Ratchet & Clank

Ratchet & Clank from 2002, by Insomniac Games, creators of Spyro, combined a classic 3D platformer with a shooter and the dark humor of a sci-fi cartoon. The hero is young Lombax mechanic Ratchet, who by chance teams up with a small malfunctioning combat robot named Clank to stop the mad inventor Chairman Drek, who is destroying planets across the Solana galaxy to build an artificial homeworld. The game guides the player across dozens of colorful planets, where platforming jumps and bolt collecting alternate with shootouts using a bizarre arsenal of weapons, iconic examples include the Devastator, the Suck Cannon, or later additions that became synonymous with the studio's madcap humor throughout the series.

Clank doesn't just serve as a dialogue companion, the player carries him on their back like a backpack, and his modules gradually unlock new ways to move, from a brief gliding flight to underwater propulsion. Collected bolts are spent at Gadgetron vending machines on more weapons and gadgets, so exploring planets always comes with a concrete reward. Compared to competing platformers of the time, such as Jak and Daxter or Sly Cooper, Ratchet leaned into a stronger action component and an arsenal that changes the pace of every fight. Its brisk pace, technical polish of the engine, and endless stream of witty dialogue between Ratchet and Clank made it an instant hit and founded one of Sony PlayStation's longest-running franchises.

The original entry still feels fresh today thanks to its combination of action, humor, and inventive weapon design, which defined the direction of the entire series for the next two decades. Insomniac's graphics engine was among the most advanced on the PS2 at the time and allowed for sprawling, detailed planets without significant compromises in frame rate, with each world having its own color palette and architecture. The first game's success launched a franchise that has seen many sequels, spin-offs, and even a feature-length animated film in 2016, placing Ratchet and Clank among Sony's most enduring franchises.