The single-player Story mode begins with the disappearance of several of the galaxies' greatest heroes. Ratchet and Clank soon discover that the heroes are being kidnapped and forced to compete in the galaxies' most popular, and deadliest, game show -- Dreadzone. This discovery leads the duo to the Shadow Sector, the roughest region of space, to confront media mogul Gleeman Vox, the show's producer. While en route, the duos' ship is hijacked and the two are taken hostage. Given Ratchet's status as a hero, and Dreadzone's lagging ratings, he is forced by Vox to compete in the game show. And, in order to make sure Ratchet complies, both he and Clank are fitted with deadlock collars that can be remotely detonated if the wearer ever becomes uncooperative or boring.
Ratchet is soon fitted with an ill-fitting suit (apparently Dreadzone isn't used to having constants with tails) and forced to compete in live competitions.