I didn’t expect this from PlayStation: Ratchet & Clank goes mobile, and I’m conflicted

PlayStation’s console icons are jumping to phones-here’s why that matters

Sony just pulled a move that changes how its biggest franchises show up in our lives: Ratchet & Clank is coming to mobile as a free-to-play arena platform shooter. If you’re a PS5-first player, that sounds like heresy. If you game on your phone between work and the bus ride home, this is Sony finally meeting you where you are. Either way, it signals something bigger: PlayStation’s future isn’t just about consoles anymore.

As someone who’s been with Ratchet & Clank since the PS2 days-and loved Rift Apart’s over-the-top weapons-this caught my attention because it’s the first time the series has been built for touchscreens and real-time mobile PVP. That’s exciting and a little worrying, depending on how Sony handles controls, monetization, and whether this feels like Ratchet or just a generic arena game in Lombax cosplay.

Key takeaways

• Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble is a “free-to-play multiplayer platformer arena shooter” for iOS and Android, developed by French studio Oh BiBi with support from Insomniac. It was revealed on November 12, 2025 and is coming “soon.”
• Modes include Total Rumble (the main mode), Blast Ball (a Rocket League-style ball mode), and Bolt Rush (race to collect). Expect quick, snackable matches built for mobile play.
• This follows PlayStation’s broader mobile push alongside Horizon Steel Frontiers (an MMORPG with NCSoft). Sony is clearly testing different mobile genres under its biggest IPs.
• The big questions: fair monetization vs. pay-to-win, controller support and 60 fps performance, and whether progression ties into PSN to make it feel like a real PlayStation experience—just on a phone.

Breaking down Ranger Rumble

On paper, Ranger Rumble sounds like Ratchet through and through: iconic characters, ridiculous sci-fi weaponry, and a tone that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s positioned as a real-time, team or solo arena brawler where movement and platforming matter as much as shooting. Think Brawl Stars meets Splatoon’s energy, with plenty of jump pads and chaos.

The mode list hints at a tight loop. Total Rumble is the headline playlist. Blast Ball reads like Rocket League Sideswipe smashed into a shooter—high potential for clutch plays, higher potential for frustration if physics feel floaty. Bolt Rush is the “move fast, grab faster” objective mode that favors mobility builds and map knowledge. If Oh BiBi nails crisp movement on touch, this could be dangerously moreish.

Speaking of Oh BiBi: they’re not new to this. FRAG Pro Shooter proved they understand mobile-friendly arena pacing, hero abilities, and session length. That’s encouraging. Insomniac’s involvement should keep the weapon sandbox and humor on-brand, because the worst outcome would be “generic shooter with Ratchet stickers.” Pre-registrations are open, but there’s no hard release date yet—classic “soon.”

Why Sony is making this move now

We’ve been hearing this drumbeat since 2021: PlayStation wants its franchises on mobile. In 2022 it even set up PlayStation Studios Mobile. Since then, Sony’s broadened its portfolio with PC ports and cross-media pushes. Mobile is the final, and biggest, audience to court. You can disagree with the vibe, but the strategy makes sense: the largest slice of gaming revenue lives on phones, not living-room boxes.

Pair Ranger Rumble with Horizon Steel Frontiers (Sony and NCSoft’s mobile MMORPG), and you see the play: different pillars for different players. Arena PVP for drop-in competitive sessions; an MMO for long-tail progression. If even one of these sticks, Sony gets recurring revenue and a massive funnel of new fans who might later jump to PS5 for the “full-fat” single-player epics. It’s brand expansion 101.

The gamer’s perspective: hype and red flags

I’m cautiously optimistic. Arena platform shooters can thrive on mobile when controls are tuned for thumbs, not transplanted from a DualSense. Auto-sprint, smart aim assist, clean silhouettes, and locked 60 fps are non-negotiables. Controller support would be a huge win, especially for competitive modes. And please, let the time-to-kill reflect Ratchet’s cartoon mayhem—not a sweaty tactical shooter.

Monetization is the potential buzzkill. Free-to-play can be fine—cosmetics, battle passes, and event tracks are the norm. But if weapon upgrades or character stats creep into paid progression, it’ll feel pay-to-win fast. Oh BiBi’s past games leaned on card unlocks and chests, so I’m watching closely. If Ranger Rumble keeps power on a level playing field and sells skins, emotes, and goofy weapon wraps, we’re good. If not, queues will evaporate as soon as players smell imbalance.

What this means for PS5 fans

Is this replacing a new console Ratchet? Probably not. It’s a side path, developed externally, that keeps the IP active between big-budget entries. Best case, Ranger Rumble brings a new wave of players to the series, funds more ambitious console projects, and gives us a fun pocket arena to mess with on lunch breaks. Worst case, it’s an aggressively monetized spin-off that dilutes the brand. The difference will come down to how respectful it is of what makes Ratchet & Clank work: personality, inventive weapons, and joyful chaos.

What I want to see before I’m all-in

• Transparent monetization: cosmetics-only for competitive balance.
• Controller support, 60 fps, and optional gyro aim for precision.
• Clean readability on small screens and robust accessibility options.
• PSN account integration for friends, reporting, and cross-profiles.
• Regular seasonal updates with maps, modes, and wild new weapons that feel “Insomniac.”

TL;DR

Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble is Sony’s loudest swing at mobile yet—fast, free, and built for arena chaos. I’m intrigued by the concept and the dev pairing, but the verdict hinges on controls and monetization. If Sony keeps it fair and fun, this could be the rare mobile spin-off that actually earns a spot on my home screen.