Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble the iconic PlayStation duo arrives on mobile with a free multiplayer shooter
After more than twenty years as a PlayStation icon, Ratchet & Clank is venturing into a brand-new arena: mobile gaming.
Sony Interactive Entertainment has officially announced Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble, a free-to-play multiplayer shooter for iOS and Android developed by Oh BiBi, the studio behind several successful mobile adaptations.
For the first time, the series leaves consoles entirely, offering a fast, competitive and accessible experience that brings the duo’s trademark humor, wild gadgets and over-the-top action to smartphones and tablets.
Gameplay and core modes
Ranger Rumble transforms the classic third-person adventure formula into a compact, arena-based multiplayer game designed for quick sessions.
Players can select familiar characters from the Ratchet & Clank universe, each equipped with unique weapons and special abilities drawn from the saga’s most memorable gadgets — from the Sheepinator to the Groovitron.
Confirmed game modes include:
- Total Rumble: team-based battles where strategy and coordination are essential.
- Blast Ball: a futuristic ball-based mode that fuses soccer mechanics with explosive combat.
- Bolt Rush: a timed race to collect as many golden bolts as possible before the clock runs out.
Each match promises intense, skill-based gameplay with a balance of shooting, movement and gadget mastery — all wrapped in the humor that defines the franchise.
Visuals and control design
Visually, Ranger Rumble embraces a cel-shaded 3D art style, echoing the look of Rift Apart while being optimized for mobile hardware.
Maps are built with verticality, portals, traps and interactive hazards that encourage constant movement and creative playstyles.
Touch controls have been fine-tuned for precision, while full Bluetooth controller support ensures console-like gameplay for players who prefer traditional setups.
Free-to-play model and live service plan
Ranger Rumble will launch as a completely free title, supported by cosmetic purchases and seasonal battle passes.
Sony has clarified that there will be no pay-to-win elements — all playable content can be unlocked through normal progression.
Future updates will include:
- New characters and gadgets.
- Limited-time events and themed seasons.
- Cooperative missions and clan-based challenges.
- Competitive leaderboards and ranked seasons.
This positions Ranger Rumble as a long-term live-service project similar to Brawl Stars or Apex Legends Mobile, designed to evolve continuously.
PlayStation’s mobile expansion strategy
The release of Ranger Rumble is part of Sony’s broader PlayStation Mobile initiative, an effort to bring its flagship IPs to new audiences.
The goal is not to replace console experiences, but to expand PlayStation’s reach through accessible, high-quality mobile games.
In doing so, Sony joins other major publishers that have successfully bridged the console-mobile divide, offering ways for fans to stay connected to their favorite universes on any platform.
Reception and outlook
Fan reactions have been mixed but largely positive.
Many long-time players welcome the chance to experience the Ratchet & Clank universe in a new format, while others remain cautious about the shift toward mobile and competitive design.
If the game manages to retain the personality, humor and fast-paced fun that define the duo, Ranger Rumble could become one of PlayStation’s strongest mobile debuts to date.
Conclusion
Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble is more than a mobile spin-off — it’s a reinvention of a beloved franchise for a new era of gaming.
With free-to-play accessibility, constant updates, and an unmistakable style, it aims to bring Ratchet and Clank’s chaotic charm to millions of pockets worldwide.
If Sony succeeds in balancing nostalgia with innovation, Ranger Rumble might mark the beginning of PlayStation’s golden age in mobile gaming.
