PS5 Pro reviews: The three most common complaints about the new console

Sony’s PlayStation 5 is finally here and the reviews are in.

Sony’s PlayStation 5 update is receiving moderate applause across the tech world as reviewers delve deeper into the features. Early impressions from The Verge, IGN, Tom’s Hardware and others suggest that the PS5 Pro has reached a higher level and is now the ultimate way to experience gaming on the console. But the biggest highlight so far has been PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) – Sony’s new AI-powered upscaling tool.

The PS5 Pro is not only a performance monster, but also a masterpiece of thoughtful redesign. It’s smaller, lighter and quieter than its predecessor, addressing some of the most common criticisms of the original PS5.

In The Verge’s review, Editor-in-Chief Sean Hollister put it well: “For every title I tried – while sitting within two meters of a 65-inch TV – the PS5 Pro was clearly the better one Place to play.”

But just because the graphical fidelity is more visually appealing doesn’t mean it’s an easy recommendation. Here’s the bad:

1. The PS5 Pro is too expensive

It’s no surprise that price has become a sticking point in all reviews. Priced at $700, the PS5 Pro isn’t an easy sell for casual gamers who might be happy with the base PS5’s already impressive performance. For most gamers, the jump in visual fidelity doesn’t seem to be quite worth the extra money, especially when the base model continues to deliver a stellar experience at a far more affordable price.

As Rory Mellon of Tom’s Hardware put it: “It’s an extravagant purchase that doesn’t offer the same value for money as the base PS5, which remains an extremely capable console.” Many agree with that sentiment. While the PS5 Pro offers improvements, it doesn’t fundamentally change the gaming experience enough to justify a premium for those outside the enthusiast class.

2. There is no drive

In addition to the high barrier to entry, the PS5 Pro doesn’t have a disc drive. “Given the price, you’ll be disappointed to find that the PS5 Pro doesn’t come with all sorts of bells and whistles,” said Michael Higam in his IGN review.

However, Sony has delivered some somewhat good news. If you’re interested in physical media, you can add a disc drive to the PS5 Pro. But get ready – this will cost you an additional $80. The vertical stand is also a separate purchase. It’s a strange move from Sony, considering that if there was a Venn diagram of hardcore console fans willing to pay $700 for the Pro and those who who still value physical copies of games.

For a company that relies on its most loyal players, charging a premium for essentials feels like a tone-deaf strategy.

3. Lack of games

To avoid adding to the annoying “but the PS5 doesn’t have any games” discourse, one of the Pro’s minor complaints is that there are no games to sell when you buy the console.

Sony’s flagship first- and third-party titles have received high-quality patches to take advantage of the PS5 Pro’s advanced features, but they’re just patches.

As Polygon reviewer Cameron Faulkner notes in his review, graphical improvements are a “mixed mix” between the 50 Sony games that received patches.

Reviewers agree that games in 2025 and beyond over the next few years of the PS5 lifecycle will be able to take full advantage of the console’s graphics and performance improvements. If they’re able to do that, perhaps the Pro won’t be such a hard sell for its price.