First PS5 Pro reviews from gaming publications: update for "fanatics", the rest - skip it

As the launch of PS5 Pro's official sales approaches, gaming journalists have released their initial reviews.

Critics praise the console's new features, such as PSSR, and highlight how its performance and quality modes blend to bring together the "best of both worlds," while also criticizing the steep price and calling the upgrade "non-essential."

PS5 Pro Specifications

You can view the specifications compared to the original PS5 via the link.

Below are the ratings and quotes from some authoritative gaming outlets:

Techradar — 4/5

“The PS5 Pro features remarkable enhancements that add immersion and beauty to games, while also boosting performance levels with smooth frame rates. The increase in storage capacity to 2 TB and the inclusion of Wi-Fi 7 are welcome changes. However, if you're not a PlayStation enthusiast obsessed with graphics — the Pro version can be skipped.”

IGN — 7/10

“For many, a game running at 30 fps isn't an issue; if you're satisfied with that performance level, it's better to save a few hundred dollars. The PS5 Pro doesn't fundamentally change the gaming process but simply makes it better and smoother.”

GamesRadar — 7/10

“The PS5 Pro justifies its price only in niche scenarios, but it delivers on its promise to enhance both graphics and frame rates. Justifying that $699.99 is still a challenge — especially for those with 50-65 inch televisions. People using a larger display or monitor will feel the benefits more sharply.”

Polygon — no rating

“Considering that the PS5 Pro costs $250 more than the most affordable slim PS5 model (and $300 more than a refurbished PS5), this upgrade should not be taken lightly by current owners or newcomers. The user interface remains completely the same... Over time, how much better the PS5 Pro is compared to the base PS5 will fade into the background. Instead, how the PS5 Pro will measure against the ongoing progression of graphics for PCs in 2025 and beyond will become a much more interesting — and telling — sign of whether it's worth your money.”

The Verge — no rating

“The PS5 Pro is a console for buyers who don't want to think too hard and can spend money for the best gaming experience alongside a large OLED display.”

Ars Technica — no rating

“When the PlayStation 2 launched, I thought video game graphics had reached a 'pretty good' plateau, after which future hardware enhancements would be largely unnecessary. Those thoughts now seem incredibly odd, given nearly two and a half decades of progression in console graphics and television displays. Still, the PS5 Pro gives me the same feeling, attempting to prove its worth with this next half-step in graphical power. Perhaps two decades from now, I will find those thoughts equally naive, viewing the PS5 Pro as a failed first step towards unification.”

Sales of the PS5 Pro officially begin tomorrow, November 7 — the sales date in Ukraine remains uncertain (previously, official retailers have advertised same-day sales on their sites, while some sources hinted at November 10 or later).

Photo: The Verge