PS4 Pro Review Roundup

While the PS4 Pro isn't out for another couple days, critics have started to deliver their verdicts on the upgraded, more powerful console.

The PS4 Pro offers the ability for games to have better performance and display at 4K. Some games may run natively at 3840x2160, while others may checkerboard or scale up to it. And despite its ability to display at the resolution, it lacks a 4K Blu-ray drive.

We've rounded up every game that is and isn't getting an upgrade patch, detailing exactly how they're benefiting from the console's extra power. Additionally, you can check out everything you need to know about the PS4 Pro here.

We've collected a handful of review scores and editor opinions and compiled them below.

• Device: PS4 Pro
• Developer: Sony
• Price: $400
• Release Date: November 10

GameSpot

"If you have a 4K HDR TV and are looking to buy a console, I'd definitely recommend the PS4 Pro. Even if you have a 1080p TV and are looking to buy a PlayStation, I'd still lean more toward the Pro. Yes, it does cost $100 more than the Slim model, but you get more ports, twice the storage space, more future-proof hardware in the event that you ever decide to get a 4K TV, and some games can look slightly better at 1080p.

"If you already have a PS4, however, I wouldn't make the upgrade unless you have a 4K HDR TV and the extra cash lying around. Graphics enthusiasts may appreciate the improved anti-aliasing and more vibrant colors, but the differences likely won’t blow most people away. Regardless, the PS4 Pro is priced fairly, offers a plethora of features, and is the most powerful console you can buy today." -- Jimmy Thang [full review]

CNET

"From what we can tell at this stage in the PS4 Pro's life cycle, only a very limited number of consumers should even consider buying one. If you already own a PS4, a recommendation is even harder to make. If you own or plan to own a 4K HDR TV and don't yet own a PS4, the $100 on top of the standard PS4's US price is an easier pill to swallow. You can obsess over resolution specs all you want, but the fact remains that we did not see a real-world difference that blew us away. Of course, our sampling was only a slice of the games that will offer Pro enhancements out of the gate, so it's entirely possible that more noticeable improvements will come out down the road, especially with games that have been developed with the PS4 Pro in mind from the start." -- Jeff Bakalar [full review]

Eurogamer

"If you don't already own a PlayStation console and you're looking to invest, the Pro is a no-brainer. You're getting over twice the GPU power, a faster CPU, future-proofed display and streaming media support--and twice the hard drive space. The price-point is keen enough that it's going to take some seriously aggressive bundling deals to make the standard PlayStation 4 look appealing. But if you already own a PS4, the choice of whether to upgrade is a tricky one. There are no system exclusives, the library is the same, and existing games will only run better if developers go back and patch them. If you own a 4K screen or are considering a purchase, the upgrade will be highly worthwhile, but what's clear is that there's little here likely to make your existing console obsolete." -- Richard Leadbetter [full review]

PCMag -- 4/5

"The PS4 Pro is undeniably an upgrade over the PS4. It's more powerful, and games optimized to use that power definitely benefit from it. However, there isn't much improvement with unpatched games, and even PS4 Pro-ready games often require you to choose between mutually exclusive advantages like smoother frame rate or 4K rendering. And the lack of Ultra HD Blu-ray playback is disappointing. ... This is an incremental upgrade that fanatics will appreciate, but everyone else will find relatively minor." -- Will Greenwald [full review]

TechRadar -- 4/5

"For newcomers to the world of PlayStation, PlayStation VR neophytes, and 4K HDR TV owners, buying the PlayStation 4 Pro is an easy decision. However, for everyone else, there's a chance the Pro's benefits aren't worth the extra cost." -- Nick Pino [full review]

Wired

"Really, the lack of 4K Blu-ray is our biggest gripe with the PS4 Pro--a truly baffling omission on Sony's part. If that, and the increased fidelity and smoother performance of PS4 Pro isn't a driving factor for you, or you've no plans to get on the 4K bandwagon, the new hardware is perhaps more of an indulgence than a necessity--but an incredibly nice indulgence, nonetheless." -- Matt Kamen [full review]

IGN -- 8.5/10

"The PS4 Pro is a premium-looking machine that offers a lot of extra power for developers to exploit. But right now, even on a big and brilliant 4K screen, the differences are often not stark enough to make standard PS4 owners jealous. What's worse, there's simply no way to reliably know what enhancements you'll have to choose from, which is a big problem for prospective buyers who understandably want to know what kind of enhancements to expect before they take the plunge. The PS4 Pro has the raw power to potentially deliver greatly enhanced graphics, and in time, with more support, it will likely do just that, but right now, it's just too much of a crap shoot." -- Vince Ingenito [full review]