PS5 Pro Reviews: The Top 3 Criticisms of the New Console

Sony’s PlayStation 5 refresh has hit the scene, and evaluators are buzzing. Across the tech sphere, it’s generating a fair amount of excitement, as major outlets like The Verge, IGN, and Tom’s Hardware dive into what this upgrade, the PS5 Pro, has to offer. They’ve recognized it as pushing the envelope in console gaming. Among its features, the PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) is stealing the show, showcasing Sony’s latest AI-powered upscaling tool.

When you look under the hood of the PS5 Pro, it’s a powerhouse that also boasts a smart, user-friendly redesign. Unlike its older sibling, this version is more compact, lighter, and whispers quietly while running, taking on some of the more noticeable complaints directed at the original PS5. Sean Hollister from The Verge captures the experience succinctly: "Across every game I tested, sitting just eight feet from a massive 65-inch screen, the PS5 Pro was the place to be."

Now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves—there are a few things you might want to mull over.

1. The Cost of Fun

Brace yourself for the sticker shock. At $700, the PS5 Pro’s price tag is turning heads and not just in a good way. For those who game casually, the base PS5 might still be the sweet spot, offering impressive performance without the added financial commitment. It begs the question: is the visual leap enough to justify the splurge? Many, like Rory Mellon at Tom’s Hardware, don’t think so. Echoing a familiar sentiment, Mellon notes that while the improved features are nice, they don’t completely revolutionize the gaming experience for anyone but the most die-hard fans.

2. Disk Drive Woes

Hand in hand with the high price is the absence of a disc drive. Michael Higam from IGN points out, "For the cost, you’d expect all the bells and whistles, and the PS5 Pro skips a few." If physical media is your thing, you’re not entirely out of luck—you can add a disc drive, but it’ll cost you an extra $80. Sony’s decision to separate out essentials like a vertical stand compounds the confusion. Considering their target demographic likely hovers in a space where physical games are valued, this move could be a head-scratcher for many fans.

3. The Game Conundrum

The criticism isn’t new, but reality bites: there’s a noticeable lack of killer games that make the PS5 Pro a must-own. Sure, Sony’s top-tier games have received updates harnessing the Pro’s enhanced capabilities, but these are mostly cosmetic patches rather than groundbreaking new titles. Cameron Faulkner at Polygon mentions the mixed results in graphics quality improvements across the games that have been updated. The bigger picture? Patience. As the PS5 continues its run, games set for release post-2025 may be the true test of the Pro’s revelation. Perhaps then, the investment will feel more justified.

With the PS5 Pro, Sony’s asking its loyal community to wait with bated breath for the true impact. Only time will tell if the gamble pays off.