Template:Appearances Challenge mode is a mode in gameplay featured in Ratchet & Clank, the 2016 re-imagined release, Going Commando, Up Your Arsenal, Deadlocked, Size Matters, Secret Agent Clank, Tools of Destruction, A Crack in Time, and Into the Nexus. After finishing the game, the player can replay the game while retaining all weapons with their upgrades and mods, nanotech level, bolts, armor, and collectible items. 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 x20.
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, extras, 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. Enemies are not significantly stronger than a normal 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
Challenge mode in Going Commando is the first version of the mode named "challenge mode", and the first with 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 Captain Qwark with . This version retains all bolts, platinum bolts, Raritanium, weapons and their weapon upgrades, weapon mods, nanotech, armor, and ship upgrades. New Mega Weapon upgrades become available for all upgraded weapons at a MegaCorp vendor, including for Gadgetron weapons that cannot upgrade, and the entirely new Clank Zapper becomes available. 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.
Items retained in this mode are the Charge Boots, Box Breaker, Armor Magnetizer, and the Mapper.
Up Your Arsenal
Challenge mode in Up Your Arsenal is available after the credits and final cutscene, in which a message will appear, with the option to enter challenge mode by pressing , or to timewarp to before defeating Dr. Nefarious with 
. This version retains all bolts, titanium bolts, weapons at their current level, nanotech, armor, and ship customization. The bolt multiplier is available, allowing the player to earn bolts more quickly by defeating enemies without taking damage. Mega Weapons become available for all fully upgraded V5 weapons at a Gadgetron vendor, including MegaCorp weapons bought from Slim Cognito. The RY3NO becomes available in challenge mode for 3,000,000 bolts, and both Annihilation Nation and Galactic Ranger missions' bolt rewards increase greatly. Maximum nanotech can also be upgraded up to 200.
Items retained in this mode are Charge Boots, the Bolt Grabber V2, Gadgetron PDA, and the Nano-pak.
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 and their current versions (including the last OmniWrench upgrade purchased), alpha mods, omega mods, and Combat Bot 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 x12. Maximum nanotech can also be upgraded up to 999.
Going Mobile
Challenge mode in Going Mobile allows the player to retain bolts and weapons on an additional playthrough.
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 before defeating Otto Destruct. Titan version of fully upgraded V4 weapons can be purchased from a 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. In addition to all previous armor being retained, the Hyperborean armor becomes obtainable throughout, while a third playthrough (second challenge mode playthrough) makes the Chameleon armor obtainable.
Items retained in this version are the PDA, Box Breaker, and Bolt Grabber.
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 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. Nanotech can be upgraded up to 85, and the bolt multiplier is available.
In this version, Klunk, the final boss, becomes exceptionally powerful.
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. Nanotech can be upgraded up to a maximum of 999, 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. The bolt multiplier is also available.
Items retained in this version are the Box Basher 2000, Armor Magnetizer, and Charge Boots.
A Crack in Time
Challenge mode in A Crack in Time is available after the credits. All bolts, gold bolts, RYNO V holo-plans, weapons at their current level, and armor are retained. Nanotech can be upgraded to a maximum of 199, and Omega versions of fully upgraded weapons can be purchased.
Into the Nexus
Challenge mode in Into the Nexus is available after beating the game, and can be begun from the start screen thereafter. 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 upgraded 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 begun from the start screen thereafter. All bolts, Raritanium, gold bolts, RYNO holocards, and weapons at their current level are retained. As the game is completed, a teleporter to the Insomniac Museum is also available on Veldin.
The Map-o-Matic and Box Breaker are also retained.