PS5 Pro Is Becoming One of the Worst PlayStation Consoles Ever, But It’s Not All Sony’s Fault

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Let’s talk about the PlayStation 5 Pro. It’s been almost a year since Sony released the updated version of the PS5, and as a big PlayStation fan, I was excited to try it out. While I generally like the improvements – like the bigger storage and smaller size – actually playing games on it hasn’t been as impressive as I’d hoped.

Even though the PS5 Pro has a lot of processing power and uses impressive technology like PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution to enhance games, many titles aren’t delivering the performance players hoped for. Considering the high cost of the console, this inconsistency makes the PS5 Pro one of Sony’s most underwhelming releases. While Sony isn’t entirely to blame for these issues, the overall experience is falling short of expectations.

PS5 Pro Is a Mess, But Sony Isn’t Fully to Blame

The PS5 Pro is a powerful console with significant hardware upgrades, especially its improved graphics processing unit and a new technology called PSSR. PSSR appears to be a key part of Sony’s plans for future consoles, likely evolving further in the PlayStation 6. When implemented well, these upgrades deliver noticeable improvements to game performance and visual quality. While the difference between the PS5 and PS5 Pro isn’t as dramatic as in previous console generations, the enhancements are clear if you have a compatible TV or monitor.

The biggest problem with the PS5 Pro isn’t the console itself, but rather that game developers haven’t figured out how to use its power effectively. Several games released over the past year have actually performed *worse* on the PS5 Pro compared to the standard PS5. This was initially seen with titles like *Alan Wake 2*, *Silent Hill 2*, and *Star Wars Jedi: Survivor*, and has continued with games like *Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater* and *Borderlands 4*. These PS5 Pro versions have suffered from issues like stuttering and flickering, problems that aren’t as common-or don’t exist-on the regular PS5.

Let’s break down what’s going on. The issue is complex, but it largely revolves around developers struggling to fully understand and effectively use Sony’s new gaming technology, PSSR. We’ve seen this cause problems with games like *Jedi: Survivor* and *Metal Gear Solid: Delta*, and it’s happening again with the PS5 Pro version of *Silent Hill f*. Even though PSSR is likely a permanent feature, developers are still figuring out the best ways to implement it.

Games designed for the PS5 Pro appear to be receiving less thorough internal testing before release. Several problematic titles haven’t shown similar issues on other consoles, suggesting that PS5 Pro-optimized games aren’t being fully checked by developers. While the PS5 Pro has a smaller user base than other consoles, which might explain this, it still reflects poorly on the platform overall.

PS5 Pro’s Price Is Only Making Things Worse

The PS5 Pro already faced criticism when it launched last year with a $700 price tag, and things haven’t gotten better. Recent tariffs have forced Sony to raise the price even further to $750, adding to the frustration of PlayStation fans.

I need to offer some support for Sony regarding the price increase. Almost all gaming and tech companies are currently facing financial pressure due to tariffs. Nintendo has already raised prices on many Switch games and accessories, and there’s talk of a price increase for the upcoming Switch 2. Microsoft recently increased the price of Xbox consoles again. It’s clear Sony didn’t want to raise the price of the PS5 and PS5 Pro, but they were likely forced to due to these wider economic factors.

Despite all this, it’s been hard to convince PlayStation fans to buy the PS5 Pro. Why would someone spend over $800 on a console that doesn’t seem like a significant upgrade from the original PS5? It would be different if experts like Digital Foundry were overwhelmingly positive about it.

Don’t Expect a PS6 Pro

It seems Sony might be questioning the PS5 Pro’s success. While releasing ‘Pro’ versions of consoles can be a good way to transition to new generations, consumers don’t seem to value this incremental upgrade as much anymore. Even if optimizing games for the PS5 Pro wasn’t a challenge for developers, Sony didn’t convince many PlayStation fans that it was worth buying, and that feeling has only grown stronger over time.

I highly doubt we’ll see a PlayStation 6 Pro. The improvements between each new PlayStation generation are getting smaller, which makes a ‘Pro’ version less necessary. Also, Sony hasn’t been actively promoting the PS5 Pro – unlike the PS4 Pro, which they talked about a lot. If they aren’t prioritizing the PS5 Pro now, it’s unlikely they’ll continue making ‘Pro’ models with the PS6.

While the PS5 Pro shows promise, its ultimate success depends on future updates. Reports suggest a significant improvement to PlayStation Spectral Reconstruction (PSSR) is planned for 2026. This could make the console more appealing, but its long-term viability will really depend on how well game developers support it.

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2025-09-22 23:10