The player controls Ratchet from a third-person perspective and uses weapons to defeat enemies. The player can also use gadgets to explore new areas. The player travels to planets in the "Bogon" Galaxy and completes main objectives and optional side quests. "Bolts," the game world's currency, are primarily obtained by defeating enemies and breaking crates located throughout the game's levels.[3] Going Commando also includes four types of "maxi-games", or minigames. These games include arena battles, spherical world battles, hover bike races, and space races/battles.[3]After completing the game, the player may also enter "challenge mode," which is more difficult, but the player starts with the weapons and health that they had when they finished the game the first time, and additional weapon upgrades are also unlocked.[4]
Going Commando introduces eighteen new weapons, such as the Blitz Gun, Seeker and Lava Gun.[5] Each weapon has a "growth bar", which increases when the weapon is used to defeat enemies. The weapon is upgraded once the bar is filled, increasing its power and changing the design of it.[5] Certain devices from the original Ratchet & Clank make a return, such as the Swingshot, while others are new to Going Commando.[6] The player can use a save file from the original Ratchet & Clank to get "retro" weapons from the first game for free.[3]
As with weapons, Ratchet gains experience with each enemy destroyed. When Ratchet's experience bar fills, he gains a new level of "nanotech." This awards him with additional health bubbles, up to a maximum of 80.[7][8] Ratchet's health can also be increased by finding nanotech upgrades.[9] The game introduces armor vendors, which are able to provide up to four additional levels of protection.[9]
