10 Times Ratchet and Clank Infiltrated Other Games

“Among Us” (2018)

It’s peculiar how “Among Us” managed to explode two years after launch. Here we are in 2022, and suddenly, everyone wants in on the asymmetrical multiplayer craze, including Sony. In May 2021, Sony and developer Innersloth announced “Ratchet & Clank” cosmetics would be implemented in the PS4 and PS5 versions of “Among Us”. As of March 2022, you could dress your Crewmate up with Ratchet’s ears and armor and even get Clank as a pet! It makes us wonder if we’ll see any other gaming icons get thrown into the game in the near future.

“Ape Escape 3” (2006)

The “Ape Escape” games have crossed over with so many gaming franchises both in and outside of the PlayStation family. Of the games, “Ape Escape 3” is the one that featured several references to various gaming franchises like “Crash Bandicoot”, “Metal Gear”, and yes, “Ratchet & Clank”. First, type in the password “SAL3000” before heading to the “Space-TV Fortress” level. Flip the Ratchet tile, and you’ll be given the chance to catch a special monkey dressed up with Lombax ears, a Clank jetpack, and equipped with a RYNO.

“LittleBIGPlanet” series (2007-)

“LittleBigPlanet” has featured costumes and cosmetics from several IPs across not just video games, but TV and movies as well. Of course, the franchise being a PlayStation property, it makes sense that the series would allow Ratchet and Clank to take part in the creatively crafty fun. From the first “LittleBigPlanet 2” to “LittleBigPlanet Karting” to “Sackboy: A Big Adventure”, players could download costumes based on the unlikely duo and venture forth into LBP’s imaginative worlds while showing off their love for “Ratchet & Clank”.

“ModNation Racers” (2010)

Speaking of games focused on user-created content, “ModNation Racers” was one of the PS3’s many unsung heroes, showing the world that Sony could compete in the kart-racing market alongside “Mario Kart”. One of the coolest aspects of this game’s post-launch life was the addition of PlayStation mascots as playable racers. Though initially a pre-order exclusive for Amazon, Ratchet and Clank were eventually made available to purchase for all “ModNation Racers” owners. The only downside to their inclusion was that they didn’t come with their own custom kart like Kratos, Sweet Tooth, and even Sly Cooper did.

“Super Bomberman R” (2017)

“Super Bomberman R” is perhaps the oddest of the bunch on this list as every port got some exclusive guest characters. Whereas Xbox owners got “Halo’s” Master Chief and PC players got Atlas and P-Body from “Portal 2”, PlayStation owners got bombers of Toro, the kitty mascot of Sony Japan, the Pipo Monkey from “Ape Escape”, and of course, Ratchet & Clank. As a Speed bomber, Ratchet can quickly avoid blasts and set up bombs for potential chain explosions. On top of that, he can use his trusty pistol to shoot enemies or even safely defuse bombs to escape death.

“Resistance” series (2006-11)

Having been developed by Insomniac Games, it only makes sense that “Ratchet & Clank” would pop up in this slightly more grounded sci-fi shooter. While there are a few references to our favorite Lombax in “Resistance: Fall of Man”, we want to turn our attention to “Resistance 2” as that has the better cameo. After completing one hundred Skill Points, a feat achieved by very few players, you will unlock a special Clank backpack for your online multiplayer character. In addition to having a cute Warbot on your back, you’ll also get to wear Ratchet’s MagnaBoots so long as you have Clank equipped.

“Ghost of Tsushima” (2020)

With “Ghost of Tsushima” being the last true PS4 exclusive, developer Sucker Punch Productions went and threw in a meaty Easter egg for PlayStation fans. After finishing the main campaign, you will respawn at a desolated home. Inside is a table displaying various origami pieces, all of them referencing the dozen or so titles we saw throughout the PS4 era. “Horizon Zero Dawn”, “Final Fantasy VII Remake”, and yes, “Ratchet & Clank” are all being referenced here, and it’s why so many people have named “Ghost of Tsushima” as the PS4’s perfect finale.

“Hot Shots Golf Fore!” (2004)

You know, “Hot Shots Golf” always seems to be in the conversation when we do these kinds of lists. At this point, we may as well do a 10 Best “Hot Shots” Guest Characters or something. Like so many other PlayStation characters, Ratchet managed to sneak his way into the franchise. This cameo was kind of a shocker, though, as the “Ratchet & Clank” franchise was still young when “Fore” launched. Even so, this is still a cool cameo from the Lombax that’s fun to look back on every once in a while.

“Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time” (2013)

Considering “Ratchet & Clank” have been a third of the PS2 trinity of mascots, it only makes sense that the three would intersect with each other at some point (not including “PlayStation Move Heroes”). Oddly enough, “Sly Cooper” wouldn’t reference the shooter series until its fourth game. Players could find a treasure called the Medieval Metal Man, a statue that depicts Clank dressed in knight armor. The biggest reward, however, was finding all fifty Sly masks across the game. Doing this would allow you to trade Sly’s cane in for Ratchet’s Omniwrench, turning all coins into bolts and doubling their value…which in hindsight, is kinda useless for something so late in the game, but we’ll take it.

“Jak & Daxter” series (2001-09)

Ratchet and Jak have crossed paths with each other a number of times, even before “PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale” and “PlayStation Move Heroes”. They were BOTH guest golfers in “Hot Shots Golf Fore”. Ratchet appeared on posters throughout Haven City in “Jak II”. “Jak 3” had Ratchet and Clank as shooting gallery targets. Daxter’s spin-off adventure allowed him to collect masks, two of which were Ratchet and Clank. And lest we forget the awesome cross-save functionality in “Jak X Combat Racing” that unlocked Ratchet as a secret racer? You just don’t see this insane amount of crossing over between PlayStation properties anymore.