History Franchise / RatchetAndClank

** Repeatedly enforced in ''Full Frontal Assault'': while the weapon upgrades carry over each time, every time you start a level you have to seek them out first before you can you them.

-->-- Tagline from [[https://blog.playstation.com/2012/10/23/ratchet-clank-10th-anniversary-limited-edition-poster-series-revealed/ a 10th anniversary poster]]

* ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFullFrontalAssault'' (2012/2013, [[Platform/{{PlayStation 3}} PS3]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation Vita}} PS Vita]]) -- A competitive multiplayer spin-off combining classic ''Ratchet & Clank'' gameplay with TowerDefense mechanics. As multiple planets have their defenses compromised by a shady character from Ratchet, Clank and Captain Qwark's history, the three mobilize as the Q-Force to restore these defenses before they face destruction by invading forces.

* ''Ratchet & Clank Collection'' (2012/2014, [[Platform/{{PlayStation 3}} PS3]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation Vita}} PS Vita]]) -- A high-definition remaster of the first three games in the series, with porting done by Creator/IdolMinds.

* ''VideoGame/PlayStationAllStarsBattleRoyale'' (2012/2013, [[Platform/{{PlayStation 3}} PS3]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation Vita}} PSVita]]) -- A crossover fighting game where Ratchet and Clank are playable fighters.

** In general, the humor of the [=PS2=] entries is far more satirical and anti-capitalistic, with a big emphasis on predatory marketing, awful labor conditions and {{Big Bad}}s that are outright {{Corrupt Corporate Executive}}s, and whose subordinates tend to be media personalities that are often just as amoral. From ''Tools of Destruction'' onwards, this is downplayed in order to focus on more conventional space stories.

** In general, the humor of the [=PS2=] entries is far more satirical and anti-capitalistic, with a big emphasis on predatory marketing, awful labor conditions and {{Big Bad}}s that are outright {{Corrupt Corporate Executive}}s, and whose subordinates tend to be media personalities that are often just as evil. From ''Tools of Destruction'' onwards, this is downplayed in order to focus on more conventional space stories.

** In general, the humor of the PS2 entries is far more satirical and anti-capitalistic, with a big emphasis on predatory commercials, awful working conditions and {{Big Bad}}s that are outright CorruptCorporateExecutives, and whose subordinates tend to be media personalities that are often just as evil. From ''Tools of Destruction'' onwards, this is downplayed in order to focus on more conventional space stories.

* AlwaysOverTheShoulder: The "Lock-Strafe" mode.
* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore: In the Japanese release of ''Tools of Destruction'', Ratchet has a slightly-altered character model with green clothing, anime eyes, and thick, black eyebrows which brings Ratchet's in-game look into line with the official Japanese art and ''Ratchet & Clank'' manga.
* AndroidsArePeopleToo: The robots, like Clank, are treated on the same level as the organic characters.
* AntiFrustrationFeatures: In ''Going Commando'', you can buy five Gadgetron weapons from a Gadgetron store on Barlow. Despite the fact that the main weapon producer in this game is Megacorp, you can still get ammo for the Gadgetron weapons from Megacorp's ammo crates or weapon vendors, and in Challenge Mode you can even purchase their Mega variants from Megacorp vendors, because [[RuleOfFun having to go back to the sole Gadgetron store in the game just to keep a few weapons stocked wouldn't add anything of value to the game]]. The same can be said of the Megacorp weapons in ''Up Your Arsenal'', where Gadgetron is once again the main manufacturer of Ratchet's armaments; you won't have to go back to [[FriendInTheBlackMarket Slim]] on Aquatos to make sure you can still use Megacorp's weapons.
* ArmorOfInvincibility: One in every game that has armor, of course. It always covers Ratchet completely. Humorously, the best armor has consistently provided ''less'' protection from one game to the next, except for ''Into the Nexus'', where it stays the same.

** The Omniwrench has become this in later games. While it was a very practical default weapon in the first game, the abundance of long range, hard hitting and heavily armed foes in the sequels, which mandate the heavy amount of firepower you acquire throughout them, makes the Wrench seem like an emergency weapon, mainly useful for smashing crates.

* BrawnHilda: Helga, Qwark's "pleasantly plump" personal fitness trainer.
* BreatherEpisode: ''Deadlocked'' serves as the main bridge between the original and ''Future'' trilogies, being one of the few games without an OmnicidalManiac as the BigBad. Being a DarkerAndEdgier game and giving Ratchet some CharacterDevelopment as a [=DreadZone=] contestant helps set up the ''Future'' trilogy.

** A subtle one. In ''Up Your Arsenal'', in the first vid-comic, it is stated that Qwark fought a crew of "Robotic Pirate Ghosts", which is lampshaded accordingly by the narrator of the comic. Cut to ''Quest for Booty'', guess what you're fighting? That's right, Robotic Pirate Ghosts.
** In ''Going Commando'', a one-off gag mentions "lawn ninjas" (lawn gnomes DualWielding katanas). In ''Up Your Arsenal'', lawn ninjas are actual enemies.
* CallAHitPointASmeerp: The series uses "[[NanoMachines Nanotech]]" to represent HP. In theory, this means that the characters have nanomites inside their body that will instantly repair any damage taken -- until the supply runs out and the character succumbs to their injuries. In practice, this functions identically to a standard health bar.
* CameraCentering
* CaptainSuperhero: Qwark.

* CatFolk: Lombaxes.
* CerebusSyndrome: The first four games and the two games on the [=PSP=] are episodic and have moderate continuity between them. The ''Future'' series is a long arc covering two full-length games and one downloadable game and it deals with some fairly heavy issues.
* ChainsawGripBFG: Heavier guns tend to have two grips on them. A slight variation in that the second grip is usually on the side. Presumably, it was done in the [=PS2=] games so that Ratchet only has to use one animation for most of the guns, and continued in the [=PS3=] ones [[GrandfatherClause because of how it was used throughout the series]].
* ChickMagnet: Clank seems to put no effort in attracting half the female {{NPC}}s he and Ratchet ever encounter, despite being a robot.

** Big Al. He upgraded Clank with the Heli-Pack in the original game, joined the Q-Force in ''Up Your Arsenal'', was kidnapped along with Ratchet and Clank in ''Deadlocked'', and then disappeared (although you can hear an ad for "Big Al's Roboshack and Gaming Superstore" in ''A Crack in Time'').

* CoolButInefficient: Given the sheer number of weapons that have appeared in the game, it's unsurprising that some would fall into this category, but special mention should be given to the Hover Bomb Launcher in ''Going Commando''. It fires a powerful but [[PainfullySlowProjectile agonizingly slow moving]] explosive projectile that must be manually steered to its target. You can't move while the projectile is active, the projectile automatically detonates if Ratchet takes damage, and the camera is fixed looking at Ratchet while it's moving, so you can't use it to attack anything that's out of Ratchet's line of sight. Its flaws are especially noticeable given that the same game features another weapon, the Spider Bot, which functions almost identically to it except that the camera follows the Spider Bot around and can therefore be used to attack enemies while safely away from them.

** Ratchet's Star Explorer in ''Going Commando'' and ''Up Your Arsenal''.

** The ''Aphelion'' in all of the [=PS3=] games.

* CuteMachines: Clank and Kit.

** ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankSizeMatters Size Matters]]'' is the most infuriating one: L1 is first person mode, R1 is crouch. But unlike in earlier games, crouch in itself is not used for long/high jumps and wrench throwing; one must hold both L1 and R1 together for that.
** In ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureToolsOfDestruction Tools of Destruction]]'', ''Quest for Booty'' and ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureACrackInTime A Crack in Time]]'', L2 becomes the solitary strafe button, crouch is moved from R1 to R2, and R1 becomes the fire button. You ''will'' kill yourself while trying to long jump over a gap for the first time. (Even then, the crouch was replaced in ''[=QfB=]'' with the ability to move while being able to throw your wrench or do high jumps and long jumps.)

** ''Tools of Destruction'' isn't much more darker than ''Deadlocked'', but the game involves a galaxy mostly conquered by an omnicidal emperor who is the last of an AlwaysChaoticEvil race wiped out by the lombaxes at least 50 years before the events of the first game. Said emperor is looking for the secret weapon used by the lombaxes to bring back his evil race. Meanwhile, Ratchet would learn that the lombaxes have [[spoiler:been subjected to a genocide 20 years earlier, and he is the last known lombax left (asides from Angela Cross and Alister Azimuth)]].
* DeathCourse: Lampshaded. Our Lombax friend provides the page quote.

* DenserAndWackier: The manga series is this to the entire franchise, as it focuses more on the characters getting into light-hearted and silly situations and responding to them in increasingly bizarre ways. It also uses more ToiletHumor than the rest of the franchise.
* DerivativeDifferentiation: According to an interview with Ted Price, after making [[Franchise/SpyroTheDragon a trilogy of collect-a-thon games]] in the vein of ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'' and [[FollowTheLeader its many other imitators]], Insomniac Games realized that making yet another game like that would be a dead end in the long run, so for the first Ratchet and Clank they tried to start playing up the combat aspects of the game over just jumping around and collecting things, and they even tried to avoid calling it a platformer in development (which didn't stop critics from calling it one anyway). The sequels would continue playing up the combat aspects over the platforming, to the point where games like ''Ratchet: Deadlocked'' have almost no platforming at all, and even the 2016 re-imagining of the first game downplays the platforming in favor of combat.

** One of the Megacorp weapons facilities opens up with a guided tour of some of their rockets and missiles, where you can accompany a bunch of bots around to learn the history of Megacorp. You can [[DieChairDie destroy each of the rockets you're seeing, and they all get destroyed in different ways]]. The second rocket will hurt you if it falls on you, and can kill any enemies and/or tourists it lands on. The third one, the robot version of Mr. Fizzwidget, will tell you "sent Bobo the Squirrel into space" as a test, but they never saw said squirrel again. Blow it up and sure enough, a squirrel will appear. Finally, the last one launches up into space, disappearing completely. Furthermore, [[VideoGameCaringPotential protecting all the tourists]] from the killer squirrels in the area nets you a skill point, but [[VideoGameCrueltyPotential deliberately destroying tourists as they exit the bus]] (the tour won't start until there's a large enough group ready to go around) means you get [[EasterEgg a series of increasingly threatening warning messages]]. However, there's more to it than that. Then, later in the level, you'll encounter a very large and very tough security bot, who you will have a hard time beating with all your weapons, [[BrickJoke or it will be destroyed by the rocket that launched earlier]].
* DisneySchoolOfActingAndMime: The [=PS2=] era games constantly used these kind of broad gestures and acting. This started getting downplayed in the ''Future'' era games, and the in-game cutscenes from the 2016 reimagining of the first game outright avoid it.
* TheDitz: Captain Qwark in ''Size Matters''.
* DoorToBefore: ''All. The. Time.''

** This only applies to the American releases of certain games -- ''Going Commando'' either had no subtitle or was renamed to ''Locked and Loaded'' in Europe, ''Up Your Arsenal'' just became ''Ratchet & Clank 3'', and ''Full Frontal Assault'' became ''[=QForce=]''. ''Size Matters'' and most of the [=PS3=] games have avoided the title changes, however, except for the removal of the "Future" from the eponymous releases.

** Ratchet can, of course. All 4 characters can in ''All 4 One'', and all 3 can in ''Full Frontal Assault''. Clank can do this in the [=PS4=] re-imagining.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: The first game is basically from a whole different series from the other three [=PS2=] main titles and the [=PS3=] games.
** The art direction is somewhat different; the lighting is brighter and the design and general aesthetic are more cartoony, unlike the sleeker, more futuristic look the series quickly adapted to.

** Combat as a whole is more "puzzle-like", with enemies having simple attack patterns and weapons seemingly being designed with certain enemies or environments in mind, to the point that some weapons act as hard-counters to certain enemies, and others are near-useless unless the level design accommodates them.

** While the game has a fairly large cast of characters, several of who would becoming [[AscendedExtra recurring extras]], many of them only appear briefly, and outside of Ratchet, Clank, Qwark and Drek, there are no other major characters you interact with.

* EverythingMakesAMushroom: The Mini Nuke isn't actually nuclear.

* FakeDifficulty: More often than not, success or failure relies less on skill and more on how big your weapon is. That, plus the fact that despite having armor suits (in later games) that are supposed to reduce damage, some enemies can still finish you off in a few hits.

** Qwark, who later on does try to make a few attempts at becoming a real hero, mainly by tagging along with Ratchet.

* FirstPersonShooter: In ''Going Commando's'' NewGamePlus, ''Up Your Arsenal'', and ''Deadlocked'', the series has had the option of being played as one.

* GirlOfTheWeek:
** Though Sasha, Ratchet's love interest from the third game, has a brief cameo at the beginning of the fourth.
** Additionally, Talwyn (though not necessarily a love interest) has a large role in ''Quest for Booty'' as well as her first game, ''Tools of Destruction''. She's back for ''Into The Nexus'', and there's a colossal amount of ShipTease for her and Ratchet.

** [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2002 The first game]] allows you to upgrade 10 weapons into Gold Weapons through the use of hidden Gold Bolts and several regular bolts.
** ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureToolsOfDestruction'' lets you upgrade the Groovitron, into the Gold Groovitron, which has infinite ammo.

* GrapplingHookPistol: The Swingshot, which has multiple forms and abilities. In the first game, it's a wrist-mounted grappling hook shooter that shoots out a tether, and can be used to swing from or pull Ratchet to grappling points. ''Going Commando'' keeps the design, but adds the ability to pull things to Ratchet. In ''Up Your Arsenal'', it's replaced with the Hypershot, which is a wrist-mounted Swingshot-Dynamo hybrid that shoots out an energy beam that latches onto the target, and can also activate certain platforms. ''Deadlocked'' keeps the energy beam rope, but removes the platform-activating ability. From ''Tools of Destruction'' onward, the Swingshot takes the form of a blue and orange glove.

* HeroicBSOD: Ratchet gets one after [[spoiler:Qwark tries to kill him in the first game.]] He's eventually pulled out of it by the realization that if he doesn't stop Chairman Drek, no one will.

* HollywoodBoardGames: ''Tools of Destruction'' parodied ''TabletopGame/{{Battleship}}'' with the "You Sank My Battleship" skill point. You earn it when you destroy (sunk) 3 of the battleships in the Rakar Star Cluster by shooting them with a blue orb.

* HoverSkates: Ratchet uses a pair of hoverboots to speed around and jump off ramps in ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureACrackInTime A Crack in Time]]'', ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFullFrontalAssault Full Frontal Assault]]'', and ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankIntoTheNexus Into the Nexus]]''.

** The Markazian species (which characters like Talwyn Apogee from ''Tools of Destruction'' and Cora Veralux from the 2016 movie are) look very similar to humans and are only differentiated by their pointed ears and tails.

* IconicSequelCharacter: Doctor Nefarious came about in the third game, ''Up Your Arsenal'', yet he's since become the series' most recognizable villain, even being made playable in ''All 4 One'' alongside series mainstays Captain Qwark and the titular duo.
* ImpossiblyCoolWeapon: The games are even hyped on this trope.

''Bad guys blow up the world the narrator was about to talk about''\\

* InevitableTournament: Every game from ''Going Commando'' onwards features at least one, including the entirety of ''Deadlocked''.

** The Golden Groovitron in ''Tools''. Infinite uses of a disco ball that stops ''everything'' from attacking in range, except for Tachyon, the Kerchu Guardian (They are stopped for far less time than normal), and dropships. Simply put, it can turn the game into a cakewalk, though it ''does'' cost so much that by the time you get it, it's just a time saver.

** The Zurkons seem to have adopted "(Measly) Furball" for Ratchet.

* ItsASmallWorldAfterAll: Most of the time, when you go to a planet, you just go to one area, and the entire rest of the planet is ignored. This is somewhat lampshaded in some games, as a few of them give you a "planet - location" name in the planet selection screen, like "Planet Kerwan - Metropolis".
* JokeItem: Though unintentionally so, most of the recurring ''Ratchet & Clank'' weapons in ''Going Commando'' certainly qualify, if only for the fact that they're ''so freaking useless''. It seems that Insomniac forgot to scale their power with the new weapons, so what you've basically got is a Visibomb Gun, a weapon that could take out almost any non-boss, including tanks and dropships, in a single hit in the first game, that takes at least two shots to down a medium-powered {{Mook}} in the second game. As a result, the only returning weapon that has any use at all is the Decoy Glove, since it's the only one that was never intended to be used offensively in the first place. ''Up Your Arsenal'' takes it in the opposite direction by making the recurring weapons from ''Going Commando'' extremely ''over''powered and also allowing them to upgrade the same way as the others.

* LaughablyEvil: Dr. Nefarious is this in spades. Every time he gets [[LargeHam hammy]], he'll likely malfunction and play a soap opera until one big knock to his head gets him back into consciousness.

* LethalJokeWeapon: Almost every game has a weapon that turns enemies into animals. They have fairly short range, are slow, and only one enemy can be targeted at the time. However, their speed and range increase as the gun levels up, the morphed targets start dealing damage to other enemies a few upgrades in, and the gun (usually) doesn't consume ammo - at max level, they can even outdo their peers in damage output without costing a dime after the initial purchase. The only downside across most of the games is that [[ContractualBossImmunity they don't work on bosses]].
* LevelInReverse: The "mirrored level" cheat that appears in most games, which reflects the level across the Y-axis.

* MascotWithAttitude: Mostly in the [=PS2=] games, wherein Ratchet occasionally had a bit of jerk to go with his heart of gold. Around the [=PS3=] era, he started to be played more as a traditional hero.

** After slightly denting the FourthWall on a couple of prior occasions, the Plumber really presses against it in ''Tools of Destruction'', as he "almost didn't recognize [Ratchet and Clank] in high-def". This refers to the fact that the Plumber was wearing glasses (which he had never worn before), but also to the fact that ''Tools'' is the first ''RAC'' game on the HD-capable [=PlayStation 3=].
** Captain Slag further demolishes it in ''Quest For Booty'', accusing Ratchet of unplugging his controller during their boss fight in the previous game. Rusty Pete says Ratchet beat Slag "After several lucky shots and a few cheat codes..."

** Dr. Nefarious gets a good one in ''A Crack in Time'': Initiate super-wavy flashback effect!

* TheMusketeer: Ratchet wields his trusty [[WrenchWhack Omniwrench]] on top of his HyperspaceArsenal. It's quite useful early in the game, though it gets less and less relevant as things progress.
** Due to the way the hit points system operated in the first game, it was possible - though sometimes difficult - to progress through the whole game using only the wrench. In later installments, it receives a number of upgrades to ensure that it remains useful for puzzle-solving even after it becomes redundant as a weapon.

** In ''A Crack In Time'', the Buzz Blades, Mag-Net Launcher, Mr. Zurkon, and Groovitron Glove will be discounted if you have a ''Tools of Destruction'' save, and you'll get a skin of Ratchet in his current armor plus a pirate hat if you have a ''Quest for Booty'' save.
* OneManArmy: Ratchet regularly mows down enemies in numbers upwards of 50 on every planet he visits, with only his weapons, armor, and a little platforming assistance from Clank.

** ''Tools of Destruction'' has sections where you use the Robo-Wings. The first time at least, because after successfully completing the ring passing, you're free to fly around the entire level.

%%* {{Planetville}}
* PowerUpMagnet: Some games have an upgrade that increases the range at which you pick up bolts.

** And in ''Deadlocked'' when you're battling Vox, at one point the announcer says to Juanita, "Don't pretend that you care...YOU...NEVER...CARED!"

* RealTimeWeaponChange: When the "Quick Select" menu is not set to pause when using.
* RecurringElement: The guns Ratchet generally begins with are something pistol-related and something bomb-related. If he doesn't start with them, you can bet your bottom bolt that both of the weapon types will be obtainable very early on in the game.

* RecurringTraveller: The Plumber, lampshaded in the fourth game where he doesn't show up and is mentioned in the credits as such. A lesser example would be The Smuggler, who appears in all three of the "Future" games.

* RewardingVandalism: Almost everything can be smashed. Smashing almost anything gives you at least a few bolts. This means that randomly tossing explosives at scenery can result in profit.

--->'''Narrator Captain Qwark:''' The Lombax displayed a flagrant disregard for public property. Look at him, smashing crates. The hubris!\\
'''Shiv Helix:''' Maybe he was just saving up bolts so he could buy a new weapon to protect the galaxy with.
* RidiculouslyHumanRobots: Where to ''begin''?

** Several, such as "[[NoAnimalsWereHarmed No <animals of the game> were harmed in the making of this game.]]", a variation of the Morph-O-Ray and R.Y.N.O. in (almost) every game, the inclusion of Dan Johnson (before it became out of respect), Dr. Nefarious malfunctioning, Dr. Nefarious [[SayMyName yelling someone's name]] (usually Lawrence or Qwark), Qwark's [[TerribleArtist crudely drawn "plans,"]] et cetera.

** The very first ''trailer'' for ''Tools of Destruction'' was nothing more than the camera showing off HD, [=PS3=]-era Metropolis before panning to show the ''Ratchet & Clank'' logo on a blimp.

** ''Secret Agent Clank'', which plays a large role in ''Up Your Arsenal'' and is the basis for the duo's second PSP venture.

* SlidingScaleOfLinearityVsOpenness: The games hold a consistent level 4 on the scale.

** The [[http://ratchet.wikia.com/wiki/Zodiac Zodiac]] in ''Going Commando". [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oosZX9tXTJ4&t=5m24s Pull the trigger, electricity begins flying everywhere, the screen turns white, and pretty much every enemy onscreen will be turned to dust.]]

** Ratchet's Galactic Ranger ship in the 2016 game is also capable of space battles.

* SpaceOpera: Especially in later games.
* SpellMyNameWithAnS:
** Outside of the games, Captain Qwark occasionally gets hit with this. Is he "Captain Qwark" or "Captain Quark"?
** In ''A Crack in Time'', at one point, the Blarg get mentioned, but an extra "A" has been added to their name.
** The famous hoverboarder and member of the Q-Force is either named "Skid [=McMarx=]", "Skidd [=McMarxx=]" or "Skidd [=McMarx=]".
** Speaking of the Q-Force, that was their name in ''Up Your Arsenal'', but in ''Full Frontal Assault'', the team name became the "[=QForce=]" (notice the lack of a dash).

* StandardFPSGuns: Along with the crazy stuff like portable black hole launchers and devices that make your enemies dance uncontrollably, Ratchet's weaponry in each game usually includes a [[WrenchWhack wrench]], a pistol (which eventually becomes an automatic), a grenade launcher, a rocket launcher, a shotgun, a gun that turns your enemies into animals, and the [[{{BFG}} RYNO]] -- with the occasional sniper rifle or flamethrower thrown in. These guns usually also have their own quirks, such as ricocheting bullets or buckshot that freezes your enemies. [[StuffBlowingUp And then explodes.]]
* StealthInsult: Pretty much any other line Lawrence has about his boss.

** Captain Qwark's "video-comics" in ''Up Your Arsenal'', and the "My Blaster Runs Hot" arcade machine in ''A Crack in Time''.

* TemptingFate: The writers love to punish those who tempt fate. Even Qwark's managed to catch on by ''A Crack in Time'':

* ThemeAndVariationsSoundtrack: Came into effect in 2009 and has been applied to every game since, including ''A Crack in Time'', ''All 4 One'', ''Full Frontal Assault'' and ''Into the Nexus''. Each game will introduce their primary (and sometimes only) theme triumphantly at the Main Menu, with reprises and variations of it heard throughout the rest of the game.

* ThirdPersonPerson: Anyone who is part of the Mr. Zurkon brand of synthenoids will do this in their lines. Expect to hear "Mr. Zurkon", "Mrs. Zurkon", "Little Zurkon", and in ''Ratchet & Clank '16'', "Evil Zurkon".
* TimePolice: The Zoni, to some degree.
* TopHeavyGuy: Qwark.

* UnreliableNarrator: Many times throughout the series, we find out about Qwark's latest endeavors via animations scripted and narrated by Qwark himself -- needless to say, there's very little truth in Qwark's own words, though the accompanying images usually show the true story.

** The Pyrocitor in the first game is actually an aversion of this trope... [[CrutchCharacter at the start of the game.]] Since most enemies are weak anklebiters with pathetic range early game and your weapon choices are limited, the Pyrocitor is a rather effective way at spewing your own InstantDeathRadius. Unfortunately, enemy health and range grows throughout the game, and the later weapons that you can buy [[CantCatchUp leave the Pyrocitor in the dust.]]
** The Lava Gun in ''Going Commando'' acts like a real-life flamethrower, and is consequently quite effective. Unfortunately, it upgrades into the much less useful Meteor Gun. ''Up Your Arsenal'' fixes this, upgrading it into the Liquid Nitrogen Gun, an even more powerful colour-swapped version.

*** The Glider, found on Tabora, lets you fly forever -- but again, it's only used in certain locations, and it can't be used to fly upwards unless you want to stall and crash.

* ''VideoGame/FallGuysUltimateKnockout'' (2020, [[Platform/{{PlayStation 4}} PS4]]/[[Platform,/{{PlayStation 5}} PS5]]/PC): Cosmetic items and emotes based on Ratchet and Clank were made available as rewards for completing special limited time live events. The Ratchet live event was held from July 26 to August 1, 2021; while the Clank live event was held from August 6-15, 2021. Completing both events would reward players with a special banner featuring Rivet from ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankRiftApart''.

* ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankSizeMatters'' (2007/2008, [[Platform/{{PlayStation Portable}} PSP]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 2}} PS2]]) — A GaidenGame where Ratchet, Clank and Captain Qwark find themselves wrapped up in a conspiracy surrounding the tiny Technomite race, a lost civilization apparently responsible for the technology used across the Solana Galaxy.
* ''VideoGame/SecretAgentClank'' (2008/2009, [[Platform/{{PlayStation Portable}} PSP]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 2}} PS2]]) — A GaidenGame [[https://twitter.com/insomniacgames/status/818609388260716544 taking place as]] an episode of the series' ShowWithinAShow. Big crime is up in Solana. Ratchet is in jail for a theft he (hopefully) didn't commit. Captain Qwark is putting together his autobiography. When the chips are down, it's up to Secret Agent Clank to solve the case.

* ''[[VideoGame/JakX Jak X: Combat Racing]]'' (2005/2017, [[Platform/{{PlayStation 2}} PS2]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 4}} PS4]]) — Ratchet appears as an unlockable racer in the game for having ''[[VideoGame/RatchetDeadlocked Deadlocked]]'' save data on the [=PS2=] version and ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2016 Ratchet & Clank]]'' [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2016 (2016)]] save data on the [=PS4=] version.

* ''VideoGame/FallGuysUltimateKnockout'' (2020, [[Platform/{{PlayStation 4}} PS4]]/[[Platfor,/{{PlayStation 5}} PS5]]/PC): Cosmetic items and emotes based on Ratchet and Clank were made available as rewards for completing special limited time live events. The Ratchet live event was held from July 26 to August 1, 2021; while the Clank live event was held from August 6-15, 2021. Completing both events would reward players with a special banner featuring Rivet from ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankRiftApart''.

* ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2002 Ratchet & Clank]]'' (2002, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 2}} PS2]]) — The original game, where a fuzzy mechanic named Ratchet and a diminutive robot named Clank must team up to stop the Blarg from destroying planets across the Solana Galaxy.
* ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankGoingCommando'' (2003, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 2}} PS2]]) — Takes place in a new galaxy and introduces RPG-like progression elements to the established gameplay formula, along with collection quests and arena battles. Ratchet and Clank are hired by the Bogon Galaxy's Megacorp to rescue the experimental Protopet from a mysterious thief, only for the duo to change course once they learn how much danger it truly poses.
* ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankUpYourArsenal'' (2004, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 2}} PS2]]) — Continues developing the gameplay formula established in ''Going Commando'' further and included an online multiplayer mode. Ratchet and Clank return to Solana to learn that a mad supervillain named Dr. Nefarious is planning to exterminate all organic life in the galaxy, so they join forces with a few other heroes (or close enough) to stop him.
* ''VideoGame/RatchetDeadlocked'' (2005, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 2}} PS2]]) — A darker, far more combat-oriented follow-up to the original trilogy. Ratchet and friends are captured by the underground TV executive Gleeman Vox, fitted with explosive collars and made to compete in ''[=DreadZone=]'', a gladiatorial reality game show where heroes are forced to fight one another to the death.
* ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureToolsOfDestruction'' (2007, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}} PS3]]) — The first installment of the ''Future'' saga, and the first game in the series to make use of high-definition graphics and occasionally motion controls. Emperor Tachyon, the tyrannical ruler of the Polaris Galaxy, is dead-set on exterminating the last of the Lombaxes. After the despot and our duo meet face-to-face, Ratchet thus sets out with Clank to foil his plans, all while learning about his species' history and fate along the way.
* ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureQuestForBooty'' (2008, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}} PS3]]) — The second installment of the ''Future'' trilogy, a short downloadable title that serves to set up the plot of ''A Crack In Time'' while also experimenting with a few gameplay elements. After ''Tools of Destruction'', Ratchet travels across a space pirate-ruled planet for clues as to Clank's whereabouts, getting caught up in some robotic pirate business along the way.
* ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureACrackInTime'' (2009, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}} PS3]]) — The third and final installment of the ''Future'' trilogy, known for its more exploration-based approach to spaceship gameplay as well as its more unique approach to Clank's levels. When Dr. Nefarious returns and plans to use the mysterious Great Clock to take over time and space, Ratchet and Clank each set out to foil him, while learning even more about their own pasts.
* ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankAll4One'' (2011, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}} PS3]]) — A co-operative multiplayer spin-off game, essentially combining the multiplayer style of ''VideoGame/{{Gauntlet}}'' with the series' usual jumping and shooting gameplay. After being abducted and stranded on a mysterious planet together, Ratchet, Clank, Captain Qwark and Dr. Nefarious must work together in order to escape, while at the same time unraveling the mystery surrounding the planet's strange creatures.
* ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFullFrontalAssault'' (2012/2013, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}} PS3]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation Vita}} PS Vita]]) — A competitive multiplayer spin-off combining classic ''Ratchet & Clank'' gameplay with TowerDefense mechanics. As multiple planets have their defenses compromised by a shady character from Ratchet, Clank and Captain Qwark's history, the three mobilize as the Q-Force to restore these defenses before they face destruction by invading forces.
* ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankIntoTheNexus'' (2013, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}} PS3]]) — An epilogue to the ''Future'' trilogy, known for toying with gravity-manipulation gameplay and interaction with the "Netherverse" dimension. Learning that the brother-sister crime duo Neftin and Vendra Prog aim to bring the creatures of the Netherverse into their reality, Ratchet and Clank pursue them across the Zarkov sector to foil their plans.
* ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2016 Ratchet & Clank]]'' (2016, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 4}} PS4]]) — A "re-imagining" of the original ''Ratchet & Clank'' game that implements elements and weapons from later entries in the series, meant to tie into [[WesternAnimation/RatchetAndClank2016 the film]]. While following the same basic story as the original game, this version has a few differences, and is narrated by Captain Qwark.
* ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankRiftApart'' (2021/2023, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 5}} PS5]]/PC) — A new game with the first original story since ''Into the Nexus'', featuring the duo trying to stop a CosmicFlaw that threatens all reality.

* ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankSizeMatters'' (2007/2008, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation Portable}} PSP]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 2}} PS2]]) — A GaidenGame where Ratchet, Clank and Captain Qwark find themselves wrapped up in a conspiracy surrounding the tiny Technomite race, a lost civilization apparently responsible for the technology used across the Solana Galaxy.
* ''VideoGame/SecretAgentClank'' (2008/2009, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation Portable}} PSP]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 2}} PS2]]) — A GaidenGame [[https://twitter.com/insomniacgames/status/818609388260716544 taking place as]] an episode of the series' ShowWithinAShow. Big crime is up in Solana. Ratchet is in jail for a theft he (hopefully) didn't commit. Captain Qwark is putting together his autobiography. When the chips are down, it's up to Secret Agent Clank to solve the case.

* ''Ratchet & Clank Collection'' (2012/2014, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}} PS3]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation Vita}} PS Vita]]) — A high-definition remaster of the first three games in the series, with porting done by Creator/IdolMinds.
* ''Ratchet: Deadlocked HD'' (2013, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}} PS3]]) — A high-definition remaster of ''Deadlocked'', once again ported by Creator/IdolMinds. It was initially given away as an apology gift to buyers of ''Full Frontal Assault'' due to the Vita port of the game not releasing on time.

* ''[[VideoGame/JakX Jak X: Combat Racing]]'' (2005/2017, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 2}} PS2]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 4}} PS4]]) — Ratchet appears as an unlockable racer in the game for having ''[[VideoGame/RatchetDeadlocked Deadlocked]]'' save data on the [=PS2=] version and ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2016 Ratchet & Clank]]'' [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2016 (2016)]] save data on the [=PS4=] version.
* ''[[VideoGame/HotShotsGolf Hot Shots Golf Fore!]]'' (2003, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 2}} PS2]]) — Ratchet appears as an unlockable golfer in the game. Clank takes up the role of his caddy.
* ''VideoGame/PlaystationMoveHeroes'' (2011, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}} PS3]]) — A crossover mini-game collection centered around the [=PlayStation=] Move accessory. Ratchet and Clank are featured in this game, as are the protagonists of ''VideoGame/JakAndDaxter'' and ''VideoGame/SlyCooper''.
* ''VideoGame/PlayStationAllStarsBattleRoyale'' (2012/2013, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}} PS3]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation Vita}} PSVita]]) — A crossover fighting game where Ratchet and Clank are playable fighters.
* ''[[VideoGame/SuperBomberman Super Bomberman R]]'' (2017/2018, [[UsefulNotes/{{Nintendo Switch}} Switch]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{Xbox One}} XBONE]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 4}} PS4]]/PC) — Ratchet and Clank appear as bonus characters exclusive to the [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 4}} PS4]] version of the game.

* ''VideoGame/ResistanceFallOfMan'' (2006, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}} PS3]]): A Clank backpack, Ratchet's Omniwrench, and the Gravity Boots can be unlocked in the multiplayer mode.
* ''VideoGame/Resistance2'' (2008, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}} PS3]]): A Clank backpack can be unlocked in the multiplayer mode.
* ''VideoGame/ModNationRacers'' (2010, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}} PS3]]): A downloadable costume pack of Ratchet and Clank is available for purchase.
* ''[[VideoGame/LittleBigPlanet LittleBigPlanet 2]]'' (2011, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}} PS3]]): A downloadable costume pack of Ratchet and Clank based on ''[[VideoGame/PlayStationMoveHeroes PlayStation Move Heroes]]'' is available for purchase.
* ''VideoGame/PlantsVsZombiesGardenWarfare'' (2014, [[UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} 360]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}} PS3]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{Xbox One}} XBONE]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 4}} PS4]]/PC): Ratchet's ears can be obtained as a bonus costume in the [=PlayStation 3=] and [=PlayStation 4=] versions of the game.
* ''VideoGame/RocketLeague'' (2015/2016/2017, PC/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 4}} PS4]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{Xbox One}} XBONE]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{Nintendo Switch}} Switch]]): Decals featuring stylized artwork of Ratchet and Clank as well as balloon toppers of the duo made to promote ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankRiftApart Rift Apart]]'' were given away for free to players that logged onto the game between August 17th, 2021 and January 3rd, 2022.
* ''[[VideoGame/TonyHawksProSkater Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5]]'' (2015, [[UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} 360]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}} PS3]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{Xbox One}} XBONE]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 4}} PS4]]): Ratchet's head appears as a bonus head piece in the [=PlayStation 4=] version of the game.
* ''VideoGame/AmongUs'' (2018/2020/2021, PC/[=iOS=]/[[UsefulNotes/{{Nintendo Switch}} Switch]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{Xbox One}} XBONE]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{Xbox Series X}} Series X/S]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 4}} PS4]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 5}} PS5]]): The [=PlayStation=] 4 and 5 versions of the game receive exclusive costume pieces in the form of a Ratchet hat, outfit, and a Clank pet.
* ''[[VideoGame/LittleBigPlanet Sackboy: A Big Adventure]]'' (2020, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 4}} PS4]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 5}} PS5]]): Downloadable costumes of Ratchet, Clank, and [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankRiftApart Rivet]] are available for free.
* ''VideoGame/FallGuysUltimateKnockout'' (2020, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 4}} PS4]]/[[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 5}} PS5]]/PC): Cosmetic items and emotes based on Ratchet and Clank were made available as rewards for completing special limited time live events. The Ratchet live event was held from July 26 to August 1, 2021; while the Clank live event was held from August 6-15, 2021. Completing both events would reward players with a special banner featuring Rivet from ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankRiftApart''.

One of the most iconic and long-running UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation}} video game franchises. The series follows the adventures of FunnyAnimal alien Ratchet and his RobotBuddy Clank as they save the galaxy through [[{{Platformer}} Platforming]], puzzle-solving, humor, and [[MoreDakka prodigious firepower]].

* ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankRiftApart'' (2021, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 5}} PS5]]/PC) — A new game with the first original story since ''Into the Nexus'', featuring the duo trying to stop a CosmicFlaw that threatens all reality.

* BonusBoss: Several of the optional [[MonsterArena arena]] bosses throughout the series, and [[spoiler:the final battle with Lord Vorselon in "Crack in Time."]]

* WhipItGood: The Plasma Whip in ''Up Your Arsenal'' and ''Secret Agent Clank'', and the Lightning Ravager in ''Tools of Destruction''.

* ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankRiftApart'' (2021, [[UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 5}} PS5]]) — A new game with the first original story since ''Into the Nexus'', featuring the duo trying to stop a CosmicFlaw that threatens all reality.

* OffModel: For some reason it appears that most companies outside of Insomniac themselves cannot get Clank's head completely right. These differences can range from giving him turquoise-colored eyes instead of his standard green ones like in the PSP games[[note]]which even Insomniac was guilty of doing in some of the renders for the first two games[[/note]] to completely changing the shape of his head, such as what happened in the film where his normally sphere-shaped head was made to be more oval-shaped.

%% * GettingCrapPastThe Radar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the future, please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.

* Berserk Button: Twice. Both Drek and Nefarious should have known that threatening Veldin, which just happens to be Ratchet's home planet, was their biggest (and possibly, last) mistake.

The series was created and developed by Creator/InsomniacGames after they were finished with the first three ''VideoGame/SpyroTheDragon'' games and it is published by Creator/SonyInteractiveEntertainment. This series maintains the whimsy and humor of the Spyro games, with a kitchen sink of sci-fi elements and a bunch of {{Impossibly Cool Weapon}}s.

** The "[[NoAnimalsWereHarmed No <animals of the game> were harmed]]" message takes it even further, being a gag in the credits for the original ''[[VideoGame/SpyroTheDragon Spyro]]'' trilogy before ''Ratchet and Clank''!

* ArtificialGills: The O2 mask allows Ratchet to survive in toxic atmospheres, underwater, and even {{space|Mask}} with unlimited air supply. In ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankGoingCommando Going Commando]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankUpYourArsenal Up Your Arsenal]]'', the Megacorp Helmet serves this purpose instead.

* BalefulPolymorph: [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2002 The Morph-O-Ray]], [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankGoingCommando the Sheepinator]] ([[VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2016 twice]]), [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankUpYourArsenal the Qwack-O-Ray]], [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankGoingMobile the Boar-Zooka]], [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankSizeMatters the Mootator]], [[VideoGame/RatchetDeadlocked any weapon with the Morph Mod]], [[VideoGame/SecretAgentClank the Pork Bomb Gun]], [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureToolsOfDestruction the Transmorpher]], [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureACrackInTime the Chimp-o-Matic]], [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankAll4One the Critter Strike]], [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFullFrontalAssault Transmorpher Mines]], [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankIntoTheNexus the Winterizer]], and [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankRiftApart the Topiary Sprinkler]] (which is actually plant-based), to date.

* MonsterArena: From the second game onwards, there's at least one arena where you face off against waves of enemies, sometimes with special conditions attached. They include the Gladiator Games and Megacorp Games in ''Going Commando'', Annihilation Nation in ''Up Your Arsenal'', the ''entire fricking game'' in ''Deadlocked'', the Imperial Fight Festival in ''Tools of Destruction'', Ratchet's segments in ''Secret Agent Clank'', the Battleplex in ''A Crack in Time'', and the Destructapalooza in ''Into the Nexus''.

** One final, ridiculously powerful gun in almost every game: the [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2002 RYNO]] ([[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankSizeMatters three]] [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2016 times]]), [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankGoingCommando RYNO II]], [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankUpYourArsenal RY3NO/RYNOCERATOR]], [[VideoGame/RatchetDeadlocked Harbinger/Supernova]], [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureToolsOfDestruction RYNO IV/RYNO 4-EVER]], [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureACrackInTime RYNO V/MEGA RYNO V]], [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankAll4One RYNO VI Protosuit]], and [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankIntoTheNexus RYNO VII/RYNO VII Xtreme]]. It's actually pretty noticeable that ''[[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFullFrontalAssault Full Frontal Assault]]'' averts this.