I tried the PS5 Pro and now I believe in its potential.
During the Tokyo Game Show, we had the opportunity to try out the PS5 Pro for the first time. We are already amazed by what we have seen and experienced.
At the Tokyo Game Show 2024, a crowd of fans gathered to explore the latest innovations in interactive entertainment. This event featured standout titles such as Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Dynasty Warriors: Origins, and The First Berzerker: Khazan, with the participation of the renowned Ben Starr. One of the highlights of the event was Sony, which showcased its new hardware, the PlayStation 5 Pro, that I had the chance to try for the first time.
As I approached the Sony booth, I noticed a lit pedestal surrounded by a velvet rope. There was the PS5 Pro, alongside a slimmer version of the base PS5 model. Although a guard monitored the consoles to ensure they weren't touched, I was allowed to get closer and observe. I noticed that the PS5 Pro is taller than the standard model, but when it's on its stand (sold separately), its height is similar to that of the original version. Additionally, its slimmer design is due to the absence of the disc drive, which is also optional.
The black finish in the middle of the device has a matte tone, contrasting with the shiny front. The connections on the back are the same as those on the base version, keeping the same port layout. The console uses the same controllers as the current generation of PlayStation.
When I began my gameplay experience, I saw the Gran Turismo logo appear on the screen, which made me somewhat skeptical. Not because of the game's quality, which is already impressive, but about what a Pro model could add to an already outstanding experience. However, I decided to give it a try by participating in a race with a gray minivan in this racing title.
From the first turn of the track, the visual quality was astounding, with detailed reflections and a sense of realism in the rain falling on the windshield. Despite the chaos of the race, the game maintained a notable smoothness of 60 frames per second, even in the most extreme situations. While Gran Turismo 7 can support up to 120 fps, I didn't have the opportunity to verify it in action during this test.
I also couldn't play Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on the PS5 Pro, but watching it in action was revealing. While the improvements in Gran Turismo 7 were subtle, the advancements in Rebirth were more visible. The title now offers an enhanced mode that combines a high frame rate with excellent visual fidelity, resulting in a vibrant environment and smooth transitions in gameplay, though with some minor graphical errors.
Although the $700 price tag for the PS5 Pro may seem high, it remains to be seen how many developers will truly take advantage of the additional power it offers. With more than two dozen titles confirmed for its launch, the console is expected to set a benchmark for graphics and performance in video games on November 7th.
