Challenge mode is a mode in gameplay featured in the entire Ratchet & Clank series, except the Series 40 version of Going Mobile, Quest for Booty, All 4 One, and Full Frontal Assault. After finishing the game, the player can replay the game while retaining all weapons with any upgrades and mods, their nanotech level, bolts, armor, skill points, and most collectible items and some equipment. To compensate, enemies are more powerful and can withstand more damage. The player is granted a bolt multiplier, which increases in value based on how many enemies are destroyed without taking damage, up to a maximum of twenty.
Challenge mode is an option often presented to the player upon finishing the game, alongside the option to warp back to before the player defeated the final boss, allowing them to obtain any secrets remaining before attempting to move forward. It is possible to have multiple challenge mode playthroughs, and in some cases, this is required to obtain all items.
Appearances[]
Ratchet & Clank (2002)[]
Challenge mode in the original Ratchet & Clank is available upon completion of the game. After the credits and final cutscene, the HelpDesk Girl will appear on screen, present the player's number of gold bolts, gold weapons, and unlocked skill points, with the option to start a new game with all weapons, bolts, goodies, and nanotech upgrades by pressing 
, or to time warp to before defeating Chairman Drek by pressing 
.
In challenge mode, all ten gold weapons are available on Novalis or the Gemlik Base, as opposed to the five available only on the Gemlik Base in a normal playthrough. While there is no bolt multiplier, bolts are obtained a little more quickly, and enemies remain the same as the initial playthrough. The only items and gadgets that are retained in continued playthroughs are the Gadgetron PDA, Persuader, Bolt Grabber, and Map-o-Matic.
Though not referred to as "challenge mode" in-game, or in the original PlayStation 2 release, it is referred to as "challenge mode" in save files in this playthrough for the Ratchet & Clank Collection and standalone HD PlayStation 3 release.
Going Commando[]
| Multiplier | Enemies |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0 |
| 2 | 1 |
| 3 | 2 |
| 4 | 4 |
| 5 | 6 |
| 6 | 9 |
| 7 | 12 |
| 8 | 16 |
| 9 | 20 |
| 10 | 25 |
| 11 | 30 |
| 12 | 36 |
| 13 | 42 |
| 14 | 49 |
| 15 | 56 |
| 16 | 64 |
| 17 | 72 |
| 18 | 81 |
| 19 | 90 |
| 20 | 100 |
Challenge mode in Going Commando is the first version of "challenge mode", and the first to feature a bolt multiplier. After the credits and the final cutscene, a message will appear, with the option to enter challenge mode by pressing or to time warp to before defeating the Mutant Protopet (though this is listed as "before defeating Captain Qwark") with . This version retains all bolts, platinum bolts, raritanium, weapons and their mods, nanotech level and nanotech boosts, armor, and ship upgrades from Slim Cognito's Ship Shack for the Star Explorer, as well as the Charge Boots, Mapper, Qwark statuette, Armor Magnetizer and Box Breaker.
New Mega Weapon upgrades become available for all upgraded weapons at a Megacorp vendor (excluding the Zodiac), including for Gadgetron weapons that cannot upgrade (excluding the RYNO II), additionally the entirely new Clank Zapper becomes available. The Mega versions of Megacorp weapons then can be upgraded to an Ultra variant. The RYNO II can now also be bought everywhere (instead of just at Barlow). An armor vendor is now also available on Oozla. Normal nanotech crates restore four nanotech points each, while purple nanotech crates restore sixteen. Additionally, new gladiator challenges for the Megacorp Games and Galactic Gladiators open up. Also, the maximum ammunition the player will get from a pick-up is now doubled. Finally, some extras will be unlocked (or can be unlocked later) in the 'Special' menu.
The math for the bolt multiplier comes down to a rounded Y=2√X equation, Y being the multiplier and X the number of enemies to kill without getting hit.
Up Your Arsenal[]
Challenge mode in Up Your Arsenal is available after the credits and final cutscene. A message will appear, with the option to enter challenge mode by pressing , or to timewarp to before defeating the Biobliterator with 
. Challenge mode retains all bolts, titanium bolts, weapons at their current level, nanotech, armor, and ship customization. It also retains the Charge Boots, the Bolt Grabber V2, Gadgetron PDA, and the Nano-pak. The bolt multiplier is available, and is identical to Going Commando. Taking damage while driving a vehicle has no effect on the multiplier, and using a jackpot crate doubles the current multiplier, increasing it up to a maximum of 40.
Mega Weapons become available for all fully upgraded V5 weapons at a Gadgetron vendor, including among Megacorp weapons bought from Slim Cognito (which can then be upgraded to V8). The RY3NO becomes available in challenge mode for 3,000,000 bolts, and both Annihilation Nation and Galactic Rangers missions' bolt rewards increase greatly. Maximum nanotech can also be upgraded up to 200. Players can now also skip Qwark-Vid comics if they want to, to advance quicker through the story (although no bolt or other rewards would be collected).
New bonuses to look at will be unlocked in the 'Special' menu.
Deadlocked[]
Challenge mode in Deadlocked is available after the credits and final cutscene. A message will appear, with the option to select "Yes" to enter challenge mode, while selecting "No" will time warp to before Gleeman Vox was defeated. All bolts, weapons (including the last Wrench Upgrade purchased), alpha mods, omega mods, and combat bot equipment and upgrades are retained. Mega versions of fully upgraded weapons can be purchased, allowing them to upgrade up to V99. The bolt multiplier is also available, up to a maximum of x20. Maximum nanotech can also be upgraded up to 999.
Like prior games, extras (concept art, epilogue, etc.) are now available in the 'Extras' menu.
Going Mobile[]
In the Series 60 version, challenge mode is available after defeating Maximillion. The player will retain all bolts, titanium bolts, weapons (with the exception of the Circuit Jammer) and their weapon progression. There are no further weapon upgrades beyond V3, and enemy damage and health appear unchanged.
Size Matters[]
Challenge mode in Size Matters is available after the credits. A message will appear, with the option to press to enter challenge mode, or to go back to before defeating Otto Destruct. Like other games, bolt multiplier is present but this time only up to x12. Titan versions of fully upgraded V4 weapons can be purchased from a Gadgetron vendor, allowing them to be upgraded up to V8, while nanotech can be upgraded up to 75.
The RYNO also becomes available for purchase at 9,999,000 bolts. More mods from Slim Cognito will be also available. The Hyperborean armor becomes obtainable throughout, while a third playthrough (second challenge mode playthrough) makes the Chameleon armor obtainable. The Giant Clank sections also get harder (with more enemies being on screen, which require a higher score to get the skill points to compensate).
Items retained in this game are the PDA, Box Breaker, and Bolt Grabber.
Reaching a score multiplier of ×12, which requires 36 consecutive kills without being hit, will unlock the gold trophy Worker's Dozen.
Secret Agent Clank[]
Challenge mode in Secret Agent Clank is available after the credits. A message will appear, with the option to press to enter challenge mode, or to go back to before defeating Klunk. Titan upgrades are available for Ratchet's fully upgraded V4 weapons, while Proto upgrades are available for Clank's fully upgraded weapons. The RYNO also becomes available for purchase for Ratchet, while Clank can acquire a new gadget, the Therm-Optic Shades, which allows him to scan alien codes. Three new weapon mods, and the Download Hot Foot 2.1 Beta also become available for purchase. The price of ammunition is increased (up to three times as expensive), and the bolt multiplier is available (up to x12).
All items are retained upon entering challenge mode, including everything listed in the 'Special' menu.
Tools of Destruction[]
Challenge mode in Tools of Destruction is available after the credits. All bolts, raritanium, gold bolts, RYNO IV holo-plans, weapons at their current level with raritanium upgrades purchased, armor, and previously obtained devices are retained.
The Trillium armor can be bought at the armor vendor. Omega versions of fully upgraded weapons can be purchased allowing them to be upgraded to version 10 (known as VX), and the Golden Groovitron becomes available for 2,000,000 raritanium. Prizes at the Imperial Fight Festival on Mukow, and the price for Leviathan souls sold to the Smuggler are multiplied by 100 (as before, Leviathan souls increase in value when sold on Sargasso).
The bolt multiplier is also available (up to x20). It is disabled in Clank and Aphelion sections. The bolt multiplier also increases raritanium dropped from pirate chests and enemies.
The Decryptor puzzles in challenge mode are harder than in the first playthrough.
Items and gadgets retained are the Box Basher 2000, Armor Magnetizer, the Treasure Mapper, and Charge Boots.
A Crack in Time[]
Challenge mode in A Crack in Time is available after the credits, or can be chosen later in the Extras menu if the player decided to return just before final boss' defeat. All bolts, gold bolts, RYNO V holo-plans, weapons at their current level, and armor are retained, as are the Treasure Mapper and Box Basher 2000.
In challenge mode, nanotech can be upgraded to a maximum of 199, and Omega versions of fully upgraded weapons can be purchased. Prizes at the Agorian Battleplex are multiplied by 10, and the bolt multiplier (up to x20) becomes available.
Completing a challenge mode playthrough will unlock the gold trophy Glutton for Punishment.
Into the Nexus[]
Challenge mode in Into the Nexus is available after beating the game, and can be begun from the start screen thereafter. Once again, the bolt multiplier (this time up to x10) is here. All bolts, Raritanium, gold bolts, RYNO VII holo-plans, weapons at their current level, and armor are retained. Omega upgrades can be purchased, requiring gold bolts and bolts to buy them, for all fully upgraded V3 weapons, allowing them to upgrade to V6. The Destructapalooza's Platinum Cup challenges become available, as well as the Nether armor. Nanotech can be upgraded up to 200.
The Treasure Mapper is also retained.
Ratchet & Clank (2016)[]
Challenge mode in the 2016 re-imagined release of Ratchet & Clank is available after completing the game, and can be started from the start screen thereafter. All bolts, raritanium, gold bolts, holocards, RYNO holocards, nanotech, and weapons at their current level (with raritanium upgrades) are retained. Omega weapons can be bought for all fully upgraded V5 ones, if the player got the holocards needed. As the game is completed, a teleporter to the Insomniac Museum is also available on Veldin. The bolt multiplier is also available.
The Map-o-Matic and Box Breaker are also retained.
Rift Apart[]
Once Rift Apart is completed and the end of the credits are reached, the player will be given the option to either return to Zurkie's before the final fight is selected or continue to the title menu where a challenge mode playthrough can be created from the completed save file. The new challenge mode playthrough requires a separate save file to be created. All bolts, Raritanium, gold bolts, RYNO Spybots, weapons at their current level and armor pods are retained. Upon loading the challenge mode save file, a new game will be started in which all previously mentioned holdovers will be retained from the completed game file from the point the challenge mode file was created. Collectibles not retained are Lorbs, CraiggerBears and Zurpstones. Gold Bolts, Armor Pods and RYNO Spybots can be recollected again for bonus bolts. Nanotech can now be upgraded up to 200. Omega weapons can be bought for all fully upgraded V5 ones and can be further leveled up to V10. Bolt prizes at Zurkie's Battleplex are significantly increased and the Box Breaker can be rewon again for bonus bolts. The bolt multiplier is also available (up to x20).
Items and gadgets retained are the Map-o-Matic and Box Breaker. Gadgets not retained are the Rift Tether, Phantom Dash, hoverboots and Hurlshot.