GameTimeline

Release & story order

Ratchet & Clank timeline

Insomniac mainline from Ratchet & Clank (2002) through Rift Apart (2021)—US release dates, one continuous Lombax story, Future saga and Quest for Booty placement, and FAQ for the 2016 movie reboot, PSP spin-offs, and where to start on PC.

Updated June 2026

Start with:

Release order Story order

Release order

When Insomniac shipped each chapter—Ratchet & Clank (2002), Going Commando (2003), Up Your Arsenal (2004), Deadlocked (2005), then the Future era from Tools of Destruction (2007) through Into the Nexus (2013) and Rift Apart (2021). The 2016 movie tie-in reboot and PSP spin-offs are FAQ-only.

  • Full saga → Release order from 2002 original—long but one plotline
  • Modern-only → Tools of Destruction onward (recaps earlier lore)—FAQ trade-offs
  • Rift Apart last—it continues after Into the Nexus
  • 2016 reboot is a separate retelling—FAQ, not a Story row
Story order tips

One Lombax-and-robot saga in release order: original trilogy → Deadlocked → Tools of Destruction → Quest for Booty → A Crack in Time → All 4 One → Into the Nexus → Rift Apart. Release and story order match—no time-jump anthology like Kingdom Hearts.

  • Core canon: all 10 Release rows in order—same on Story
  • Future block: Tools → Quest for Booty → Crack in Time → All 4 One → Nexus
  • Deadlocked is canon—Ratchet solo gladiator arc between trilogies
  • On Story order, Rift Apart may be hidden—reveal when ready or use Show all spoilers

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Ratchet & Clank

    Ratchet & Clank

    PS2Action-platformerMainline

    Ratchet & Clank (2002). Ratchet meets Clank—Drek and the Blarg. It marks the PS2 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Insomniac's gadget-heavy 3D platformer—humor, weapons, and Clank on Ratchet's back.
    In-game setting
    Story chapter one—Veldin to Planet Rilgar. Use neighboring rows with Ratchet & Clank to align cast continuity across Release and Story. PS2 showcase peers with early Jak and Daxter.
    Should you play it?
    Start of mainline canon—essential first play. Play Ratchet & Clank where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US PS2 launch November 4, 2002. Shipped around 2002 on PS2; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  2. Going Commando

    Going Commando

    PS2Action-platformerMainline

    Going Commando (2003). Megacorp and the Protopet—Bogon galaxy. It marks the PS2 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Space combat, upgraded weapons, and stronger RPG-lite progression. Going Commando refined series combat, exploration, or presentation in ways sequels still reference.
    In-game setting
    Direct sequel—continues Ratchet and Clank partnership. Use neighboring rows with Going Commando to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Play after the original—do not skip. Play Going Commando where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US launch November 4, 2003. Shipped around 2003 on PS2; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  3. Up Your Arsenal

    Up Your Arsenal

    PS2Action-platformerMainline

    Up Your Arsenal (2004). Dr. Nefarious returns—Galactic Rangers and Metropolis. It marks the PS2 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Third-person shooter depth, online multiplayer, and Captain Qwark spotlight. Up Your Arsenal refined series combat, exploration, or presentation in ways sequels still reference.
    In-game setting
    Original trilogy finale—sets up later Nefarious threads. Use neighboring rows with Up Your Arsenal to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Finish the PS2 trilogy before Deadlocked. Play Up Your Arsenal where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US launch November 2, 2004. Shipped around 2004 on PS2; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  4. Ratchet: Deadlocked

    Ratchet: Deadlocked

    PS2Action-platformerMainline

    Ratchet: Deadlocked (2005). DreadZone gladiator—Ratchet without Clank for much of the game. It marks the PS2 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Arena combat focus—vehicles and squadmates in a darker tone. Ratchet: Deadlocked refined series combat, exploration, or presentation in ways sequels still reference.
    In-game setting
    Canon bridge between PS2 and PS3 eras—still mainline. Use neighboring rows with Ratchet: Deadlocked to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Required for full story order—not a spin-off. Play Ratchet: Deadlocked where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US launch October 25, 2005. Shipped around 2005 on PS2; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  5. Tools of Destruction

    Tools of Destruction

    PS3Action-platformerMainline

    Tools of Destruction (2007). Future saga begins—Emperor Tachyon and the Lombax secret. It marks the PS3 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    PS3 reboot of scope—gravity boots, rifts, and cinematic set pieces.
    In-game setting
    Start of Future trilogy arc—modern entry point option—FAQ. Use neighboring rows with Tools of Destruction to align cast continuity across Release and Story. PS3 Future start—Insomniac peers include classic Spyro.
    Should you play it?
    Play before Quest for Booty and Crack in Time. Play Tools of Destruction where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US PS3 launch October 23, 2007. Shipped around 2007 on PS3; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  6. Quest for Booty

    Quest for Booty

    PS3Action-platformerMainlineShort

    Quest for Booty (2008). Search for Clank—Pirate Captain Darkwater. It marks the PS3 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Downloadable episode—tighter scope between Future main chapters.
    In-game setting
    Mandatory story bridge—ends on a cliffhanger into Crack in Time. Use neighboring rows with Quest for Booty to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Do not skip—short but plot-critical. Play Quest for Booty where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US PSN launch August 21, 2008. Later on disc collections—FAQ. Shipped around 2008 on PS3; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  7. A Crack in Time

    A Crack in Time

    PS3Action-platformerMainline

    A Crack in Time (2009). Great Clock and time travel—Clank's central role. It marks the PS3 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Clank puzzle sections in the Great Clock—time manipulation combat. A Crack in Time refined series combat, exploration, or presentation in ways sequels still reference.
    In-game setting
    Future saga climax before All 4 One and Nexus. Use neighboring rows with A Crack in Time to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Quest for Booty. Play A Crack in Time where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US launch October 27, 2009. Shipped around 2009 on PS3; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  8. All 4 One

    All 4 One

    PS3Action-platformerMainlineCo-op

    All 4 One (2011). Ratchet, Clank, Qwark, and Nefarious forced to cooperate. It marks the PS3 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Co-op focused—lighter tone but canon events lead into Nexus. All 4 One refined series combat, exploration, or presentation in ways sequels still reference.
    In-game setting
    Story placement between Crack in Time and Into the Nexus. Use neighboring rows with All 4 One to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Shorter co-op chapter—still on main Story order. Play All 4 One where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US launch October 18, 2011. Shipped around 2011 on PS3; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  9. Into the Nexus

    Into the Nexus

    PS3Action-platformerMainline

    Into the Nexus (2013). Zurgo and the Prog twins—bridge to interdimensional travel. It marks the PS3 ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    Shorter PS3 swan song—rift mechanics preview Rift Apart. Into the Nexus refined series combat, exploration, or presentation in ways sequels still reference.
    In-game setting
    Direct setup for Rift Apart—play before 2021 game. Use neighboring rows with Into the Nexus to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    Essential before Rift Apart. Play Into the Nexus where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US launch November 12, 2013. Shipped around 2013 on PS3; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.
  10. Rift Apart

    Rift Apart

    PS5PCAction-platformerMainline

    Rift Apart (2021). Dimensional rifts—Rivet and Emperor Nefarious. It marks the PS5, PC ship window for this chapter.

    Overview
    PS5 showcase—dual protagonists, SSD rifts, and Rivet as alternate Lombax.
    In-game setting
    Latest mainline as of June 2026—continues after Into the Nexus. Use neighboring rows with Rift Apart to align cast continuity across Release and Story.
    Should you play it?
    End of current saga arc—play last on Story order. Play Rift Apart where this Release tab places it; remasters can replace older versions when listed.
    Release date
    US PS5 launch June 11, 2021. PC July 26, 2022. Shipped around 2021 on PS5, PC; prefer current digital editions when originals are awkward.

FAQ

Release vs story order, Future saga block, 2016 reboot vs original, and optional spin-offs.

Release order

For Insomniac mainline Ratchet & Clank they match: play in US launch order from Ratchet & Clank (2002) through Rift Apart (2021). There is no separate anthology chronology—Story rows follow the same 10-game saga as Release.

Full story: all 10 Release rows in order—the complete Lombax arc. Shorter path: Tools of Destruction → Quest for Booty → A Crack in Time → All 4 One → Into the Nexus → Rift Apart (skips PS2 era—FAQ trade-off on character history). PC-only today: Rift Apart on Steam—still play Into the Nexus first if possible via PlayStation collections.

Story & canon

The 2016 Ratchet & Clank (movie tie-in) retells the first game with different presentation—it is not on Release or Story order with the 2002 original. Treat it as an optional alternate entry for newcomers; completionists play the 2002 PS2 game first for the canonical opening.

Tools of Destruction starts the Future arc. Quest for Booty is a short mandatory chapter between Tools and A Crack in Time—do not skip. Then All 4 One → Into the Nexus → Rift Apart. All are Release and Story rows.

Collections & ports

Optional & related

Size Matters and Secret Agent Clank (PSP) are side stories—not Release or Story rows here. Full Frontal Assault / Q-Force is a tower-defense spin-off—FAQ only. Stick to the 10 mainline games for one continuous plot.

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.