The excitement is palpable as Sony’s PlayStation 5 Pro finally makes its debut, and the early verdict is rolling in. Across the tech landscape, from The Verge to IGN and Tom’s Hardware, this latest iteration of the PS5 is creating quite the buzz. The PS5 Pro, an upgrade that’s touting itself as the ultimate gaming experience, introduces a feature that’s been capturing attention: PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), an innovative AI-driven upscaling tool that takes visuals to the next level.
Beyond its powerhouse performance, the PS5 Pro stands out for its revamped design. It’s taken a sleeker, more compact form compared to its predecessor. Plus, it’s whisper-quiet, addressing some of the criticisms aimed at the original PS5. Sean Hollister, Senior Editor at The Verge, captured the essence of this experience perfectly by stating, “In every title I tried — while sitting no more than eight feet away from a 65-inch TV — the PS5 Pro was clearly the better place to play.”
However, even with these enhancements, there are some aspects that have stirred up a bit of controversy. So, let’s break it down:
### 1. Steep Price Tag
For many reviewers, the PS5 Pro’s $700 price point is hard to overlook. Many casual gamers, who might already be thrilled with the base PS5’s excellent performance, may balk at the additional cost. The leap in visual quality might not justify the extra expense for them, especially when the base model continues to offer a top-notch gaming experience. Rory Mellon from Tom’s Hardware voices a common sentiment: “It’s an extravagant purchase that doesn’t offer the same value for money found in the base PS5.” These sentiments are echoed widely, as the enhancements do not revolutionize the gaming experience enough to justify the steep price for anyone except the most die-hard enthusiasts.
### 2. Absence of a Disc Drive
Adding to the list of premium omissions, the PS5 Pro is disc-drive-free. Michael Higam from IGN didn’t shy away from expressing his disappointment, noting that such a crucial feature is missing despite the high price point. If you’re not ready to let go of physical media, there’s an option to purchase an add-on disc drive for an extra $80. Moreover, Sony has opted to sell the vertical stand separately. For the brand’s core audience—the dedicated gamers who are ready to invest heavily in their consoles—this might seem like an ill-advised move.
### 3. Limited Game Selection
While I won’t dive deep into the enduring argument about the PS5’s game library, it must be said that the Pro currently lacks new games that showcase its capabilities. Sony’s flagship titles have indeed received updates to leverage the new hardware’s potential, yet these are merely patches to existing games. As Cameron Faulkner of Polygon points out, the benefits of these updates are a mixed bag, offering incremental improvements at best. The consensus is that the true strength of the PS5 Pro might only be realized in coming years as new games are developed to fully exploit its enhanced graphics and performance features. If that future does materialize, the Pro’s price tag might seem more reasonable in hindsight.
In conclusion, while the PS5 Pro packs impressive technological strides and design upgrades, its hefty price, lack of a built-in disc drive, and current game selection keep it from being a no-brainer upgrade for most gamers. Perhaps as the library grows and prices shift, it’ll become a more compelling choice. Until then, the base PS5 remains a formidable contender in the console arena.
