When Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters was announced for the PSP, fans understandably cheered. When it was announced that High Impact Games, and not Insomniac Games, would be handling the port (albeit with Insomniac's support), everyone quieted down somewhat. Well, fear not R&C fan, High Impact has put together a game very much worthy of the original developer's vision, and then some.

Unlike Daxter, Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters is not a spin-off or a remake, but a proper installation in the R&C series. Everything you have grown to love about the previous games such as the variety of interesting weaponry and gadgets, slick cartoon-like animation, and snarky humor and voice acting has made the jump. While the game is slightly scaled down in a number of ways for the PSP (smaller levels, overall length for example), it comes off as full featured as you would hope for a portable incarnation of the series.

The PSP packs some serious graphical horsepower and Size Matters makes some of the best use of the capabilities yet. Even when compared to the impressive PlayStation 2 originals, the engine in the PSP version is surprisingly robust. Screenshots do not at all show off the solid, and silky smooth framerate, very well modeled and animated characters, and extensive screen filling particle and special effects. If you were at all impressed with the visuals of the PS2 games, you'll be doubly impressed with how Size Matters comes across on the PSP. High Impact really came through with everything from the interesting level designs and environments, to the ambient little graphical touches like Ratchet's ability-keyed animated footprints.

One of the major complaints lodged against a lot of PSP titles these days usually stems from the system's lack of a second analog stick. Developers have dropped the ball to an extent in working around the limitation, but a number of them have seemingly figured it out. High Impact Games is among the latter. The (default) setup in which the primary analog stick handles forward/backward movement and turning, and the d-pad for strafing/lateral movement, works very nicely. Instead of a camera look option, which would normally be placed onto a second stick, they have mapped the ability to rotate the camera at will to the L and R shoulder buttons. After a short amount of time, the combination allows you to run and gun, strafe and rotate almost as effortlessly as if there were a second analog stick. A few abilities, such as high jumping, ducking and wrench tossing have been re-mapped to use both triggers simultaneously as a modifier, but in all actuality, they are used very sparingly during the actual game. The camera mostly behaves itself, but there are times it gets in the way and you lose sight of you intended targets. It's generally not too shabby since you still have decent control over it.

As is expected in a Ratchet & Clank game, Size Matters is fully voiced and always amusing. The two characters play well off of one another - with Ratchet's know-it-all attitude and Clank's logical naivety. As in Daxter, the sparse story is told in CG cutscenes that are rendered using in-game assets (to look as if they are realtime). The music is actually well done and very similar in style to the PS2 games, and the same can be said of the sound effects.

Size Matters takes you from planet to planet initially in search of a kidnapped little girl which soon segue into the tackling of an intergalactic mystery and evil plot. The game is linear, but at one point allows access to previously visited areas. Game structure is pretty standard fare; Explore the environment, take out the enemies, collect bolts, purchase/find new weapons and gadgets, and perform whatever goals are required. R&C mixes up the shooting and platforming action with various mini-games, such as racing, lockpicking (via rail grinding), 3D space shooting and even bits of real time strategy when utilizing Clank. With the amount of weapons, armor and gadgets available, along with the ability to customize and upgrade, there is actual incentive to head back into prior areas to pick up more bolts in order to beef up your armory. As with the latter PS2 titles and Resistance for the PS3, the game also features "Skill Points" which are more or less Xbox 360 style Achievements to be unlocked within the game. Size Matters is on the short side, but definitely isn't a pushover. It autosaves frequently, and also has checkpoints scattered about although the game has a tendency to assault you with some difficult battles right before reaching one. Additionally, the enemy strength level always seems to be just a smidge above your own. In other words, expect to play a few segments a number of times.

In what should be mandatory on all PSP games, R&C: Size Matters has both a local and an online Infrastructure multiplayer mode. While only limited to 4 players, the developer has included full set of functionality including a friend/enemy list, several customizable single and team play modes, and more. After playing through the single player campaign and unlocking everything possible, it's always nice to have the ability to head online to mix it up with others.

If you own a PSP and have any love for the Ratchet & Clank series or the genre, Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters is a no-brainer. For those not yet familiar with the duo, the PSP game is a nice, charming, starting point into the shooter/platforming action. Either way, Size Matters has us more than excited for the pending Ratchet & Clank PS3 unveiling.