Ratchet and Clank Vita delayed to 2013

Subtitled Full Frontal Assault, the Vita version of the next game in the Ratchet and Clank series has been delayed to January 2013, according to Sony Computer Entertainment America producer Greg Phillips.

Announced on the PlayStation Blog about a week ago, the Cross-Buy and Cross-Play enable game that launches today on the PlayStation 3 in both Blu-Ray retail and online varieties will not get a Vita version until next year.

You can bet some bizarre and oddly awesome weapons will make an appearance this time around.

There is no reason cited for the delay, but to thank players for being ever so patient (when are we ever patient?), anyone who grabs the game on PS3 will get a free Mini-Boss Skin as appreciation. It is clear that the game is finished, and with Cross-Buy as part of the deal, getting the PS3 game now will net you a copy of the Vita version when it launches. It might be interesting to see how the game is different, although with Cross-Play functionality, true variety has to be limited to accommodate cross-platform play.

A smaller developer, Tin Giant, is handling the porting of the game from the console to Sony’s portable, while the main title has actually been designed and developed by Insomniac Games who also makes the Spyro the Dragon series a reality.

Players will be treated to some classic Ratchet and Clank gameplay and be given the ability to play as Ratchet, Clank (in normal and Giant form), and Captain Quark. The game is also based around the more traditional third-person view the game is known for but is said to be adding a new tower-defense style mechanic into the gameplay. Co-op and online play have also made their way into the game.

Ratchet and Clank: Full Frontal Assault is available now on the PlayStation Store and at retail locations for PlayStation 3 and will hit virtual and real shelves in January 2013 for the PlayStation Vita. Stay tuned for the Eggplante review!