Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters stays true to the franchise’s formula, delivering tight 3D action platforming on the PSP. Players control Ratchet’s acrobatic moves—running, jumping, and climbing—while Clank assists with puzzle-solving elements and unique minigames. The core loop of platforming, combat, and exploration remains engaging as you traverse vibrant planets and abandoned industrial complexes on the hunt for clues about the Technomites.

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The game’s arsenal is one of its standout features, offering a balanced mix of returning favorites like the Agents of Doom, Hypershot, and Suck Cannon, alongside brand-new weapons designed specifically for the handheld. Each gun can be upgraded through an RPG-like experience system, allowing you to purchase mods that tweak firing rate, damage, or special effects—you’ll recognize the familiar progression mechanics from Up Your Arsenal but tailored to a portable experience.

Beyond standard combat, Size Matters spices things up with a variety of minigames. Ratchet’s hovercraft races test your reflexes as you weave through obstacle courses, while commanding Giant Clank in epic space battles adds a strategic layer to the action. Clank’s battle robot arenas introduce arena-style skirmishes that break up the platforming and keep the pace fresh. This assortment of gameplay styles ensures each session feels varied, whether you’re sneaking through corridors, racing across desert landscapes, or dogfighting in space.

Graphics

Given the PSP’s technical constraints, Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters delivers surprisingly polished visuals. Character models retain the franchise’s signature cartoony charm, with expressive animations that bring Ratchet and Clank’s banter to life. Environments are richly detailed, featuring industrial factories, lush jungles, and sci-fi laboratories, each with vibrant color palettes that pop on the handheld screen.

While the resolution and draw distance can’t match console counterparts, clever level design and art direction mask many hardware limitations. Textures load smoothly once in view, and the game maintains a steady framerate even during hectic firefights. Occasional pop-in occurs, but it rarely disrupts immersion. Lighting and particle effects—explosions, weapon blasts, and environmental hazards—are handled deftly, reinforcing that this is more than just a downsized port.

Menus and HUD elements are cleanly laid out, making weapon selection and mod upgrades intuitive on the PSP’s single analog nub. Though there’s no touch input, developers have mapped controls effectively, ensuring quick swaps between weapons and gadgets without fumbling. Overall, the visual presentation stands as a testament to what the PSP could achieve in the hands of an experienced studio.

Story

Size Matters weaves an original narrative that sees Ratchet and Clank drawn into a mysterious quest when they encounter the Technomites, a forgotten race of genius inventors bent on creating an army of clones. The intrigue builds steadily as you discover more about the Technomites’ motivations and the dark secrets buried in their laboratories. Lighthearted humor underpins the plot, with Ratchet’s wisecracks and Clank’s dry wit providing constant comic relief.

Cutscenes are fully voiced and well-paced, offering cinematic flair that rivals the console entries. Although the story doesn’t break bold new ground, it strikes the right balance of action, mystery, and humor that longtime fans expect. Supporting characters pop in and out with memorable one-liners, and cliffhanger moments keep you invested in the quest to thwart the Technomites’ cloning scheme.

Side missions and collectibles—armor pieces that grant extra abilities when grouped into complete sets—add optional depth to the narrative experience. Collecting full armor sets feels rewarding, both mechanically and narratively, as each new ability ties into the unfolding plot, granting you the tools needed to overcome tougher Technomite creations.

Overall Experience

Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters proves that the PSP was more than capable of hosting full-fledged, console-quality adventures. The blend of platforming, shooting, puzzle-solving, and minigames means there’s always something new to try, making the thirty-plus hour campaign fly by. Armor customization and weapon upgrades provide satisfying progression, and the varied planetary environments never feel repetitive.

Multiplayer support via Wi-Fi Ad Hoc or Infrastructure adds significant replay value, offering DeathMatch, Team DeathMatch, Capture the Flag, and the quirky Iron Lombox Challenge. Whether you’re loading cows into a meat truck or stealing power cells from the enemy team, these modes extend the fun long after the single-player story ends.

Minor hiccups—such as occasional texture pop-in or longer load times—are easily overshadowed by the game’s strengths. For fans of Ratchet & Clank or newcomers seeking a robust portable action-platformer, Size Matters delivers an impressive package. Its engaging gameplay loops, charming story, and technical polish make it a standout title in the PSP library and a must-play on the go.

Retro Replay Score

8.1/10