So I've never played a Ratchet game, but now I want to jump in. Seems like there's so many of them though. Where should I start? Should I even try to go back to the first one and play in chronological order (although that seems like a lot of work and commitment lol)? Or should I just start with the 3 PS3 games? Or should I not even do that and just jump immediately to the newest title?
 
I feel similar to another poster in this forum where I loved 2D platformers back when but never really got into any 3D ones. Figured it was time to give a platformer another shot. So where should I start? I know Vinny said on a podcast a while back that new people should just jump straight to the newest one - what's everyone else think?

The new one.

At least start with the 3rd one in the series Up Your Arsenal. In my opinion, it's the best Ratchet and Clank game in the entire series and you can start the story from there without having too many issues with characters mentioning the things that happened in past games. Also the Ratchet and Clank Future: storyline will be that much better. 

" the first one   they get better as they go along, 2 is better than 1 and 3 was the best until A crack in time which is easily the  greatest R&C game "

Play one old one then go to the new one,  trust me its really easy to get burned out on Ratchet and Clank. I played the first went to the second right after and just like Ryan i got a bit depressed at how similar they were and could not continue playing.

If anything, you must start with tools of destruction since it, quest for booty, and a crack in time seem to be connected, whereas the PS2 games weren't very connected at all.
 
I would recommend starting with going command and up your arsenal. I didn't like the first very much, at least after playing all the others.

" @marioncobretti said:

" the first one   they get better as they go along, 2 is better than 1 and 3 was the best until A crack in time which is easily the  greatest R&C game "

No. The first one does not hold up well. It's not fun at all. "

• ice world
• water world
• fire world
• sand world
• space world
  
• city world
• beach
• war world.
  

Start from the first one. Though you can skip Deadlock. 

" Start from the first one. Though you can skip Deadlock.  "

I've been playing Tools of Destruction kind of off and on, and just really haven't enjoyed it much.  It's alright, but just feels very bland, nothing particularly impressive our stand out about it..  As someone who grew up playing platformers, I felt like I had played it a million times before. Disliked how much they play like third person action games rather than platformers as well.  Played the demo for Crack in Time and was thoroughly unimpressed there too.  When your main gameplay mechanic is ripping off Blinx the Timesweeper, there's something wrong.
 
But a lot of people seem to enjoy the games, so they're definitely worth trying.  Just thought I'd throw in my opinion.
If you are going to start, Tools of Destruction, the start of the Future series seems like the best place.

I'm playing the first now and it holds up well.

Get the third one (So Ratchet and Clank 3). Still a great game.

I just cannot fathom how people can think Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal is the best in the series. Dude, it has nothing on Going Commando (the 2nd game in the series). The only thing Up Your Arsenal does better is the final boss... since Going Commando's boss is a joke. Other than that, UYA felt uninspired and the game had started showing its age at that point.
 
Anyway, I'd suggest starting with the first one. Though, be prepared to learn the skateboard arena bolt glitch if you're planning on beating the final boss. Doing it without the RYNO is a near-impossible feat.

The first 3 games are arguably the best though the future trilogy plus into the nexus are great as well.

The best place to start is the first one, then second, and third, then tools of destruction, then quest for booty, then crack in time, then into the nexus ( if you keep on playing). Also the first 3 games are connected in many ways, as are the future trilogy games.

Size matters and secret agent clank aren't worth the time. Deadlocked is great, but is not a main game. All 4 one is good, but optional. Full frontal assault has a minor story element but over all isn't required. ( This is my opinion, and I love all these games but some were just better than others).

Start with whichever you can get your hands on at a reasonable price. Don't bother playing every game either. I don't think a playthrough of an earlier game is really warranted and they're all pretty similar anyway. The PS3 games might not be the most fondly remembered, but the look a lot better and play better than the PS2 games, from my limited experience of the PS3 games, and I really think one game is enough to make an assessment of the series. Do you want more, then buy another game and play.

The second or third one

I'd say 2, 3, and then ACiT would be a perfect playlist for newcomers.

If you're still interested in the series, it's up to you, but if you only play one do play ACiT. I consider it one of the greatest platformers ever made.

5 year old post, you guys.

@gruebacca: @Chocobodude3: @alexl86: @secretagentratchet101:

Guys, this is a five year-old thread. This person is probably dead by now, and has no need for our advice on Ratchet and Clank games.