Swingshot

The Swingshot was a device that allowed the user to fire an energy grapple. Received by completing Captain Qwark's fitness course on planet Kerwan, and paying Helga one-thousand bolts. This device allowed Ratchet to use versa-targets to swing in mid-air from target to target. Versa-targets came up a lot so this commonly-used device should be kept in your quick-select menu. The Swingshot and the Dynamo were combined eventually and became the Hypershot. Later games would automatically equipped the Swingshot as Ratchet approached a versa target in mid-air. The Swingshot was also the only gadget to appear in every single Ratchet & Clank game in any incarnation. It appeared in Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal as the Hypershot, and in Ratchet & Clank: Going Mobile, it appeared as the Clank's Grapple.

Versa Targets
The swingshot had a wide range of versa targets across all the galaxies Ratchet had explored, including the Solana, Bogon, and Polaris galaxies. They were also compatible with the Hypershot and the Clank's Grapple. They were as follows.



Swinging Targets
These were the most common targets, and simply put, allowed Ratchet to swing around as he pleased. Letting go released him in whatever direction he was traveling. They were first represented by 2 yellow targets spread apart with a beam between the two in the first game, but they were later represented by a stationary green target in every game after, although in Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction and Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty, they had light pouring from either side and were sometimes to attached to moving objects where Ratchet was expected to grab on with his Swingshot and hang on while being carried.

Grappling Targets
These were the second most common variety. Holding the O button caused Ratchet to fire the swingshot, pulling himself in and dropping directly below the target. They were often used to land on platforms where using a Swinging target would be difficult. In Ratchet & Clank, Going Commando, Up Your Arsenal, and Ratchet: Deadlocked they were spinning green targets. In Tools of Destruction, Quest for Booty, and A Crack in Time they were spinning targets with blue light pouring out of the sides.



Winch Targets
The least common variety only displayed in Going Commando. These were usually attached to drawbridges. Rather than pulling Ratchet in, Ratchet pulled whatever was attached downward. These were represented by blue and black targets that spun rapidly.

Appearances

 * Ratchet & Clank
 * Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando
 * Ratchet: Deadlocked
 * Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
 * Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty
 * Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time