Sony Released the Perfect Platformer on PS2 21 Years Ago

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Twenty-one years ago, a truly exceptional platforming game was released on the PlayStation 2, and many still consider it the best of all time. Platforming games have been around since the very beginning of video games, starting with classics like Space Panic, Donkey Kong, and Super Mario Bros. This genre remains popular today, as evidenced by ongoing titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong and Donkey Kong Bananza, proving its enduring appeal.

Released 21 years ago today, this game is a standout title in its genre. As the third installment in a highly praised PlayStation series, it wasn’t just visually appealing and easy to control. It featured remarkably deep gameplay and a strong narrative woven directly into the experience – a combination few games since have been able to replicate. This platformer is almost perfect and continues to be a shining example of the incredible range of games available on the PlayStation 2.

Ratchet And Clank: Up Your Arsenal Escalates The Universe In Some Key Ways

Insomniac Games’ Up Your Arsenal, the third game in the Ratchet & Clank series, was a significant improvement over its predecessors and is still considered one of the greatest platforming games of all time. It broadened the game’s universe with more diverse worlds, each offering unique challenges and gameplay elements to match the expanded scope. Having proven themselves in previous adventures, Ratchet and Clank are now officially recruited to help battle the evil Dr. Nefarious.

The story brings together returning characters and introduces a host of new, uniquely designed personalities, expanding the game’s universe. Central to the plot is Captain Qwark, who went from a small-time villain to the main antagonist in the previous game. Now, he’s a funny yet formidable character, and his journey towards redemption is a key part of the story, prompting players to consider what truly defines a hero.

The game felt like a true adventure thanks to its huge world and important mission. Scattered throughout the large levels were optional tasks and items that allowed players to upgrade Ratchet from a typical hero into a powerful force. With over twenty different weapons and tons of ways to customize them, players could tailor the experience to their liking while enjoying the game’s memorable and well-developed characters.

Ratchet And Clank: Up Your Arsenal Has More Depth Than Any Other Platformer

Up Your Arsenal strikes a perfect balance between fast-paced action and skillful platforming. It improves on earlier games by offering tighter controls and better gameplay design, avoiding the overly combat-focused approach of Ratchet: Deadlocked. The game seamlessly blends action and exploration, encouraging players to discover hidden areas and engage in exciting battles. As you unlock new gadgets throughout the adventure, you’ll revisit planets with fresh abilities, requiring thorough exploration of the galaxy to succeed.

The game’s large levels were perfect for tricky jumping challenges, and the arena areas offered a great space to practice and improve. The weapons are as fun and over-the-top as ever, and the selection is even better this time around. The Rift Ripper, a gun that fires both energy blasts and creates a portable black hole, is still one of my all-time favorite weapons in any game. Beyond just the action and platforming, Up Your Arsenal is surprisingly deep. The ‘Vid Comics’ – which are used to recover Captain Qwark’s memories – are designed as classic 2D side-scrolling levels, clearly inspired by older action-platformers like Mega Man that originally influenced this series.

The game featured a lot of variety in its levels. Some turned into fast-paced races reminiscent of Mario Kart, complete with speed boosts and hovercraft-like vehicles. Hacking sections were cleverly designed mini-games where you collected green code while dodging red obstacles. Many of the most engaging parts of the game put you in control of Clank, either solving puzzles as the little robot or transforming into the enormous “Giant Clank,” playing like a Godzilla game. These diverse modes showcased the incredible creativity and depth of gameplay Insomniac Games brought to Up Your Arsenal. And that’s not even mentioning the extensive multiplayer, which offered large-scale combat and capture-the-flag missions. Overall, it was a remarkably ambitious and expansive game, especially for its time.

Ratchet And Clank’s Best Game Is A G.O.A.T. Platformer

Even after all these years, Up Your Arsenal just feels…right. It did so much, but it never felt bloated or like it was trying to be something it wasn’t. All the changes to how the game played actually fit the over-the-top, cartoonish sci-fi story they were telling. It wasn’t about adding a bunch of random stuff; it felt like they took everything that made the first game’s platforming and action so good and just polished it up, making it even better. It really stood out then, and honestly, it still does.

With its striking visuals – which still hold up well thanks to a classic cartoon style – Up Your Arsenal truly felt like playing through a vibrant animated movie. Reviews were overwhelmingly positive upon release, earning it a 91/100 score on Metacritic and solidifying its place as one of the greatest games on the PlayStation 2. It’s remarkably polished; even criticisms tended to focus on how it compared to its excellent predecessors.

The Ratchet & Clank series has always been strong, but Up Your Arsenal really stands out as a high point. It features unforgettable characters, polished gameplay, and a well-developed world. The game is packed with features, yet it still maintains the excellent core gameplay that fans loved in the first two installments.

Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal is a standout platformer. It’s incredibly deep and rewarding for skilled players, but also accessible for anyone just starting out. The game was a technical marvel on the PlayStation 2, and it remained consistently fun thanks to its varied gameplay and arsenal of weapons. It’s easily one of my all-time favorite games, and my appreciation for it has only grown over the past 21 years.

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2025-11-04 02:41