The current generation of consoles has been a unique one, to say the least. While Nintendo launched their incredibly successful Switch in 2017, both Sony and Microsoft launched consoles during a global pandemic in late 2020.
With supply chains hampered and a major chip shortage because of it, stock was a major issue for the first year or so. The knock on effect of this was many people did not upgrade to the PS5 or Xbox Series X and S.
Because of this, newer games have also released on older hardware (PS4/Xbox One) for a longer period. While Xbox has decided against a mid-generation upgrade, Sony has decided to go full steam ahead with the PS5 Pro.
The main issue developers have faced this generation has been consistently meeting the promised threshold of 60 frames per second (fps) at a 4k resolution.
This meant that to reach 60 fps, the resolution often took a hit, leading to a smoother experience but one that lacked clarity.
For those who prefer better resolution, there is a quality mode which runs at 30fps but is able to reach 4k resolution.
Enter the PS5 Pro. No longer do developers have to pick between either fps or resolution. When a game gets a patch making it PS5 Pro enhanced, you get the best of both worlds: 60fps with a crisp 4k resolution.
If your TV supports a variable refresh rate (VRR), games can also reach above 60 fps depending on the game.
The Pro also comes with 2TB (terabytes) compared to the base PS5's 825GB and supports Wi-Fi 7, which means faster download speeds for games.
Design wise, it is somewhere in between the original PS5 and the recent PS5 slim. While it is the same height as the base PS5, it retains the leaner form factor of the slim.
There is also the addition of vents on the sides which not only help with airflow but give it a distinct aesthetic.
Sadly, for your €800 you do not get a stand, and it is a digital-only console. Either you have to do without physical games or buy a disc drive separately down the line.
Smooth operator
In terms of what is happening underneath the hood, what allows Sony to not compromise resolution with higher framrates is their new AI-driven upscaling system called PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR).
It is not too dissimilar to Nvidia's Deep learning super sampling (DLSS) which upscales the resolution of PC games in real-time to provide a much sharper image with more detail.
I was sceptical about how much of a difference PSSR would actually make, but I immediately noticed just how clearer the image was.
The first game I booted up on the Pro was The Last of Us Part 1. I was sceptical about how much of a difference PSSR would actually make, but I immediately noticed just how clearer the image was.
Whether it was the increased detail of objects in the foreground or the much sharper clarity of buildings in the distance, the difference was stark.
As well as the AI upscaling, the PS5 Pro offers an upgraded graphics processing unit (GPU) which includes 67 per cent more compute units and 28 per cent faster memory.
As Sony states, it leads to 45 per cent faster rendering over the base PS5. The third main component to the Pro is the advanced ray tracing feature.
It provides more dynamic reflection and refraction of light, allowing rays to be cast at double or triple the speed of the original PS5.
Enhanced experience
What does this all mean for the games though? The biggest notable difference while playing PS5 Pro enhanced games is the increased resolution.
At times, it feels like owning a powerful PC that renders games with increased clarity and fidelity.
At times, it feels like owning a powerful PC that renders games with increased clarity and fidelity.
There is a built-in feature which enhances PS4 games, but the problem is there is no list available of what games it works on and the ones they do work on have a negligible impact.
In terms of what games are PS5 Pro enhanced, Sony has released a list of over 50 games which take advantage of the new features, with more expected to be announced in the future.
These include the likes of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Horizon Forbidden West and Spider-Man 2.
Speaking of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, it is one of the games that benefits most from the console upgrade. The original game had both a 30 and 60fps option.
The problem was the resolution in performance mode took a major hit, with many people remarking it looked "blurry", meaning there was less detail and muddier textures.
Thankfully, on the PS5 Pro those issues are largely resolved with the new versatility mode. Textures are noticeably sharper and the world around you is teeming with life rather than looking muzzy.
Price tag
While YouTube videos give you a good idea of the difference between the PS5 and Pro, they really cannot do it justice. If you have a 4k TV with high dynamic range (HDR), you will notice a major difference from the base console.
The real question is if this is all worth €800? That is the real elephant in the room. Given that a good PC graphics card alone can cost anywhere between €600-€1000, it might not seem strange to pay €800 for a console.
The issue here is the precedent of home consoles costing that much when they usually cost around €500 or €600. This is very much an enthusiast device which does not appeal to your average gamer.
Sony realises this and they are clearly testing the waters with the price tag. If you are someone that is happy with your PS5, there is no reason to rush out to buy the Pro.
It all comes down to what you find value in. If you are someone who has money to spare and wants the best console experience, the Pro is certainly worth it.
If you care about higher resolution and framreates, the PS5 Pro does exactly what it says on the box. As the library of Pro enhanced games continues to expand, the true potential of the console will become even clearer.
