Games Like Ratchet & Clank

Updated June 2026 · data via IGDB

Ratchet & Clank (2016) earns its devoted fanbase through a specific formula: third-person action-platforming built around an ever-expanding arsenal of hilariously inventive weapons, tight level design across distinct alien worlds, and a comedy-driven sci-fi story carried by an endearing duo. The weapon upgrade loop — buying, finding, and leveling up ridiculous tools of destruction — is the heart of the experience, wrapped in Insomniac's signature production polish.

When players ask for "games like Ratchet & Clank," they're really looking for one or more of these things: colorful third-person platforming, imaginative sci-fi humor, a satisfying gadget or weapon progression system, and the feeling of a polished, character-driven adventure that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Top pick: Sunset Overdrive is the single closest match — built by the same studio (Insomniac Games), it shares Ratchet & Clank's absurd weapon variety, vibrant sci-fi tone, and third-person action DNA almost beat for beat, making it the essential first stop for any Ratchet fan.

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20 games like Ratchet & Clank

93%

Sunset Overdrive 2014

Made by Insomniac Games, Sunset Overdrive shares Ratchet & Clank's entire DNA: a massive absurd arsenal, colourful sci-fi open world, comic tone, and over-the-top traversal — it's the closest spiritual sequel.

Key difference: Open-world on Xbox/PC; faster traversal-first movement.
Best for: R&C fans who want the same studio's formula in an open world.
Skip if: You want tight linear levels and a duo partnership story.

PCXbox

Official Steam

Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy cover

92%

Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy 2001

Jak and Daxter is the closest spiritual sibling: a colorful sci-fi platformer with sharp humor, gadget variety, and memorable double-act banter from the same PlayStation 2 era.

Key difference: Darker narrative in later entries; less shooting focus in the first game.
Best for: Fans who want more platformer-first PS-era adventures.
Skip if: You need modern third-person gunplay as the core loop.

PlayStation

Official

85%💎 Gem

Psychonauts 2005

Psychonauts is a third-person platformer dripping in personality and absurdist comedy, with a unique gadget-based progression system and imaginative sci-fi-adjacent worlds to explore.

Key difference: Far more puzzle-oriented; minimal shooting.
Best for: Players who love Ratchet's humor and world-building above all.
Skip if: You're primarily here for the arsenal of wacky guns.

XboxPlayStationPC

Official Steam itch.io GOG

82%

Borderlands 2 2012

Borderlands 2 shares Ratchet & Clank's obsession with increasingly absurd weaponry, sci-fi comedy tone, and colourful alien worlds — just shifted into a loot-shooter RPG framework.

Key difference: First-person perspective; loot-grind loop replaces platforming.
Best for: Players who love the weapon variety and irreverent humor.
Skip if: You dislike first-person shooters or grinding for loot.

PlayStationPCMobileXboxNintendo

Official Steam Epic

82%

Spyro Reignited Trilogy 2018

Spyro Reignited shares Ratchet & Clank's colorful third-person platformer structure, charming mascot personality, and collect-a-thon world exploration with a vibrant remaster coat.

Key difference: No shooting; simpler combat focused on charging and gliding.
Best for: Fans who want accessible, colorful platforming with charm.
Skip if: You need weapon variety and third-person gunplay.

PlayStationPCXboxNintendo

Official Steam

80%

Marvel's Spider-Man 2018

Also made by Insomniac Games, Marvel's Spider-Man shares Ratchet & Clank's polished third-person action, gadget-based combat, and witty character writing — just set in New York rather than space.

Key difference: Open-world structure instead of discrete planets/levels.
Best for: PS4 players who want more Insomniac-quality third-person action.
Skip if: You want the tight linear platforming of classic R&C.

PlayStation

Official

80%

Astro's Playroom 2020

Astro's Playroom is a polished PS5 third-person platformer with inventive gadget mechanics, joyful humor, and a level-to-level sense of discovery that directly recalls Ratchet & Clank.

Key difference: Very short; more of a tech demo than a full game.
Best for: PS5 players who want a quick, joyful Ratchet-like experience.
Skip if: You want a lengthy campaign with deep weapon upgrades.

PlayStation

Official

79%

Super Mario Odyssey 2017

Super Mario Odyssey is the gold standard 3D collect-a-thon platformer: vibrant, inventive worlds, satisfying traversal mechanics, and a joyful tone that matches Ratchet's energy.

Key difference: Nintendo Switch exclusive; no shooting or weapon upgrades.
Best for: Players who want the purest 3D platforming creativity.
Skip if: You need the sci-fi setting and shooting combat.

Nintendo

Official

76%💎 Gem

Sly 2: Band of Thieves 2024

Sly 2 is a PS2/PS3-era third-person stealth-platformer with sharp comedy, a lovable trio dynamic, and inventive heist-themed worlds that share Ratchet & Clank's playful PS-era charm.

Key difference: Stealth-focused gameplay; no shooting or weapon upgrades.
Best for: Players who love Ratchet's character writing and PS-era adventure.
Skip if: You want action-heavy gunplay as the primary loop.

PlayStation

74%

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2013

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is a family-friendly action-adventure crammed with humor, collectibles, and superhero gadgets that scratches the same comic action-platformer itch as Ratchet & Clank.

Key difference: LEGO visual style; simpler, less demanding combat.
Best for: Younger players or fans who want maximum content and humor.
Skip if: You want challenging, refined gunplay and platforming.

PlayStationPCNintendoXbox

Official Steam

73%

LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga 2007

LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga packs in sci-fi comedy, third-person brawling, and collectible-hunting across cartoon-style levels — a clear tonal cousin to Ratchet & Clank.

Key difference: Simpler mechanics aimed at younger audiences.
Best for: Co-op play with kids or newcomers to action games.
Skip if: You want sharp shooting mechanics or weapon upgrades.

PlayStationNintendoMobilePCXbox

Official Steam GOG

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time cover

72%

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time 2003

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is a tight third-person platformer-adventure with clever traversal mechanics, light combat, and a witty protagonist duo dynamic similar to Ratchet and Clank.

Key difference: Fantasy setting; time-manipulation instead of gadgets/guns.
Best for: Players who love precise platforming and a strong duo dynamic.
Skip if: You want vibrant sci-fi color and heavy shooting.

XboxPlayStationNintendoPC

Official Steam GOG

Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back cover

72%

Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back 1997

Crash Bandicoot 2 is an immediate third-person platformer with inventive level design and a playful sci-fi-adjacent tone — a clear predecessor to what Ratchet & Clank grew from.

Key difference: Linear corridor platformer; no shooting or weapon variety.
Best for: Retro platformer fans who want tight, focused challenge.
Skip if: You need open exploration and an upgrade system.

PlayStationMobile

72%

Crash Bandicoot: Warped 1998

Crash Bandicoot: Warped adds gadgets and variety to the Crash formula, making it feel even closer to early Ratchet & Clank in its themed-world structure and power-up unlocks.

Key difference: No shooting; very short by modern standards.
Best for: Players who want pure platforming progression.
Skip if: You need a lengthy campaign with RPG-style upgrades.

PlayStation

72%

Super Mario 3D World 2013

Super Mario 3D World delivers tight co-op platforming with inventive themed worlds and power-up variety that echoes Ratchet & Clank's level-to-level sense of playful discovery.

Key difference: Nintendo-exclusive; pure platforming with no shooting.
Best for: Co-op players who want accessible, polished fun.
Skip if: You primarily want the sci-fi shooter progression loop.

Nintendo

Official

70%

Portal 2 2011

Portal 2 shares Ratchet & Clank's witty sci-fi comedy and inventive gadget-based puzzle-solving, with a memorable double-act and Valve's signature world-building polish.

Key difference: Pure puzzle-platformer; no combat or traditional shooting.
Best for: Players who love R&C's humor and sci-fi gadget creativity.
Skip if: You want action-heavy shooting and a weapon upgrade system.

PlayStationPCXboxNintendo

Official Steam

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door cover

68%

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door 2004

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door wraps a colorful action-RPG in sharp comedy writing and inventive world-hopping, sharing Ratchet & Clank's knack for fourth-wall-aware humor and varied setpieces.

Key difference: Turn-based RPG combat instead of real-time shooting.
Best for: Players who prioritize writing, humor, and world variety.
Skip if: You want real-time action and gunplay.

Nintendo

Official

65%

Kingdom Hearts 2002

Kingdom Hearts blends colorful action-adventure platforming with Disney humor and heart, offering a similar mix of accessible combat, memorable characters, and fantastical world-hopping.

Key difference: Fantasy-Disney setting; melee-focused instead of guns.
Best for: Players who love R&C's sense of wonder and character warmth.
Skip if: You want a sci-fi setting and weapon variety.

PlayStation

Official

62%

Cuphead 2017

Cuphead's run-and-gun platformer structure echoes Ratchet & Clank's emphasis on pattern-based bosses and projectile combat, delivered with a wildly distinctive 1930s cartoon aesthetic.

Key difference: Brutally difficult; no weapon upgrade or exploration system.
Best for: Players who want shooter-platformer challenge dialed to 11.
Skip if: You want a casual, story-driven experience.

PlayStationPCXboxNintendo

Official Steam GOG

60%

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2008

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed shares Ratchet & Clank's sci-fi setting and third-person action structure with over-the-top power-based combat and a cinematic, character-driven story.

Key difference: Darker, more serious tone; melee Force powers replace guns.
Best for: Star Wars fans who want a shorter cinematic action romp.
Skip if: You need the humor and weapon-upgrade progression loop.

PlayStationMobileXbox

Official

At a glance

Game	Match	Shared DNA	Biggest difference	Platforms
Sunset Overdrive	93%	Shooter, Platform	Open-world on Xbox/PC; faster traversal-first movement.	PC, Xbox
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy	92%	Platform, Adventure	Darker narrative in later entries; less shooting focus in the first game.	PlayStation
Psychonauts	85%	Platform, Adventure	Far more puzzle-oriented; minimal shooting.	Xbox, PlayStation, PC
Borderlands 2	82%	Shooter, Action	First-person perspective; loot-grind loop replaces platforming.	PlayStation, PC, Mobile, Xbox, Nintendo
Spyro Reignited Trilogy	82%	Platform, Adventure	No shooting; simpler combat focused on charging and gliding.	PlayStation, PC, Xbox, Nintendo
Marvel's Spider-Man	80%	Adventure, Action	Open-world structure instead of discrete planets/levels.	PlayStation
Astro's Playroom	80%	Platform, Adventure	Very short; more of a tech demo than a full game.	PlayStation
Super Mario Odyssey	79%	Platform, Adventure	Nintendo Switch exclusive; no shooting or weapon upgrades.	Nintendo
Sly 2: Band of Thieves	76%	Platform, Adventure	Stealth-focused gameplay; no shooting or weapon upgrades.	PlayStation
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes	74%	Adventure, Action	LEGO visual style; simpler, less demanding combat.	PlayStation, PC, Nintendo, Xbox
LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga	73%	Platform, Adventure	Simpler mechanics aimed at younger audiences.	PlayStation, Nintendo, Mobile, PC, Xbox
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time	72%	Platform, Adventure	Fantasy setting; time-manipulation instead of gadgets/guns.	Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, PC
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back	72%	Platform, Adventure	Linear corridor platformer; no shooting or weapon variety.	PlayStation, Mobile
Crash Bandicoot: Warped	72%	Platform, Adventure	No shooting; very short by modern standards.	PlayStation
Super Mario 3D World	72%	Platform, Action	Nintendo-exclusive; pure platforming with no shooting.	Nintendo

What Makes a Game Feel Like Ratchet & Clank?

The hallmarks are: a third-person perspective that blends shooting with platforming, a roster of increasingly ridiculous upgradeable weapons, colorful alien/sci-fi environments, and comedy that earns genuine laughs rather than eye-rolls. Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy hits nearly every note — same PS-era mascot platformer energy, sci-fi setting, and sharp banter — while Psychonauts nails the humor and gadget-driven world traversal even if it skews more toward platforming puzzles than gunplay.

For the weapon-variety side of R&C, Borderlands 2 is the closest structural analog: an absurd sci-fi world, comedy writing that lands, and an obsession with giving the player more and more interesting tools of destruction — just delivered through a loot-shooter lens instead of a platformer one.

Best Picks If You Love the Insomniac Games Feel

Marvel's Spider-Man (also by Insomniac) is the most direct descendant in terms of studio craftsmanship: polished third-person action, gadget variety, witty writing, and a genuine affection for its protagonist. It trades discrete alien planets for an open-world New York but maintains the same responsive, expressive movement design. If you want that feeling on PS5, Astro's Playroom (listed in our additional picks) delivers a short but pitch-perfect Ratchet-adjacent experience built into the hardware itself.

Hidden Gems Worth Your Time

Psychonauts is frequently overlooked on "games like Ratchet & Clank" lists because it lacks heavy gunplay, but its platformer creativity, absurdist comedy, and gadget-based world exploration make it one of the best spiritual matches in the genre — and its 2021 sequel Psychonauts 2 improves on every front. Similarly, Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy was a direct competitor to the original Ratchet & Clank on PS2 and remains an underplayed gem for anyone who hasn't revisited it on PS3/PS4 via the HD collection.

More games to explore

Frequently asked questions

What is the closest game to Ratchet & Clank on PC or Xbox?

Sunset Overdrive (available on Xbox and PC) is the closest match — it was made by Insomniac Games and shares the same absurd weapon variety, sci-fi humor, and third-person action structure. Psychonauts and Psychonauts 2 are also on PC and offer a strong platformer-with-gadgets experience in a similar comic tone.

Are there any games like Ratchet & Clank for kids?

Yes — the LEGO Marvel Super Heroes and LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga games are the most accessible options for younger players, offering the same mix of humor, sci-fi action, and collectible-hunting at a gentler difficulty. Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario 3D World are also excellent family-friendly picks with top-tier platforming.

What is the best Ratchet & Clank alternative on Nintendo Switch?

Super Mario Odyssey is the strongest Switch alternative, capturing the colorful world-hopping and inventive platforming feel. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe scratches the fun multiplayer itch, while Cuphead offers a more challenging shooter-platformer experience.

Is Jak and Daxter similar to Ratchet & Clank?

Very much so. Both series were developed simultaneously for PS2 and share nearly identical DNA: third-person platforming with a comedic sci-fi setting, a double-act protagonist duo, gadget/weapon progression, and vibrant alien worlds to explore. Jak and Daxter is the most direct like-for-like alternative from the same era.

Does Borderlands 2 scratch the same itch as Ratchet & Clank?

Partially — if what you love most about Ratchet & Clank is the arsenal of increasingly ridiculous weapons and the irreverent sci-fi comedy, Borderlands 2 delivers both in abundance. However, it's a first-person loot shooter with a grinding progression loop, so players primarily drawn to the platforming and tight level design of R&C may find it a weaker fit.