Ratchet & Clank (2002 game) gold bolt locations

This page is a list of all forty gold bolt locations in Ratchet & Clank. There are a total of forty gold bolts hidden in each of the locations. The majority of which are accessible on the first visit, though this is under the presumption the player is already in possession of the required weapon, gadget or item. Several bolts can only be acquired after revisiting the location later, as the required item is only available later in the game. Veldin is the only exception, as at first you can only access a small portion of Kyzil Plateau, with the rest being available only at the very end of the game.

Collecting all gold bolts in the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita versions of Ratchet & Clank will unlock the gold trophy Bolt Commando.

Novalis
The first gold bolt is located in the same path you use for the mission "Explore the waterworks". From landing on planet Novalis, turn around and take the series of platforms to a small room with several Peckbots, clear it out and face the corridor filled with uneven steps to the left. Instead of taking said steps you must wall jump ( followed by when stuck to a wall) to reach a hidden platform high up, on which is the first gold bolt.

The second is hidden in a short tunnel area, also reached from the landing area, to get there one must go through the tiny canyon nearby and cross the pool of water to reach the door at the end. Use the OmniWrench 8000 and the bolt crank to open it. Remove the three Birdbots in the next room, followed by jumping into the pool of water and swimming through the pipe, exiting into a large water basin. Upon surfacing you will find yourself in another large cavern, with several more water basins. Climb down to the ground floor with another bolt crank and two Peckbots and inspect the wall on the left side; you will notice several cracks. Hit it with an explosive weapon, such as the Bomb Glove, to break it and gain entry to another gold bolt and a large number of crates.

The last gold bolt in Novalis requires the Hydro-Pack, available on Hoven in the mission "Buy Hydro-Pack from Ed". The Hydro-Pack is required to swim through the fast flowing river in the center of Tobruk Crater, which leads underneath the bridge and into a tunnel. Swim through and you will find yourself in a cave system infested with several amoeboids and a number of bolt crates. The only available paths lead either left and right, merging shortly after, and leading into the largest room with several amoeboids. A ladder on the right wall leads to both the final gold bolt and a shortcut to the start of the cave system.
 * After "Buy Hydro-Pack from Ed"

Kerwan
The first gold bolt is located in a hidden underpass beneath the landing area, reaching from that side all the way to the other end, next to a Gadgetron vendor. Simply jump off the edge and use the Heli-Pack to glide down safely towards the tunnel, easily noticeable by the many hover cars flying through it.
 * After Buy Heli-Pack from Al

The second is hidden inside a lone tower, only accessible from the top of the of the large yellow structure in the fitness course. The edge opposite from the one where you climbed up and with the zip line is a railing. One piece of said railing is missing, from where you can see a large gray tower. Near the visible bottom is an accessible area with a number of crates visible in the distance. Use the Heli-Pack again to glide down and grab the gold bolt hidden here.

The third and final gold bolt is hidden at the train station at the end of the "Explore the rest of the city" mission. After taking an escalator and entering the station, the only apparent path is to the left, as the right is seemingly blocked by luggage and cargo. However, using the Heli-Pack it is possible to climb a stack of them to reach a hidden area with some enemies and crates. Another series of stacked luggage and cargo will then lead you to the gold bolt

Aridia
At the end of the "Use your Swingshot" mission, where the Trespasser is, or was if already taken, is a large walkway in a tall cylindrical tower. Right below the walkway is a slowly rotating platform, jump down to find a gold bolt hidden directly underneath the center of the top platform. To get back up, use the Swingshot and the lone Versa-target.

There is a grating with a gold bolt visible through it in the wall past the area where Skid's escape pod landed, located in the general "Help Skid get to his ship" mission area. Follow the wall to an apparent dead end and then look closer for a section that appears cracked and vulnerable. Use an explosive weapon to break it open and access the gold bolt in this area.

The third gold bolt is on top of a parked truck in the middle of a sand island, itself in the center of the mud lake. To reach it, take the last elevator to exit the construction site and then turn right, facing the aforementioned island and part of the structure's wall. The nearby mud can be safely touched, but you will have to exit it quickly before you drown. The first and only safe spot between your current location and the island is the corner of said wall, a surface large enough to stand on. Simply stretch jump to reach it and then stretch jump again to reach the island.
 * After Buy Heli-Pack from Al

At the end of the mission area for "Find Skid's agent" is a massive laser mounted on top of a large structure, which itself rests on an even larger base. The wall of said base is located opposite the mud lake shore, but is too tall to climb, being only accessible with the Magneboots. Walk up any of the available walkways to access the gold bolt hidden inside the structure housing the machine.
 * After Search the laboratories

Eudora
The only gold bolt is hidden on a tall ledge to the right of the landing pad, in between the two groups of sawbots. Stand on the nearby highest ledge and use a high jump with the Heli-Pack to reach up and grab the bolt.

Blarg Tactical Research Station
Near the end of the "Explore the space station" mission is a large room with several cages lining the walls on the side, with one row at ground level and another above it. The second-last cage on the higher row on the right side is actually broken and leads to a small cavern filled with alien swarmers and a gold bolt.

The area accessed during the mission "Journey outside the airlock" is normally accessible only by Clank, though Ratchet can also venture into the vacuum of space once he has acquired the O2 Mask. Follow in Clank's footsteps and enter the first spaceship on the left, then head to the rear and jump across the gap and to the right, onto the nose of the second ship. The gold bolt sits here on top of a thin walkway.
 * After Destroy the blarg ships

Rilgar
There is a maze near the end of the "Win the hoverboard race" mission path, said maze consists of laser walls dividing an area into square blocks, with buttons used to deactivate the lasers. The gold bolt is clearly visible, but the corresponding nearby button is broken. To reach it, step on top the only sewer cap in the area and jump onto the maze's walls. From there, carefully walk over and jump down into the square with the gold bolt. An extra button allows you to leave.

In the "Locate Captain Qwark" mission path is a section involving an area flooding with water. Return here with the O2 Mask, and the Hydro-Pack preferably, to find it is still flooded. Swim through this area until you reach the first water basin on your right-hand side, swim down to find a hidden tunnel that leads to a tiny secluded cave with the gold bolt located on a small stretch of dry land.
 * After Destroy the blarg ships

Umbris
The first gold bolt is located in a shut tower located at the other end of a bridge, found immediately after the barbed wire area and a series of versa-targets. Three pressure switches are located on ledges surrounding the side and rear of the structure, press each in time to open the door on the front side and find the gold bolt within.

Deeper within the compound, at the area with the sharkigators, find the second pool with a lone sharkigator inside. Ignore it and instead go to the fenced ledge facing the outer area, look down to find a small plot of land, encased in tall walls, as well as a gold bolt and three pressure switches. Jump down, grab the bolt and hit the switches to escape.

Batalia
There is a building with an Invinco-Lock very close to the landing pad. The gold bolt is not inside said building, but instead on top of it, accessible by wall-jumping between the two walls that stand in front of the door.

In the next area is a bridge that had to be activated by a bolt crank, after which a Cannonball tank drove across. Make your way across yourself and turn right, using the steps and platforms to read a hidden plateau with a second gold bolt.

Gaspar
There is a path to the right of the landing area, which leads to a long trail of small islands and metal platforms, used as docking stations for blarg Destroyers to refuel. Several Chompers patrol here, but otherwise the area is relatively safe. You must make your way from island to island, generally by way of Swingshot, sometimes destroying the refueling stations to take down Destroyers blocking your path. Note that they sometimes leave metal platforms in the lava which you need to progress, as well as that destroying all ten leads to the "Destroyed" skill point At the end you must take down the last four ships to reach the gold bolt, after which a boat will take you back to the start.

For the last bolt, head to the end of the "Find the Pilot's Helmet" mission area, at the very end of which you must stand on a metal platform and look for a large mount of sand, with a hollow interior that leads to a hidden cave deep within. Jump and glide using the Heli-Pack to embark on a short linear adventure through a tunnel, notable for numerous magma pillars (that limit visibility and deal damage on touch, forcing you to be careful) and a large amount of blarg Paratroopers, as well as a few Chompers and lone blarg generator. The Paratroopers are most easily dealt with using the Glove of Doom or a quick reaction time and the Devastator. Regardless, take the elevator at the end to find a short trail leading to the gold bolt.

Orxon
Equipped with the O2 Mask, enter the Clank area of the Kogor Refinery, turning left, followed by right past the Gadge-Bot port, and turn left into a curving tunnel. Halfway through here is an alcove, which you can use to wall-jump to a hidden area at the top, where a gold bolt lies in wait.
 * After Destroy the blarg ships

Head for the area behind the landing pad where bombs constantly rain down. Equip the Visibomb Gun and fire at the large pink barrier-thing at the top of a cliff, behind which you can then see a gold bolt. The next part is quite difficult and requires you to steer another Visibomb through the tunnel, dodging the various curves and stalactites, to destroy another barrier at the other end. To then reach said end, repeat the "Catch the infobot", and near the end of the area, at the second-last turn before entering the building with the magnetic walls, you can find the other end of the tunnel. Simply head through it to find the gold bolt at the end.

Pokitaru
There is a small stretch of beach at the start of Jowai Resort, jump into the water at the end and dive, turning left. There is a hidden cave entrance, which leads to a series of steps and a lock required the Thruster-Pack's power slam feature. It activates a bridge which lets you access a hidden river area, inhabited by a huge amount of puffer fish and several psytopuses. Deal with them as you wish to reach the gold bolt at the end of the river, atop a plateau, and next to the start of a waterfall,.
 * After Buy Thrusterpack from Bob

Hoven
Near the starting area is a small cluster of pine trees, behind which is a small snow field inhabited by a group of anklebiters. There is a moving vertical platform nearby, which can be used along with the cliff wall it faces, to wall jump to the top for a gold bolt.

In the mission path for "Buy Hydro-Pack from Ed" is a water puzzle involving the Hydrodisplacer. You had to flood to chamber to be able to reach the exit. However, in one of the dead ends in which you had to use an Insta-Drain (specifically the second-last), is a tiny hidden hollow space above it. To reach this, simple flood the chamber, swim into the tunnel and use the higher water level to climb on top of the ledge to grab the gold bolt.

Gemlik Base
There is a room inside the Gemlik Base in which you have to use a series of metal platforms to cross a repeatedly rising and sinking pool of acid. There is a single taller platform that will not get flooded, and must be used to reach an easily missed side room. Stand on the platform, turn left and you will see a short tunnel, with the gold bolt visible at the end. Simply stretch jump to reach it.

Oltanis
Near the end of the mission path for "Purchase Gadgetron PDA from 'Steve'" you will run into a lone PlasmaBot and Minibomber, after making it across a magnetic walkway. There is a hidden gold bolt on a lower ledge of the main ice-covered platform, directly to the right upon exiting the magnetic path.

Directly after the first gold bolt is a short section in which you must use the ledge grab to make it across a yellow wall. Instead of only climbing halfway, climb to the very end to find a gold bolt hidden behind the rubble.

Once all missions on Oltanis have been finished a blarg Bomber will bomb the statue on the central plaza platform. This reveals a button, that when pressed activates a long series of consecutive Versa-targets, a few of which are attached to Blarg Heavy Interceptors. Use the Swingshot to swing from target to target, making sure to time properly when you watch to latch onto the Interceptors. The gold bolt waits at the final platform.
 * After Find the survivors of the blarg attack, Buy infobot from scrap merchant, Search the destroyed city and Purchase Gadgetron PDA from 'Steve'

Quartu
Take the CodeBot item to a locked door at the very end of the path surrounding the arena where you fought the Ultra-Mech Unlimiteds. Once opened you can find a large amount of crates inside, as well as a gold bolt.
 * After Swim through the water tanker

In the room where you meet Clank's mother is a hidden Versa-target near the ceiling of the room, directly above the talking computer. Swing up to it to enter a hidden room with a gold bolt.

Kabelo III
Step onto the grind rail hat you also had to traverse for the "Ride the Grind Rail" mission. Partway through, right before the triple set of rails ends and turns back into one, is a switch. Shortly afterwards is an optional section of rails on which you can find two more switches, as well as several Minebots that appear to be out of mines, instead trying to block you with their own body. Smash both the switches and the Minebots with your OmniWrench and continue along the normal intended track. Near the end is another optional section that is normally blocked by a barrier, but with all switches hit is now accessible. Many more minebots will try to stop you, but you will eventually be able to grab the gold bolt, whereafter you can return to the normal track and reach the end.

Once at the Gadgetron HelpDesk's office, turn around and look for a hidden platform beneath the grind rail. On here is a teleporter that leads to the Gadgetron employee breakroom, in which is a gold bolt, and a flock of chickens.

Drek's fleet
There is a well-hidden split path near the end of the underwater tunnel that must be traversed in the mission "Swim through the water tanker". Directly before swimming through the last set of rings, stop and turn left to see a gate blocking part of the tunnel. Swim through the rings, then turn around and quickly swim through to find a gold bolt in a hidden room. A nearby button will again activate the timer, allowing you to leave.

At the very end of Drek's flagship is a short section in which you must traverse a corridor by walking across the ceiling, before being transported to the floor by a moving platform. Normally you would continue to the bridge, and find an infobot to end the mission "Find the coordinates for Drek's laser", but to get a gold bolt you must instead turn around and head back through the ship. Follow this path, fighting several Sentry-bots and Robomutt v2.0s, as well as dodging many collections of lasers. Once cleared you will find the gold bolt, as well as a power source that was keeping up a barrier encountered earlier.

Veldin
There is a hidden gold bolt in an area accessible directly after the second Rocket tank, which in itself is encountered after the first water basin. Exit the cavern, beat the tank, and take care of any nearby enemies. Do not continue, and instead turn right to find a blue barrier blocking a tunnel. Equip the Taunter and use it to lure a horny toad to a button, which deactivates the barrier and allows you to grab the gold bolt at the end of the tunnel.

Halfway through is a large chasm that must be crossed with the use of the Swingshot. Do not do so, and instead turn right and follow a series of metal platforms that lead to another gold bolt.

Near the end of the area is a large circular hole in the ground, prior to jet another chasm that must be crossed with the Swingshot. Do not cross the chasm nor jump down the hell, and instead jump on top of a tiny metal platform at the edge of the right side of this area. From here, glide down to a larger platform that is hidden below and jump on top of a really short grind rail. This will leave you inside a tunnel with the final and fortieth gold bolt in the game.