The lines between high-end PCs and video game consoles are blurring, which means the tired console wars are winding down. On the software side, once-exclusive Microsoft and PlayStation games are going cross-platform after a certain amount of time to draw larger audiences. And on the hardware side, Sony has released the PlayStation 5 Pro.

The company’s mid-generation refresh is smaller than the original system while packing a bigger hardware punch. It boasts an upgraded GPU that has faster memory and 67% more compute units. That makes the PS5 Pro the most powerful console on the market, and that enables two big features: advanced ray tracing and PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution.

LIVING UP TO ITS TAGLINE

These two improvements translate to more realistic graphics and better immersion. The upgraded ray tracing means that light behaves more naturally and players can see that in games such as “Alan Wake 2.” Wandering the world, players can see accurate reflections on tables and the surface of puddles. The artificial intelligence-enhanced PSSR is just as impactful allowing particle effects to be more noticeable in games such as “Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart” while making signs sharper in racing titles such as “EA F1 2024.”

All of this means that PS5 is finally living up to its tagline — “Play Has No Limits.” When the console first came out in 2020, one of the disappointing aspects was that though the system boasted more power, players had to choose how to use it. They had to pick between higher-fidelity visuals or smoother frame rates. Now, the PS5 Pro has enough juice that it can do both and players have the best of both worlds.

The stronger hardware also makes games that pushed the PS5 to its limits more playable. In “Dragon’s Dogma 2,” players encountered slowdowns in cities, but with the PS5 Pro that minor problem goes away and players can delve into the fantasy world, seeing it in the way developers intended. For competitive gaming, the system also supports games’ 120 Hz displays for ultra smooth visuals.

Depending on the game and setup, the improvements can make the experience a half-step better. At worst, the upgrade is negligible or it may not be noticeable to all but the most hard-core gamers.

OTHER UPGRADES

The other improvements to the system include a bigger hard drive at 2TB. That means the system can hold more games though it doesn’t come with a disc drive. Consumers have to purchase that separately. The system also has an expansion slot for an M.2 SSD drive. Players who already have one installed on their original PS5 can just remove it, plug it into the PS5 Pro and see it work instantly as long as the user is the same.

When it comes to internet connection, it includes an ethernet port for the fastest speeds, and it also supports IEEE 802.11be if the users’ router supports. In addition, the PS5 Pro also enhances older PS4 games if players have access to them.

A HEFTY PRICE TAG

The improvements make the PS5 Pro sound like a winner until players check the price. At $699, the console costs $200 more than the original console at launch. The price puts it on par with budget gaming rigs, bringing up a value proposition and one big question: Who is the PS5 Pro for?

One thing that separates Sony’s newest system and a budget gaming rig is that it can output games at 4K comfortably. It’s likely to be upscaled, but it won’t have issues running games. The beauty of a console is that players can plug it in and play without having to fidget with the settings or worry about incompatibility problems. Everything just works as players sit on the couch.

With a $700 PC, players will likely set up a machine that outputs visuals comfortably at 1440p. The graphics will be solid and can compete with the PS5 Pro. But being a PC also means that players will be sitting at a desk unless one uses the machine in the living room.

In the wider scheme of things, the PS5 Pro fills a niche that gaming rigs support admirably. Sony’s latest console is a play for hardcore gamers who want to enjoy the latest games in the best way possible. With PC gaming, players, who can afford a nearly $2,000 graphics card can save the world at the highest settings possible and enjoy all the bells and whistles developers put in the game.

The PS5 Pro tries to capture that same audience by offering visuals that are a step lower but come with more convenience and stability. Players know that the titles will be optimized for the system and will have visuals that can compete with higher-end rigs. If players are choosing to buy “Dragon Age: The Veilguard” on PC vs. PS5 Pro, it makes the decision closer.

When it comes to PlayStation exclusives, the choice is easier because Sony is now porting more of those projects over to PC, but players have to sit tight for at least a year. It’s almost like waiting for a blockbuster movie to hit the DVD market in the 1990s. Players who want the best experience sooner will pick up a PS5 Pro rather than wait for it to come to PC.

This shows how the video game industry is maturing. The differences between platforms are disappearing as more systems are capable of running complex games. Soon, more focus will be on the content of the projects rather than what system it runs on, and that creates a better environment where everyone can have fun.

PlayStation 5 Pro

3 stars out of 4

Price: $699

Manufacturer: Sony

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