The PSP already boasts versions of some of the PS2’s biggest names including Jak & Daxter, Killzone and Metal Gear: Solid. Now it can add one more heavy-hitter to its list with Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters.

Size Matters looks just as good, if not better, than the PS2 series. There are a few areas where it is clear that corners were cut, but the overall look and appeal is great. All of the planets have their own distinct look, complete with level-specific enemies like sheep who turn into raging monsters when the sun does down. Even more impressive is that there is hardly ever a drop in framerate, even during the game’s more hectic moments where you can have numerous enemies, explosions and bolts on the screen at once.

Size Matters also manages to bring the series’ sense of humor over intact. Both the delivery and timing of Ratchet and Clank’s banter is great and helps to build up the game's “buddy movie” feel.

Music has the same feel as previous games, though with everything going on during the game, you probably won’t hear much of it.

Ratchet & Clank’s latest adventure begins when the duo is approached by a young girl named Luna who is doing a report on the two heroes for school. Never one to let publicity pass him by, Ratchet agrees to show Luna some of his moves. However, Ratchet’s exhibition is cut short when Luna is kidnapped. The only clue the two have to go on is a piece of technology built by the Technomites, a mythical group of tiny beings who, according to legend, are the reason technology works in the first place.

Size Matters is every bit a Ratchet & Clank adventure. Gameplay goes back to the style seen in the second and third installments rather than the fourth, Deadlocked. Most of the game revolves around using gadgets to overcome obstacles and blast enemies. While there is a considerable amount of platform jumping present, a majority of the action involves shooting waves of enemies. This helps to up the game’s pacing as well as giving you loads of opportunity to upgrade your weapons.

Gadgets and weapons have always been the series’ stand-out element, and Size Matters doesn’t disappoint. Most of the weapons found in the game are either new to the series or remakes of past weapons. These range from normal blasters and shotguns to more eccentric weapons like a beehive mine and acid-splattering grenades. All of the weapons can be upgraded either though use or by purchasing upgrade mods.

While most of your time is spent playing as Ratchet, Size Matters also boasts a number of other gameplay styles when playing as his sidekick, Clank. Although the spherical planet levels don’t appear in the PSP game, Clank can still transform into his giant form and take part in Starfox-styled shooter levels. Clank can also control smaller robots in order to solve puzzles, or attach himself to a “battle body” and participate in matches that resemble high school robot battles.

True to the series, several side-jobs are found on each planet, allowing you to collect a few more bolts as well as extra gadgets and upgrades. A majority of the side-jobs involve Clank as he either fights in the robot arena in robot battles or a toss the robot into the goal game. Also available is a Lemmings-like game where you need to order a certain number of robots to perform duties in order to reach the goal. Ratchet can participate in hoverboard races, though these were among my least favorite parts of the game thanks to iffy controls.

Size Matters also reintroduces armor to the series, though in a different form. Armor parts are found either in levels or by completing certain challenges. You can mix-and-match armor pieces for different damage reduction bonuses.

The single-player campaign offers more than enough game for your buck, but High Impact has taken things a step further by also offering multiplayer modes. Multiplayer matches can be played either over Ad Hoc or Infrastructure mode. In addition to standard Deathmatch and Capture the Flag modes, Size Matters also offers two team-based challenges that have you planning strategic strikes on bases with missiles or collecting cattle.

Size Matters is one of the harder games in the series, though it is overly generous with replay options, eliminating any frustrating moments. Problems can be separated into two types: gameplay and technical. Gameplay problems usually hinge on smart use of gadgets. Knowing what to use, or more importantly when to use it, is more than half the battle.

Most of Size Matter’s technical difficulties are due to the camera. Although it does a reasonably good job at keeping up with what is happening on the screen, there are times where it gets caught in odd angles. Most of the time, you can click the shoulder buttons and fix it, though when you are trying to quickly jump between platforms or in battle, this isn’t always an option, leaving you open to attack from behind or obscuring a precarious ledge.

For the most part, High Impact has done a great job at bringing the PS2 version’s controls to the PSP. If the PSP has shown anything, it is that trying to work a two-analog stick system into a one-stick system is a difficult task. Size Matters manages to pull off the conversion, though not without a few snags along the way.

The analog nub moves while the face buttons are your primary actions like attack, gadget control and jumping. Overall, the layout works, though some actions, like doing a super-jump, are a little too complicated and never seem to work all the time. Strafing produces another minor issue, if only because you have to train your brain to move from the analog stick to the D-pad if you want to strafe.

Both the camera and control scheme can be customized in the Options menu, making the issues more forgivable. It takes some trial-and-error, but it is easy to find a configuration that works.

I’ll admit, I have a bit of a soft spot when it comes to the Ratchet & Clank series. But even if you have somehow managed to avoid the PS2 versions, Size Matters is worth a look if you are looking for a new game for your PSP.