Head to the fairgrounds

"The Galactic Rangers are searching for new recruits. Head over to the tryouts!"

- Mission description

Head to the fairgrounds is the first mission in Ratchet & Clank. Ratchet, living in Grimroth Razz' garage in the Kyzil Plateau on Veldin hears that the Galactic Rangers are holding tryouts, and attempts to sneak out of the garage. However, Razz catches him, and demands he fix Mr. Micron's ship first. After fixing the ship, he reluctantly allows Ratchet to participate in the tryouts.

Walkthrough
Ratchet must first spin the bolt crank, by pressing to attach his OmniWrench to the bolt crank, and rotating to move it and bring the ship down for repairs. Then, Ratchet must look up using the stick upwards, then look down by moving the stick downwards, and finally look right by moving it right. At that point, Ratchet is free to leave the garage. The garage contains several crates, which can be destroyed for bolts before leaving by using to swing the wrench. Swinging the wrench three times in succession leads to the multi-strike, a three-hit combo with maneuverability if the is used, and holding  to aim then pressing  will throw the wrench forwards and automatically return to Ratchet, in a comet-strike. Finally, jumping with and hitting  in mid-air will cause Ratchet to slam the wrench downwards in a powerful move in front of him, known as the hyper-strike.

With the garage open, Ratchet can freely explore the Kyzil Plateau to reach the Ranger tryouts. Through the desert, follow the path in the sand leading right and forwards towards a bridge, dispatching the horny toads along the way by swinging the wrench. On the bridge, a nanotech crate will be found, which contains nanotech used to restore Ratchet's health. Toolboxes along the ground, and the barriers on the sides of the bridge, can also be destroyed for bolts. Cross the bridge and double jump using twice to climb the platforms, then jump across to the cliff and travel along a linear path to reach the Galactic Ranger Fairgrounds, where a RoboQwark will greet Ratchet. Enter these to participate in the Ranger Tryouts.

When entering, Cora Veralux will speak to Ratchet via communicator. Follow the path inside, jump over the obstacles and jump on the ladder on the wall to climb it, then stand on the green button appearing next. This will create two floating platforms which will appear in midair, with the first moving left, and the second moving right. Jump on the first platform, and then when it aligns with the second, jump on the next, then jump across. Jump down to the next area, stand on the button, and destroy the crates that appear as instructed by Brax Lectrus. This will reveal a Gadgetron vendor after the orange shield disappears. Interact with the vendor using and purchase the Fusion Grenade for 500 bolts.

Weapons are fired using, while holding before firing allows them to be aimed. Fire the Fusion Grenade using to destroy the barrier and proceed forward. Destroying the green ammo crate will return one Fusion Grenade ammo and restore it to full. Kill the horny toads using the Fusion Grenade or the OmniWrench, and proceed forward destroying the barrier above, then replenish ammo by breaking the ammo crates and jump above. Jump across the lava and destroy the barrier with the Fusion Grenade then proceed forward.

Though no icon appears on the barrier to the left, it can be destroyed with the Fusion Grenade. Destroy it to reveal stacks of crates, and also a set of three holocards. These are useful collectibles which provide small bonuses when sets are complete. Return back and you will see a new enemy on a floating platform: the test dummy, which fires a flamethrower in a short range in front of it or whacks Ratchet when in melee range. It does not pose a threat as neither its flamethrower nor melee attack can reach Ratchet from the platform. Destroy it with the Fusion Grenade, and jump on the platform to be taken to the final challenge.

The final challenge is a small arena where a series of test dummy enemies appear. These are a series of test dummies, which can now get in range to hit Ratchet as they travel towards him, as well as more horny toads. Both enemy types attack each other as well as Ratchet. Keep a distance from the enemies, and fire the Fusion Grenade at them to remain safe from harm, making sure to restock on ammo and nanotech from the crates. Once all are destroyed, the forcefield blocking the end will deactivate. Cross the bridge to the end to complete the mission.