Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters lands on the PSP in 2007 as the first entry in the series built outside Insomniac Games. High Impact Games, spun off from the studio that created the original Ratchet & Clank, took over development, and the result splits the difference between faithful and different. It’s a shooter, a platformer, and an adventure game all at once, and it mostly earns its keep across three console generations.
Trailer, via DownClicks.
Vacation Interrupted
The story opens on Pokitaru, where Ratchet and Clank meet Luna, a little girl writing a school report on heroes. She is kidnapped almost immediately by mysterious robots, and Clank finds a strange artifact from an ancient race called the Technomites. Ratchet is skeptical; Clank believes they exist. Together they set out to save Luna, and along the way they run into Captain Qwark, who is hunting his biological parents.
The setup is simple and effective. The game knows it’s a quest to rescue a kid, and it doesn’t waste time dressing it up. The Technomites become the real villain once the truth comes out: Luna is a robotic puppet, and the Technomites want to steal the intelligence of every being in the galaxy.
Clank Takes the Wheel
The biggest change from past entries is that Clank himself becomes a playable character, and he drives a set of Gadgebots. The player controls Giant Clank during space combat, and arena battles let Clank drive a variety of vehicles. It’s a small addition that changes the rhythm of the game, and it works well enough that the shift feels natural rather than forced.
The gadgets return too. The Lacerator upgrades to Dual Lacerators, and mods can be bought from Slim Cognito vendors. Old favorites like the Hypershot, Bolt Grabber, and R.Y.N.O. Nanotech all show up. Health upgrades are available, and bolts remain the currency that unlocks everything.
The Shrinking Problem
Size Matters introduces a shrinking device, and it comes with a problem. When Clank gets infected by a computer virus and malfunctions, Ratchet shrinks himself to go inside Clank’s body. He meets an internal security system, and together they eliminate the intruders and restart Clank’s processor. The sequence is clever, even if it leans on a premise that feels borrowed from other games in the genre.
The gadget that lets Ratchet shrink himself is the real star here. It’s a new tool that fits the game’s central theme, and it’s used consistently throughout the campaign. The game also adds a new armor system where parts are found in levels rather than bought from special vendors, giving each suit its own unique advantage.
Arena Battles and Skyboard Racing
Arena battles with Clank driving vehicles are a highlight. They break up the standard platforming sections and give the game some variety. Skyboard racing challenges are also back, letting players win bolts, gadgets, and new armor pieces.
The arena battles are the best reason to keep playing. They’re fast, chaotic, and they let you feel the weight of the vehicles behind you. The skyboard racing is less essential but still pleasant, offering a quick way to pick up extra gear between missions.
Qwark’s Family Troubles
Captain Qwark is back, and this time he’s looking for his biological parents. Ratchet lets him use the ship’s computer to aid in his search, hoping it will make him stop following them. Later, Qwark is convinced by Otto Destruct that he is his father, and he temporarily fights on Otto’s side. The twist is funny, and it gives the game a reason to keep Qwark around beyond his usual role as comic relief.
The final act brings everything together. Luna reveals the clone plot, Otto admits his real plan is to steal intelligence, and Qwark’s parents are revealed to have been killed by defective Technomite equipment. The ending ties the story threads together without resolving them completely, leaving room for future installments.
PS2 Port and PSP Performance
The PS2 version was released the following year. It received mixed reviews, while the PSP version got generally positive ones. The game sold 4.4 million units. In July 2024, the PSP version was re-released for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
| Platform | Release Year | Critical Reception |
|---|---|---|
| PSP | 2007 | Generally positive |
| PS2 | Following year | Mixed |
What Works, What Doesn’t
The game is at its best when it’s moving forward. The story is easy to follow, the gadgets are satisfying to upgrade, and the arenas are fun to play through. It falls short when it relies too heavily on familiar systems from earlier games in the series. The lack of access to weapons and gadgets from previous games is a notable absence, though additional skins can be unlocked on Secret Agent Clank if the player has a Size Matters save.
The challenge mode, which offers a harder version of the game with tougher enemies, is a welcome addition for those who want more. It carries over all weapons, armor, and bolts acquired so far, so there’s no need to start from scratch.
Key Facts Box
– Platforms: PSP, PS2
– Developer: High Impact Games
– Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
– Released: 2007
– Sold: 4.4 million units
– Re-released: PSP version in July 2024
Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters is a solid entry in the series that leans on what works rather than trying to reinvent the wheel. It’s a competent, sometimes clever adventure that respects the characters and the world it built around them. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a worthy addition to the collection.
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