Insomniac’s Ratchet & Clank series could always be counted on for a fun adventure with deep missions. Now the series is making its debut on the PSP, courtesy of a new developer, High Impact Games. However, even without Insomniac in the developer’s seat, the game is still a great entry to the successful Sony franchise. Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters offers up all of the fun of its PS2 counterparts, as well as some fantastic online gameplay modes and features. If you’re at all a fan of the Ratchet & Clank games or just someone looking for the next great game on the PSP, then look no further.

Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters follows the pair as they take a much needed vacation from their exploits. They sun themselves on the beach taking in some R & R, and are brought once again into the robot-killing fray by a young girl looking to do a report on the heroes. The young aspiring journalist (named Luna), gets kidnapped, however, leading Ratchet and Clank to cut short their break to rescue her.

The gameplay in Size Matters does a superb job of emulating the feel of the PS2 games. While the PSP itself is at a disadvantage when it comes to replicating a PS2-like game due to the missing analog stick, the developers took great strides to ensure that Size Matters controls very well. The L and R shoulder buttons on the system control the camera and can also be used in combination with other buttons to perform certain actions.

The weapons have always been one of the best features of the Ratchet & Clank series, and Size Matters certainly doesn’t disappoint in this regard. Aside from the stalwart concussion guns and laser rifles, you have access to weaponry that shoots things like robots and bees at your foes, as well as a sniper rifle that shoots mines and several other crazy weapons.

The multiplayer is one of the game’s strongest suits. The lobby system is very well done, making it easy to find and enter a match. There are several different modes, like Capture the Flag and Deathmatch. The coolest new online mode, however, is the Iron Lombax mode, which is a team-based competition where you have to complete level-specific goals and earn points for your team. One such mission has you activating a tracking beam and then guiding explosive mines to your enemy’s area. However, if you misstep or slowdown, then the mines could very well put you out of commission.

Ratchet & Clank is a great looking game on the PSP, easily rivaling its PS2 counterparts. The character models look excellent and are well animated, and the environments are varied, big and colorful. Much like the robust gameplay, Size Matters offers a graphical presentation that gives the console versions a run for their money.

The sound is also quite good, with great voice acting and sound effects. The music can get a little on the annoying side, however, only because the tracks do tend to loop a little too often.

All things considered, Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters is a fantastic action game for the PSP, as well as a solid entry to the Ratchet franchise. Even if you haven’t played a Ratchet game before, pick this one up for the best new game on the PSP.

Gameplay: 9.0
In terms of scope, the game just as big and deep as the PS2 games. The crazy arsenal of weapons at your disposal is present, and the environments are pretty varied and large. The controls are spot-on, an impressive feat for a PSP game, and the action is engrossing and fun.

Graphics: 9.0
Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters is a great looking game, looking almost as good as the PS2 games (a noble feat, considering that those games weren’t too shabby on that system). The character models are well-rendered and animated, the environments big and bright, and the framerate is solid and never slows down.

Sound: 8.0
The game’s soundtrack is a little shallow and repeats pretty often, but the voice acting is well done, as are the weapon sound effects.

Difficulty: Medium

Multiplayer: 9.5
The multiplayer element is extremely solid here, with plenty of features and game modes, including the fun new Iron Lombax mode that takes advantage of the different stages.

Concept: 9.0
Size Matters packs a great deal of game into a handheld package, and plays just as well as any entry in the franchise.

Overall: 9.0
Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters is a great addition to the series, and one that takes it to the handheld format in prime form. Pick it up if you’re jonesing for the next great PSP game.