PSP impressions: Ratchet and Clank

by Adams Briscoe { May 10th 2006 at 4:30PM }

At first glance, this portable platformer shares an uncanny resemblance to the PS2 iteration. Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters takes advantage of the PSP's power very well. There were a few little nuances that stood out, but considering it was only a demo, it still means good things for platforming fans on Sony's portable.

At first, the PlayStation Portable that I tried out was loading the game so slow that the tech guy told me to check another one because he thought there must have been something wrong with the console. So I took a different spot and gave it a try.

One of the first things I noticed was the load time... again. The PSP isn't famous for lightning fast loading periods though, and considering some titles we've seen, this issue was quite negligible. The graphics were very good for the portable system. However the demo that I got my hands on didn't convey any other sort of innovation to the series. As far as bringing the look and feel of Ratchet and Clank to mobile gamers, Size Matters does a good job of that.

If you're hankering for a solid platformer on the PSP, here's your game.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

iceatcs @ May 10th 2006 4:38PM

Joystiq, please use the open mind,

Einhanderkiller @ May 10th 2006 4:55PM

"If you're hankering for a solid platformer on the PSP, here's your game."
http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/daxter/index.html?q=daxter

Dan Choi @ May 10th 2006 4:59PM

Point taken, Einhanderkiller. ;)

Graham Hancock @ May 10th 2006 5:06PM

Looks good. I was addicted to the Daxter platformer when it released. Hopefully this R&C game will be fun as well.

Magnus @ May 10th 2006 5:31PM

Daxter is the best game for the psp lol, ratchet and jack series have always gone hand in hand, (in J&D:2 there was a R&C sign in the city, was pretty funny)

They're both good series and I'm glad hes made his way to the psp

Agent X @ May 10th 2006 8:08PM

Those screens look great!

Hopefully they will have the loading time reduced to a minimum. Daxter did a magnificent job of offering a full-fledged, console-quality platform game on PSP with very little load time. I'm optimistic that the developers of this game will be able to do the same.

B1gC72 @ May 11th 2006 1:10AM

yea Jak & Daxter and Rachet & Clank are the Crash and Spyro of today (obviously since they were created by the same people, Naughty Dog and Insomniac respectively). and Daxter was a really good game but i felt it was 2 short and really didnt get very difficult. and i really missed that GTA feel with being able to interact with townsfolk, shoot stuff, and steal cars and stuff.

but this is about Rachet & Clank lol.

cant wait for this game, i always love a good platformer. hope its as good as the console versions have been in the past.