.

At the end, the duo finds themselves in the middle of a conspiracy bigger than they anticipated. The introduction of weapon upgrades, arena challenges and an emphasis on combat gives Going Commando a different pace and sets the path for where the series is going.

3. Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (2004)

Widely considered the high point of PS2-era titles, Up Your Arsenal equals the best Ratchet & Clank gaming experience. Dr Nefarious makes his appearance as one of the series’ most memorable villains.

The title takes its shooting, movement, and sense of humour to a higher level than prior titles while incorporating intelligent satire in various areas of the game. Due to its scope and polish, it remains a fan favourite and sets the groundwork for the story.

4. Ratchet: Deadlocked (2005)

Deadlocked fits into the larger storyline and has Ratchet working on his own for most of the game. The heroes become prisoners in a gladiatorial combat game called DreadZone, being made known to the entire Galaxy through a television series.

The game focuses on tight arena battles and heavier weaponry rather than platforming; it has a noticeable dark tone as it explores the concept of Ratchet being forced into actions of violence rather than choosing them.

5. Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (2007)

Moving to PS3 starts a new chapter for the series. Tools of Destruction brings players into the Polaris Galaxy, introduces the Zoni, and unveils several new enemies, including Emperor Tachyon, a character who has ties to the Lombaxes, as Ratchet begins to explore his own history and ancestry.

This shifts the series into a more mature direction. The game's presentation took a major step forward, setting the standard for how the series has developed.

6. Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty (2008)

Quest for Booty fills in the gap between two major stories, with Ratchet beginning his search for Clank after the end of Tools of Destruction. While it's considerably shorter and more straightforward, it also lays the groundwork for understanding how Clank fits into the Zoni's agenda.

Although it's shorter than the other games, Quest for Booty provides essential information to round out the story arc that continues with the next main entry in the series.

7. Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time (2009)

A Crack in Time is the culmination of the Future trilogy, which presents the characters in separate journeys for most of the game, with Ratchet investigating the history of Lombax and Clank discovering more about his ability to move through time.

While space exploration is maximised through puzzle-solving and time manipulation, the game is also well-liked for its emotional aspects connected with the story.

8. Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One (2011)

Although the plot of All 4 One differs from the existing story, it takes place immediately following A Crack in Time. This title offers cooperative gameplay, allowing four players to take control of Ratchet, Clank, Qwark, and Dr Nefarious, while simultaneously offering the same humorous style and gadget-based gameplay of previous titles.

The gameplay in All 4 One is generally similar to that of earlier titles in the series, though it employs fixed camera angles for its missions and party-style rhythm.

9. Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault (2012)

Full Frontal Assault, or Q-Force in some regions, combines tower defence with combat as players manage events that take place over multiple small maps and defend their bases from robbers while doing so, and at the same time demonstrates the characters' heroic role as protectors of the galaxy through a much different means of gameplay.

10. Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus (2013)

Into the Nexus is a continuation of the Future Series and provides an epilogue to the storyline, completed with tools to fulfil their heroic role in saving the galaxy and finishing the game series while leaving openings for possible new games that take us to a new generation of gaming.

Players continue to protect the galaxy from new threats and dangerous criminals while dealing with the villain looking to open the rifts and unleash the evil creatures from the other dimension. Players face a more challenging experience with improved weapons that reflect the gameplay of the PS2 titles and much tighter combat with amazing graphics.

11. Ratchet & Clank (2016)

Ratchet & Clank is a complete retelling of the original story, but Captain Qwark narrates it in a distorted way and has a very different view of the events than what we have been told before.

It is not part of the canon story, but it has helped bring many new players into the game and shown what the PS4 can do visually and technically.

12. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (2021)

Last game of Ratchet and Clank Games in order. Rift Apart follows Into the Nexus. When Dr Nefarious returns and dimension-hopping tech goes sideways, Ratchet and Clank are separated across realities. Rift Apart introduces Rivet, a Lombax from another dimension, and uses the PS5’s hardware to shift between worlds instantly.

It works both as a continuation of long-running arcs and as a welcoming entry point for newcomers thanks to its self-contained storytelling.

Ratchet and Clank Games in Order: Side Stories, Spin-Offs and Non-Canon Editions

These Ratchet and Clank Games in Order do not fall under the main canon. They are essentially side stories and alternate-timeline editions that were released separately by the developers. They include:

• Ratchet & Clank: Going Mobile (2005) – Mobile spin-off

• Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters (2007) – Not developed by Insomniac (High Impact Games)

• Secret Agent Clank (2008) – Spin-off

• Ratchet & Clank Collection (2012) – Remaster compilation

• Ratchet & Clank: Before the Nexus (2013) – Endless runner mobile game

That's all from our list of Ratchet and Clank Games in Order. If you are done with Ratchet and Clank video games in order, then don't forget to check out our guide on the Yakuza Games in Order.