Ratchet & Clank Collection

Description

The Ratchet & Clank Trilogy is a handheld remaster of the original PlayStation 2 titles, developed by Mass Media who ported the high-definition assets originally created by Idol Minds for the PS3 version. This collection brought the foundational Lombax and Robot adventures to a portable format for the first time.

The trilogy includes the complete single-player campaigns of the first three entries: Ratchet & Clank (2002), Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando (2003), and Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (2004). The narrative follows the unlikely duo as they evolve from reluctant allies in the Solana Galaxy to legendary heroes. The gameplay is a definitive blend of 3D platforming and third-person shooting, centered on an ever-expanding arsenal of bizarre weaponry that levels up through use. While the core experience remains intact, the Vita version omits the online multiplayer mode originally found in Up Your Arsenal.

The Vita port makes several concessions to fit the hardware. Unlike the 60 FPS performance of the PS2 and PS3 versions, the Vita trilogy targets a steady 30 FPS. While the resolution is lower than its home console counterparts, the vibrant, stylised art direction is often praised for looking particularly crisp on the Vita’s smaller screen. One of the most significant changes is the control scheme: due to the Vita’s lack of L2 and R2 buttons, these functions critical for strafing and crouching are mapped to the rear touchpad. This mechanical shift often makes the game feel more natural when played with a physical L2/R2 grip attachment.

Retrospectively, the collection was a redemption for Mass Media following their technically troubled Jak and Daxter Vita port. While it suffers from minor legacy issues such as input latency in the first game and occasional FMV aspect ratio stretching, it was otherwise a polished presentation providing a massive amount of content on a single title. Notably the physical release was exclusive to Europe and Australia, whereas it remained a digital-only title in North America.