ThePlayStationhas brought gamers 30 years worth of stories and memories all around the world. Sony’s beloved console has continued its impressive run with help from both its devoted fan base and extensive roster of exclusive first-party titles. Through the years, thePlayStationhas evolved with the ever-changing landscape of the industry, but one thing it has consistently done well is bring strong single-player stories to life.
Within the single-player landscape, the platformer genre quickly found a home on the PlayStation, and it greatly defined the early life of the console. As time passed, mascot platformers became less prevalent across all consoles, not just PlayStation. The more modern era of Sony’s consoles have focused more on strong character-driven narratives, likeThe Last of UsandGhost of Tsushima. This trend still continues, butthe arrival ofAstro Botin 2024marked an important milestone for Sony. Now, betweenRatchet & ClankandAstro Bot, PlayStation has two mascots that perfectly define these separate eras.
Ratchet & Clank and Astro Bot Show Two Sides of PlayStation’s History
Ratchet & Clank Helped Kickstart PlayStation’s Legacy of Mascot Platformers
Of course, it’s important to note thatCrash Bandicootcame beforeRatchet & Clankmade it onto the scene, but the former hasn’t been a Sony exclusive since the 90s. However, once the PS2 dropped in 2000, it signaled a new era for Sony,paving the way forRatchet & Clankto become a huge marketing pull for the console. The firstRatchet & Clankwouldn’t arrive until two years later in 2002, but its impact on the console is unmistakable. The lovable Lombax and his robot companion quickly became an iconic duo, spawning years of sequels and spin-offs.
Even today,Ratchet & Clankhas still played a part in Sony’s plans.Rift Apart, launched for the PS5 in 2021, and there is still the possibility of more entries in the future. However, there is also the chance that theRatchet & Clankfranchise may be coming to a close. Developer Insomniac hasn’t confirmed such a decision, but as time passes,Ratchet & Clank’s importance to Sonydoesn’t feel as prevalent as it once did. Only time will tell, but if the series eventually meets an end,Astro Botis already carrying the torch into the future.
According to the notorious 2023 Insomniac leaks, the nextRatchet & Clankgame may not arrive until 2029.
Astro Bot is Now the Modern Face of Sony
For a free game that originally served as a tech demo for the PS5’s DualSense controller,Astro’s Playroomkickstarted excitement for the genre again. Thanks to the success of this incredibly fun demo, developer Team Asobi got the opportunity to create a full-blownAstro Botgame. Since its launch in 2024,Astro Bothas been praised for its blend of nostalgia and innovationthat balances something fresh with the classic PlayStation platformer feel.
Astro Botsold 1.5 million copies in its first 2 months.
The game took 2024’s gaming awards season by storm, racking up an impressive number of Game of the Year titles.Astro Botisa celebration of the PlayStation itself, but also marks the return of something the PS5 and Sony’s modern era have been sorely missing; a mascot that appeals to a wide demographic. Characters like Ellie fromTLOUandHorizon’s Aloy are great in their own right, but Astro has the benefit of being both family-friendly and a joy for adult gamers.
Now, betweenRatchet & ClankandAstro Bot, PlayStation has two mascots that perfectly define these separate eras.
The PlayStation’s Future Will Likely Continue to Put Astro Bot in the Spotlight
While it’s unfortunate thatRatchet & Clankmay take a backseat moving forward,Astro Botbeingthe newfound face of the PlayStation brandat least puts the console’s legacy in great hands. As the years continue, it will be fascinating to see how much more prevalentAstro Botcontinues to become in Sony’s marketing.
