What Happened to Ratchet & Clank series?
The Ratchet & Clank series is a long-running action-adventure platformer franchise developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Originating in 2002, it has consistently delivered innovative gameplay, unique weaponry, and humorous storytelling across multiple PlayStation generations. While Insomniac Games has recently focused heavily on its successful Marvel titles, the series continues to see new developments, including a mobile game in 2026 and rumors of a future mainline installment.
Quick Answer
The Ratchet & Clank series, developed by Insomniac Games, remains a beloved PlayStation franchise known for its action-adventure gameplay and quirky humor. Its latest mainline entry, *Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart*, released for PS5 in 2021 and later for PC in 2023. As of September 2026, a new free-to-play mobile hero shooter, *Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble*, has been announced for an October 2026 release. While Insomniac is currently prioritizing its Marvel projects, there are rumors and internal roadmaps suggesting a new mainline Ratchet & Clank game could arrive around 2029.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Original Ratchet & Clank Released
Insomniac Games launches the first Ratchet & Clank game on PlayStation 2, introducing the iconic duo and establishing the series' core gameplay.
Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters Released
The first handheld title in the series, developed by High Impact Games, is released for the PlayStation Portable, later coming to PS2.
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time Released
This critically acclaimed title concludes the 'Future' saga on PlayStation 3, deepening the lore and character development.
Ratchet & Clank Film and PS4 Game Released
An animated feature film adaptation and a reimagining of the original game for PlayStation 4 are released simultaneously. The film was a box office failure.
Sony Acquires Insomniac Games
Sony Interactive Entertainment announces its acquisition of Insomniac Games for $229 million, making the studio a first-party developer.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Released
The latest mainline installment launches as a PlayStation 5 exclusive, lauded for its technical prowess and innovative use of the console's SSD.
20th Anniversary Celebrations
The franchise celebrates its 20th anniversary with a free 20th Anniversary Armor Pack for *Rift Apart* and the addition of classic games to PlayStation Plus Premium.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart PC Release
Nixxes Software ports *Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart* to PC, making it the first game in the series available on a non-PlayStation platform.
Insomniac Games Ransomware Attack
Insomniac Games is targeted by a ransomware attack, leading to the public leak of private data, including internal roadmaps and project details.
Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble Announced
A new free-to-play mobile hero shooter, *Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble*, is officially revealed, developed by Oh Bibi in collaboration with PlayStation Studios and Insomniac Games.
Marvel's Wolverine Released by Insomniac
Insomniac Games releases *Marvel's Wolverine* for PlayStation 5, marking its latest major console title and continuing its focus on Marvel IPs.
Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble Release
The mobile game *Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble* is rumored to be released, bringing the franchise to a new platform and audience.
Next Mainline Ratchet & Clank Game
Based on leaked roadmaps and industry speculation, a new mainline Ratchet & Clank game from Insomniac is rumored for release, potentially for the PS6 generation.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Ratchet & Clank series began its illustrious journey on the PlayStation 2 in 2002, quickly establishing itself as a flagship title for Sony with its blend of action-adventure, platforming, and third-person shooter mechanics. Developed primarily by Insomniac Games, the franchise is celebrated for its imaginative arsenal of weapons, diverse alien worlds, and comedic narrative featuring the Lombax mechanic Ratchet and his robotic companion Clank.
Over two decades, the series has seen numerous installments across PlayStation consoles, including the 'Future' saga on PS3 and a 2016 reimagining of the original game for PS4, which coincided with an animated feature film. The film, however, was a critical and commercial disappointment, grossing only $14-14.4 million against a $20 million budget.
A significant turning point for Insomniac Games and, by extension, the Ratchet & Clank series, occurred in August 2019 when Sony Interactive Entertainment acquired the studio for $229 million. This acquisition solidified Insomniac's position within PlayStation Studios, allowing for greater resources but also influencing its development pipeline. The studio's focus shifted considerably towards its highly successful Marvel titles, such as Marvel's Spider-Man and its sequels.
The most recent mainline entry, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, launched in June 2021 as a PlayStation 5 exclusive, showcasing the console's advanced capabilities with seamless dimensional shifts and stunning visuals. The game was a critical success, selling over 1.1 million units by July 2021 and approximately 3.97 million units by June 2023. It proved profitable, generating $145 million in net sales by February 2022 against an $81-85 million budget. In July 2023, Rift Apart made its debut on PC, ported by Nixxes Software, further expanding its reach.
As of September 2026, the Ratchet & Clank universe continues to expand with the announcement of Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble, a free-to-play mobile hero shooter developed by Oh Bibi in collaboration with PlayStation Studios and Insomniac Games. This mobile title is rumored for an October 5, 2026 release. Meanwhile, Insomniac Games released Marvel's Wolverine on September 15, 2026, and is reportedly working on Marvel's Venom for 2027 and Marvel's Spider-Man 3 for 2029. While a new mainline Ratchet & Clank game from Insomniac is not immediately on the horizon, internal roadmaps and industry speculation suggest a potential return for the duo around 2029, possibly as a PlayStation 6 launch title, ensuring the beloved franchise's future despite Insomniac's current Marvel commitments.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Ratchet & Clank series made different choices?