PS4 Pro Review Roundup - A Winner For Graphics Fiends

After months of rumors, an announcement, and widespread discussion leading up to release, the PS4 Pro is ready to hit the market. Debuting this Thursday, it will mark the first time a console manufacturer has introduced a mid-generation hardware upgrade. It's a new concept for consumers, and as such getting a good idea of what to expect is very important in the purchasing decision process.

Several outlets have review the PS4 Pro. Below are the major notes.

Price

Most critics agree that the PS4 Pro is priced reasonably. At $399, its MSRP is only $100 more than the regular PS4. This makes it a serious option for consumers that will provide Sony with a two-prong attack moving forward.

After evaluating its feature set, GameSpot shared the following:

Regardless, the PS4 Pro is priced fairly

The argument was made in several reviews that the PS4 Pro's pricing allows it to be a competitor to PC gaming, which is argued by many to have a high barrier of entry. With 4K resolution support, even though in many cases requiring the checkerboard method to achieve such, it is a a powerful piece of hardware at an attractive price point.

On that note, Eurogamer remarked that the hardware is capable of competing with PC hardware for sales, wooing even the most graphically inclined consumers in the process.

the fact that a £350/$399 box is capable of even competing is a remarkable achievement.

It's important to note that the console includes a 1TB hard drive, which plays a part in its high value proposition.

Performance

The main selling of the PS4 Pro is its ability to play games with better graphics, including 4K resolution support. This will ultimately be the most important factor for consumers when deciding whether or not to pay the $100 extra over the regular PS4.

It appears that the performance of the PS4 Pro is rather remarkable. Games that previously struggled to render at 900p or even 1080p now provide smoother experiences. NextGenGaming shared:

If you care about your games, how they perform and still want to stick with a console, then the PS4 Pro is a viable upgrade.

The greatest benefits are best enjoyed on a 4K TV, although 1080p also sees some benefit. Though, not all games are created equally. There are some stand-outs from the list of games that support the new hardware.

This inconsistency is why CNet had a more mixed experience.

The PlayStation 4 Pro doesn't show major, noticeable improvements in the handful of games we were able to test early

The general consensus is that for only $100 more the PS4 Pro goes a long way. However, these improvements aren't mind-blowing and those who walk in expecting a generational leap may walk away disappointed.

The Extras

The PS4 Pro comes with a few extra benefits that aren't advertised. For one, it has a new Wi-Fi solution, as well as a SATA 3 drive. There's also an extra USB port on the back, which some are saying is great for PSVR cable management.

Each of these extras have been met with praise. IGN shared:

On the upside though, the PS4 Pro supports the higher-speed 802.11ac wi-fi band (which is also on the revised PS4) and the faster SATA III hard drive interface. The latter will potentially allow you to pull much more performance out of a solid-state drive should you decide to replace the stock 1TB hard drive the PS4 Pro comes with.

Meanwhile, US Gamer commented

The PSVR takes up a USB slot; on the other models, it sticks out of one of the front-facing USB ports. That's ugly and destroys the clean line of the system's front. Now, you can use the rear port to keep those unsightly cables out of your way

These extra benefits in addition to the polished presentation of the device help to make up for its shortcomings.

Verdict

Most critics are in agreement that the PS4 Pro is an attractive option for a certain type of gamer. That gamer is someone who is serious about performance, but may not have an interest in PC gaming. It particularly succeeds when it comes to PSVR as it provides a better fleshed out experience as well as a back-side USB port.