After nearly two decades of speculation, fans have uncovered Ratchet and Clank: Clone Home, a 2006 Java-based mobile game once thought to be lost forever. Initially developed as a sequel to Ratchet and Clank: Going Mobile, the project was quietly canceled before its release, fading into obscurity and surviving only through faint traces in promotional screenshots and fragmented rumors. Now, through an extraordinary effort by the fan community, the long-missing title has been fully recovered and preserved.
The discovery was made by members of the Ratchet and Clank modding and speedrunning communities, who managed to locate a functioning 2004-era mobile phone containing encrypted files of the unreleased game. Through meticulous preservation work, the team successfully decrypted the data, revealing a nearly complete build of Clone Home. The breakthrough not only confirms that the title existed but also that it had reached an advanced stage of development before its cancellation.
Unlike Going Mobile, which was developed by Handheld Games, Clone Home was handled by JavaGround. The studio expanded upon the mechanics of its predecessor, refining gameplay with smoother controls, new weapons, and a stronger narrative framework. The plot centers on digital replicas of Ratchet and Clank created by Gleeman Vox, the notorious antagonist from Ratchet: Deadlocked. Players navigate between the original duo and their clones while utilizing an arsenal that includes the Lancer, Mini-Nuke, and the “Yoozi,” a weapon capable of transforming enemies into sheep—a nod to the series’ signature humor.
Though unfinished in some aspects, the game demonstrates remarkable ambition for a mid-2000s Java title, with its design reflecting a serious attempt to deliver a console-like experience on early mobile hardware. Through emulation, Clone Home is now fully playable, offering a rare glimpse into a nearly forgotten period of handheld gaming innovation.
The reasons behind its cancellation remain uncertain, but available evidence suggests that licensing and contractual complications between Sony and Handheld Games likely played a decisive role. Creative differences appear less probable, as the recovered files indicate a cohesive and well-developed project.
The rediscovery of Clone Home marks an important achievement for video game preservationists. It stands as a testament to the dedication of fans such as Emily and Super Gamer Omega Clank, whose persistence ensured that this obscure piece of PlayStation history would not be lost to time. Their efforts highlight the value of community-led archival work and the ongoing need to safeguard even the most niche titles within gaming’s vast history.
Through this remarkable find, Ratchet and Clank: Clone Home finally emerges from the shadows of forgotten media, offering players and historians alike a rare opportunity to experience a lost chapter from one of PlayStation’s most beloved franchises.
