Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One arrives Oct. 18

Ratchet & Clank fans who've been craving the duo's high-energy hijinks finally have a date for their next outing. This morning, Sony Computer Entertainment America announced that the next installment in the series, Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One, will ship on October 18 exclusively for the PlayStation 3. The game has not yet been rated.

The ninth game set in the Ratchet & Clank universe, All 4 One is set after the events of 2009's A Crack in Time. The title stems from the fact that the game sees Ratchet and Clank team up with sometimes ally Captain Qwark and usual antagonist Doctor Nefarious. The four must work together after one of the latter's evil schemes goes awry, trapping all four characters inside a mysterious device.

Developed by series creator Insomniac Games, All 4 One also gets its name from the fact that it supports on- and offline four-player co-op. Players can control one of the four main characters in the mode, which also supports drop-in and drop-out online play. The game will also sport the over-the-top weaponry and gameplay the series is known for, as outlined in GameSpot's recent preview. Stereoscopic 3D visuals are also an option, provided players have the requisite glasses and 3D television.

SCEA also revealed some preorder incentives in the form of four retailer-specific weapons. Those who preorder All 4 One at GameStop will get Mr. Zurkon, a hovering, laser-cannon-equipped robot that taunts enemies. Amazon preorders will come with a T-Red Morph Mod, which turns foes into baby dinosaurs, while Best Buy preorders will sport a Pyro Blaster Unlock, a super-powered flamethrower. Finally, Wal-Mart preorders arrive with a code for the Sheepinator Mod, which transforms enemies into sheep.

Sony also revealed today that games set in the Ratchet & Clank realm have sold over 22 million units. The franchise began in 2002 with an eponymous outing on the PlayStation 2 and has also appeared on the PSP and mobile phones, as well as the PS3.