Sony’s PlayStation 5 is finally here and the review is in.
Sony’s revamp of the PlayStation 5 is getting moderate applause from the tech world as reviewers rave about its features. Early reviews from The Verge, IGN, Tom’s Hardware, and others suggest that the PS5 Pro has been upgraded and is now the ultimate way to get games on the console. All that said, the biggest highlight so far has been PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) – Sony’s new AI-powered tool.
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Not only is the PS5 Pro a practical beast, but it also features a thoughtful redesign. It’s smaller, lighter, and runs quieter than its predecessor, addressing a few of the more common criticisms of the original PS5.
In a review for The Verge, Editor-in-Chief Sean Hollister summed it up well: “For every title I tried — while sitting no more than eight feet from a 65-inch TV — the PS5 Pro was clearly the better place to play.”
However, just because photographic fidelity is visually more appealing doesn’t mean it’s an easy recommendation. Here’s the downside:
1. The PS5 Pro is too expensive
It’s no surprise that the price tag has become a sticking point for all reviews. At $700, the PS5 Pro isn’t an easy sell to the casual gamer who might be satisfied with the PS5’s already impressive base performance. For many gamers, the jump in visual fidelity may not feel like an extra expense, especially if the base model continues to deliver a stellar experience at a more affordable price.
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As Rory Mellon from Tom’s Hardware put it, “It’s a luxury purchase that doesn’t offer the same value for money as the base PS5, which remains an extremely capable console.” Many echo this sentiment. While the PS5 Pro brings enhancements, it doesn’t fundamentally change the gaming experience to warrant a premium for those outside of the enthusiast bracket.
2. No disc drive
On top of the high barrier to entry, the PS5 Pro doesn’t come with a disc drive. “Considering its price, you’ll be disappointed to find out that the PS5 Pro doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles,” said Michael Higam in his IGN review.
However, Sony threw in a bit of good news. If you’re in the portable media camp, you can add a disc drive to the PS5 Pro. But brace yourself – that’ll run you an extra $80. The vertical stand is another unique purchase, too. It’s a curious move by Sony, considering that if there was a Venn diagram of hardcore console fans willing to drop $700 on the Pro, and those who still prize physical copies of games, it would be one big circle.
For a company banking on its most dedicated players, charging more for essentials sounds like a ton of strategy.
3. Lack of games
Not to add to the annoying “but the PS5 doesn’t have games”, one of the Pro’s minor complaints is, there are no games to sell you when you buy the console.
Sony’s first and foremost flagship titles have received quality patches to take advantage of the enhanced capabilities of the PS5 Pro, but they are patches.
As Polygon reviewer Cameron Faulkner notes in his review, the graphics improvements among the 50 Sony games that have received patches are “a mixed bag.”
The consensus among reviewers is that, in the next few years of the PS5’s life cycle, games in 2025 and beyond will be able to take full advantage of the console’s development potential. If they can do that, maybe the Pro won’t be such a hard sell for its price.