The Swingshot is a recurring gadget in the Ratchet & Clank series. It is a wrist-mounted grappling hook that is used by Ratchet to latch onto a versa-target and swing across gaps. Initially obtained by Ratchet in the original Ratchet & Clank, it has since been featured in some form in almost every entry throughout the series.
Two gadgets adjacent to the Swingshot have incorporated its functionality into a broader gadget: the Hypershot introduced in Up Your Arsenal, combining the Swingshot with the Dynamo, and the Omniglove introduced in Rift Apart, combining the Swingshot functionality with multiple other forms of movement and the ability to manipulate dimensional rifts.
History[]
Ratchet and Clank first obtained the Swingshot gadget from Helga von Streissenburgen after completing Captain Qwark's fitness course in Metropolis on Kerwan. As they had, in her eyes, "disgraced" her obstacle course, she charged them 1,000 bolts to purchase it.[1]
Characteristics[]
The Swingshot is an arm-mounted device that latches onto floating orbs known as versa-targets[2] or simply swingshot targets.[3][4] The original Swingshot gadget uses a more traditional grapple hook, but since Tools of Destruction, the Swingshot has instead taken the form of using a laser grapple hook more similar to the Hypershot.
Gameplay[]
Overview[]
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Ratchet swinging on a versa-target.
The Swingshot is a gadget used to latch onto floating devices, commonly spheres, called versa-targets, which greatly improves mobility by allowing the user to traverse long gaps. From Deadlocked onwards, the Swingshot is automatically equipped when 
is pressed near a versa-target, a feature first introduced with the Hypershot in Up Your Arsenal. This functionality also applies to the Omniglove's Swingshot feature in Rift Apart, though the button is mapped to 
. In most later titles, the Swingshot is available from the start of the game.
There are three main types of versa-targets:
- Grappling targets: These targets allow the user to pull themselves directly toward the target by holding down
. They are often used to reach platforms, and in some rare cases, a user may hold onto a moving grappling target to be transported to another area.
- From Ratchet & Clank to Deadlocked, they are represented by spinning green targets.
- From Tools of Destruction onwards, they are spinning targets with blue lights.
- In All 4 One and subsequent games, they have another new appearance.
- Swinging targets: The most common type, these allow the user to grapple onto a target and swing around it, releasing to jump to the next platform or versa-target.
- In Ratchet & Clank, they are represented by yellow targets with thin yellow beams between them.
- In most other appearances up until Full Frontal Assault, they are stationary green targets.
- In Full Frontal Assault and Into the Nexus, they appear as spheres that open to reveal a metal beam to allow the Swingshot to latch on.
- Winch targets: These targets are featured exclusively in Going Commando. They allow the user to pull an object toward them, such as lowering a drawbridge. They are represented by blue targets.
Ratchet & Clank (2002)[]
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Ratchet using the Swingshot at the obstacle course.
The Swingshot is obtained after beating "Complete fitness course" in Metropolis, Kerwan, and purchasing it for 1,000 bolts. It is prominently used in the "Use your Swingshot" mission in Outpost X11 on Aridia, leading to the Trespasser. Both gadgets are then used at the logging site, Eudora to traverse some steep cliffs in "Confront robot lieutenant".
The Swingshot is prominently used in Gorda City Ruins, Oltanis to collect a gold bolt along one route, and the Morph-o-Ray at the end of the "Search the destroyed city" mission. Finally, it is used a few times on other planets such as Rilgar, Umbris, Orxon, Pokitaru, Hoven, Quartu, and Veldin.
Going Commando[]
Blue winch versa-targets.
The Swingshot is found in Clank's apartment on Endako, during "Visit Clank's apartment". This time, the Swingshot has an additional use: winch targets, which allow Ratchet to pull down drawbridges or pull floating platforms towards him to progress. Versa-targets are all green, with the exception of winch targets which were instead blue.
The Swingshot is first used prominently on Barlow, during "Scout the ruined machinery", after which it is used on many more planets. It is also specifically used on Joba and Boldan to collect platinum bolts, and on Snivelak to obtain a nanotech boost.
Deadlocked[]
Though listed and called the Swingshot,[5][4] the gadget in Deadlocked is identical in appearance to the Hypershot. It is used in a variety of battlegrounds, but lacks the more advanced mechanics from past games, only being used to swing across gaps or hook onto orbs above far-away platforms. The Swingshot is used the planets Catacrom Four, Sarathos, Kronos, as well as during the Vindicator Tournament, on the Valix Belt, and in the Ghost Station.
Tools of Destruction to A Crack in Time[]
The Swingshot as it appears in Tools of Destruction.
The Swingshot appears with an entirely new design in Tools of Destruction onwards, using a green laser grappling hook more similar to the Hypershot than the original Swingshot. It also allows Ratchet to use the gadget without manually equipping it by holding when approaching a versa-target. Versa-targets take on a slightly difference appearance from then on, with swinging targets being green and grapple targets blue.
The Swingshot is used commonly throughout the future trilogy, albeit less so once the hoverboots are acquired. Two missions in Tools of Destruction make common use of it; "Swing through the Docks" in Stratus City on Kortog, and "Trail of Turning Terror" at the Imperial Fight Festival on Mukow.
All 4 One[]
The Hookshot gameplay.
The Swingshot was used by Ratchet, Clank, Captain Qwark, and Dr. Nefarious, from the start of their adventure. It contains the unique Hookshot feature, which allows the user to pull themselves towards another team member to latch onto them and traverse gaps. This is triggered with 
to attach to a teammate, allowing up to four players to be attached to a single versa-target.
All 4 One also introduces unique versa-targets like the Spinshot, Springshot, and Swingcopter. The Spinshot allows at most four people to latch on, after which it slings them all away at once. The Springshot launches people into the air. The Swingcopter is simply a moving versa-target—a little robot that flies off to take people latched on elsewhere.
Full Frontal Assault[]
The Swingshot returns with identical functionality, though it must be first obtained from a weapon pod with a Swingshot icon. Only swinging versa-targets appeared, as well as a few Springshots from All 4 One.
Into the Nexus[]
The Swingshot returns again with the same functionality last featured in A Crack in Time, though it uses versa-targets with the appearance of those in Full Frontal Assault.
Ratchet & Clank (2016)[]
During Ratchet & Clank (2016 game), in contrast to the original game, Ratchet possesses the Swingshot from the beginning, and uses it throughout the game.
Behind the scenes[]
In early footage of Up Your Arsenal, on planet Daxx, the Swingshot is seen being used rather than the Hypershot, and the Dynamo is used separately, suggesting that both were going to appear separately until they were combined into the Hypershot.[6]
In the Ratchet & Clank movie, the Swingshot has two appearances: it appears in the scene when Ratchet rescues Clank after Clank crash lands on Veldin, and during fight with Qwark in the Deplanetizer. This Swingshot featured the later Tools of Destruction design, rather than the original design.
Citations[]
References[]
- Video games
- Insomniac Games (2002). Ratchet & Clank [Game]. Sony Computer fEntertainment. PlayStation 2.
- Insomniac Games (2003). Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando [Game]. Sony Computer Entertainment. PlayStation 2.
- Insomniac Games (2005). Ratchet: Deadlocked [Game]. Sony Computer Entertainment. PlayStation 2.
- Insomniac Games (2007). Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction [Game]. Sony Computer Entertainment. PlayStation 3.
- Insomniac Games (2008). Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty [Game]. Sony Computer Entertainment. PlayStation 3.
- Insomniac Games (2009). Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time [Game]. Sony Computer Entertainment. PlayStation 3.
- Insomniac Games (2011). Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One [Game]. Sony Computer Entertainment. PlayStation 3.
- Insomniac Games (2012). Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault [Game]. Sony Computer Entertainment. PlayStation 3.
- Insomniac Games (2013). Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus [Game]. Sony Computer Entertainment. PlayStation 3.
- Insomniac Games (2016). Ratchet & Clank [Game]. Sony Interactive Entertainment. PlayStation 4.
- Videos