Ratchet and Clank 2016 vs Shadow of the Colossus Black Friday 2026

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Ratchet & Clank (2016) and Shadow of the Colossus give PS4 players 2 very different adventures: one is a fast, funny shooter-platformer, and the other is a measured journey through 16 giant battles. I researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback to build this Black Friday 2026 guide around the choice players actually face: lively action or quiet spectacle.

Here's the bottom line: choose Ratchet & Clank for weapon variety, energetic levels, and a family-friendly tone. Choose Shadow of the Colossus for atmosphere, exploration, and memorable boss fights. The picks below include both games, related PlayStation adventures, and a current console option. Each entry explains its best audience, key specs, and the trade-offs worth knowing before you buy.

How We Picked

• Compared core gameplay, pacing, story tone, and replay appeal using published product details, reviews, and owner feedback.
• Prioritized games and hardware that directly suit PlayStation players comparing Ratchet & Clank with Shadow of the Colossus.
• Checked platform compatibility and standout numerical details, including player count, boss count, storage, and level count.
• Included alternatives for PS4 and PS5 players, with different budgets and play styles represented.
• Focused on clear strengths and trade-offs rather than short-lived promotional claims.

Comparison Table

Product	Best for	Platform	Players	Signature count
Sony Interactive Entertainment Ratchet & Clank (2016) – PlayStation 4	Fast action and weapons	PS4	1	20-plus weapons
Sony Interactive Entertainment Shadow of the Colossus – PlayStation 4	Atmosphere and boss fights	PS4	1	16 colossi
Sony Interactive Entertainment Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – PlayStation 5	Modern PS5 action-platforming	PS5	1	2 heroes
Sony Interactive Entertainment The Last Guardian – PlayStation 4	Companion-led storytelling	PS4	1	1 central companion
Sony Interactive Entertainment Journey Collector's Edition – PlayStation 4	Artful, compact adventures	PS4	1	3 games
Sony Interactive Entertainment Astro Bot – PlayStation 5	Cheerful platforming	PS5	1	80-plus levels
Sony PlayStation 5 Slim Console – Disc Edition, 1TB	A new PlayStation setup	PS5	1	1TB storage

Best Picks Reviewed

#1 · Top pick

Sony Interactive Entertainment Ratchet & Clank (2016) – PlayStation 4

The Sony Interactive Entertainment Ratchet & Clank (2016) – PlayStation 4 is the best pick for players who want brisk, colorful action, with 20-plus weapons adding plenty of combat variety.

Best for: Action-platforming, humor, and weapon variety

Platform

PlayStation 4

Players

1

Release year

2016

Signature feature

20-plus weapons

Pros

• A lively mix of shooting, platforming, and exploration.
• A colorful presentation and comedic story.
• A broad weapon selection keeps combat varied.

Cons

• Single-player only, with no local co-op.

Is Sony Interactive Entertainment Ratchet & Clank (2016) – PlayStation 4 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

Yes. Sony Interactive Entertainment Ratchet & Clank (2016) – PlayStation 4 is a strong buy for players who want approachable action and a playful tone. The Sony Interactive Entertainment Ratchet & Clank (2016) – PlayStation 4's 20-plus weapons offer plenty of combat options, while the single-player format keeps the experience focused.

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#2

Sony Interactive Entertainment Shadow of the Colossus – PlayStation 4

The Sony Interactive Entertainment Shadow of the Colossus – PlayStation 4 is the best pick for patient players who want a haunting adventure, with 16 colossi serving as its central challenges.

Best for: Atmospheric exploration and giant boss fights

Platform

PlayStation 4

Players

1

Colossi

16

Genre

Action-adventure

Pros

• A distinctive world with a strong sense of scale.
• Boss encounters reward observation and timing.
• A quiet, emotional tone sets it apart from typical action games.

Cons

• The deliberate pacing is not a match for players seeking constant combat.

Is Sony Interactive Entertainment Shadow of the Colossus – PlayStation 4 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

Yes. Sony Interactive Entertainment Shadow of the Colossus – PlayStation 4 is worth choosing for players who value atmosphere and huge, carefully designed encounters. Sixteen colossi anchor the adventure, but its quiet stretches and deliberate pace suit a more patient audience.

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#3

Sony Interactive Entertainment Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – PlayStation 5

The Sony Interactive Entertainment Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – PlayStation 5 is the best pick for PS5 players who want a modern action-platformer, with 2 playable heroes expanding the adventure.

Best for: PS5 action, platforming, and fast-paced combat

Platform

PlayStation 5

Players

1

Playable heroes

2

Genre

Action-platformer

Pros

• Quick transitions between varied worlds.
• Distinct playable characters and weapons.
• A polished showcase for PS5 graphics and loading.

Cons

• Requires a PS5 console.

Is Sony Interactive Entertainment Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – PlayStation 5 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

Yes. Sony Interactive Entertainment Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – PlayStation 5 is a great fit for PS5 owners who want colorful action and slick platforming. Two playable heroes add variety, while its fast-moving presentation feels like a natural next step from the PS4 entry.

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#4

Sony Interactive Entertainment The Last Guardian – PlayStation 4

The Sony Interactive Entertainment The Last Guardian – PlayStation 4 is the best pick for players who want an emotional, companion-led adventure, with 1 giant creature at the heart of the story.

Best for: A slower adventure with a memorable companion

Platform

PlayStation 4

Players

1

Central companion

1

Genre

Action-adventure

Pros

• A distinctive bond between the boy and Trico.
• Strong environmental puzzles and atmosphere.
• A good alternative for fans of reflective adventures.

Cons

• Movement and companion behavior can feel deliberate.

Is Sony Interactive Entertainment The Last Guardian – PlayStation 4 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

Yes. Sony Interactive Entertainment The Last Guardian – PlayStation 4 is worth considering for players drawn to emotional storytelling and environmental puzzles. The adventure centers on one unusual companion, Trico, and favors careful observation over the constant weapon-based action found in Ratchet & Clank.

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#5

Sony Interactive Entertainment Journey Collector's Edition – PlayStation 4

The Sony Interactive Entertainment Journey Collector's Edition – PlayStation 4 is the best pick for players who want a compact, atmospheric collection, with 3 acclaimed games included.

Best for: Short, artistic adventures

Platform

PlayStation 4

Players

1

Included games

3

Collection

Journey, Flower, flOw

Pros

• Three distinct experiences in one collection.
• A strong choice for relaxed, exploratory play.
• Journey stands out for its visual storytelling.

Cons

• The games offer less combat and challenge than the main comparison picks.

Is Sony Interactive Entertainment Journey Collector's Edition – PlayStation 4 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

Yes. Sony Interactive Entertainment Journey Collector's Edition – PlayStation 4 suits players looking for thoughtful, artful games rather than a combat-heavy campaign. The collection includes 3 titles—Journey, Flower, and flOw—so it offers varied moods in one PS4 package.

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#6

Sony Interactive Entertainment Astro Bot – PlayStation 5

The Sony Interactive Entertainment Astro Bot – PlayStation 5 is the best pick for upbeat PS5 platforming, with more than 80 levels packed into its adventure.

Best for: Playful PS5 platforming and collectibles

Platform

PlayStation 5

Players

1

Levels

More than 80

Galaxies

6

Pros

• A huge range of colorful platforming stages.
• Collectibles and surprises encourage exploration.
• A cheerful choice for a wide range of ages.

Cons

• Requires a PS5 console and focuses on platforming over shooting.

Is Sony Interactive Entertainment Astro Bot – PlayStation 5 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

Yes. Sony Interactive Entertainment Astro Bot – PlayStation 5 is an excellent pick for players who want joyful, polished platforming. More than 80 levels across 6 galaxies provide a substantial adventure, though players seeking Ratchet-style gunplay should choose a different game.

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#7

Sony PlayStation 5 Slim Console – Disc Edition, 1TB

The Sony PlayStation 5 Slim Console – Disc Edition, 1TB is the best hardware pick for players building a PlayStation setup, with 1TB of storage and a disc drive for physical games.

Best for: PS5 gaming and physical game collections

Platform

PlayStation 5

Storage

1TB

Edition

Disc

Video output

Up to 4K

Pros

• Runs PS5 games and supports a large PS4 game library.
• Disc drive supports physical game purchases.
• Slim design fits more easily into many entertainment setups.

Cons

• A console purchase is a larger commitment than buying one game.

Is Sony PlayStation 5 Slim Console – Disc Edition, 1TB worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

Yes. Sony PlayStation 5 Slim Console – Disc Edition, 1TB is a practical upgrade for players ready to move to PS5. The 1TB drive and disc support make it a flexible base for digital and physical games, including compatible PS4 titles.

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Which game is better: Ratchet & Clank or Shadow of the Colossus?

Ratchet & Clank is the better pick for colorful action, humor, and frequent combat. Shadow of the Colossus offers a quieter adventure built around 16 major encounters.

Choose Ratchet & Clank for lively stages and a varied arsenal. Choose Shadow of the Colossus for exploration, boss strategy, and atmosphere.

How many colossi are in Shadow of the Colossus on PS4?

Shadow of the Colossus features 16 colossi. Each encounter centers on observing a giant creature, finding a way to climb it, and striking its weak points.

Travel and exploration connect the battles, giving the game a slower rhythm than Ratchet & Clank. Players who prefer constant combat and weapon changes may prefer Ratchet & Clank.

Does Ratchet & Clank work on PS5?

Ratchet & Clank is a PS4 game that works on PS5 through backward compatibility. Its single-player campaign features more than 20 weapons.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a separate PS5 entry with two playable heroes. PS4 owners can play Ratchet & Clank on their console; PS5 owners can choose compatible PS4 games or PS5 releases.

Which PlayStation game is best for a relaxed, story-focused session?

Journey Collector's Edition suits a compact, artistic session and includes Journey, Flower, and flOw. Shadow of the Colossus offers a larger adventure with 16 boss encounters, while The Last Guardian centers on a bond with a creature companion.

Choose Journey for visual storytelling, Shadow of the Colossus for scale and solitude, or The Last Guardian for an emotional relationship at the heart of the story.

Which PS5 game is the best alternative to Ratchet & Clank?

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is the closest PS5 alternative, with weapon-focused action and colorful characters. Astro Bot is a stronger choice for platforming, with more than 80 levels across six galaxies.

Pick Rift Apart for series-style combat or Astro Bot for inventive stages and collectibles. Players without a PS5 can choose the PS4 games in this guide.

Buying Guide

Match the gameplay to your mood

Ratchet & Clank brings humor, frequent combat, and more than 20 weapons. Shadow of the Colossus focuses on 16 major encounters and a slower pace. Choose the gameplay you want to return to.

Check your PlayStation console

Ratchet & Clank, Shadow of the Colossus, The Last Guardian, and Journey Collector's Edition are PS4 titles. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and Astro Bot require PS5. The PS5 Slim Disc Edition supports compatible PS4 games.

Choose physical or digital format

A disc-edition console supports physical game copies. Digital purchases keep games in a virtual library. Check the game format and console edition before buying.

Think about session length and tone

Ratchet & Clank keeps action moving. Shadow of the Colossus and The Last Guardian give more room to exploration and atmosphere. Journey Collector's Edition includes three shorter artistic experiences.

Use Black Friday 2026 to compare the whole setup

Compare game editions, console compatibility, and included accessories. Choose hardware and a game format that fit the player’s setup, then match the game to their preferred style.

FAQ

Ratchet and Clank 2016 vs Shadow of the Colossus: which should I buy?

Buy Ratchet & Clank (2016) for fast combat, humor, and a broad weapon selection. Buy Shadow of the Colossus for exploration, atmosphere, and 16 major boss encounters. Both are single-player PS4 games, so the decision comes down to action-packed pacing versus a quieter adventure.

Is Ratchet & Clank (2016) a remake?

Ratchet & Clank (2016) is a reimagining of the original series adventure, with updated visuals, redesigned sequences, and a new presentation. The PS4 game focuses on single-player action-platforming and includes more than 20 weapons. Players seeking a newer PS5 entry can compare it with Rift Apart.

Is Shadow of the Colossus a difficult game?

Shadow of the Colossus is approachable in its basic controls, but its 16 colossi ask players to observe patterns, find climbing routes, and time attacks. The challenge comes from solving each encounter rather than fighting constant groups of enemies. Patient players tend to get the most from its deliberate design.

Can I play PS4 Ratchet & Clank games on PS5?

Yes. Ratchet & Clank (2016) is a PS4 title playable on PS5 through backward compatibility. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a separate game designed for PS5. Check the console and game edition details before buying, particularly when choosing a physical copy.

Which game has more action, Ratchet & Clank or Shadow of the Colossus?

Ratchet & Clank (2016) has more frequent action, with regular combat, platforming, and 20-plus weapons. Shadow of the Colossus centers its action on 16 giant boss encounters and quiet exploration between them. Players seeking constant momentum should choose Ratchet & Clank.

Is Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart worth it for PS5 owners?

Yes. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a strong PS5 choice for players who want colorful action-platforming, varied weapons, and two playable heroes. Its fast-moving presentation builds on the series style, while Astro Bot offers a platform-focused alternative with more than 80 levels.