When Sony presented the PlayStation 5 Pro, one of the major arguments put forward concerned an in-house temporal upscaling technology based on machine learning: PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution). On paper, the promise was immense: for the first time on a console, a manufacturer was offering a solution comparable to the most advanced image reconstruction techniques on the PC. It was capable of transforming a low-resolution image into a crisp, stable and detailed 4K picture while maintaining high fluidity and modern graphic effects such as ray tracing. In reality, the first version of PSSR was divisive, with some games performing well and others displaying an image that was too soft, sometimes unstable, and marred by artifacts that were particularly visible in complex scenes, to the point where the technological promise seemed incomplete and the PS5 Pro struggled to fully justify its premium positioning.
Why was PSSR crucial for the PS5 Pro?
The PlayStation 5 Pro has a clear objective: to offer 4K rendering at 60 frames per second with advanced graphics features without compromising fluidity. But achieving this balance almost always means compromising on internal resolution. Rendering a game in native 4K with ray tracing enabled remains extremely costly, even on improved hardware. To maintain a stable framerate, developers therefore often choose to reduce the internal resolution, sometimes to around 1080p, before using an image reconstruction technique to achieve 4K display.
This is where temporal upscaling becomes decisive. Unlike simple spatial resizing, which works frame by frame, temporal upscaling uses information from previous images to reconstruct more detail. On the PC, machine-learning-based solutions have shown that it is possible to produce an image surprisingly comparable to the native one while starting from a much lower resolution base, notably with NVIDIA’s DLSS. PSSR was launched to embody this progress on consoles.
Resident Evil Requiem becomes a technological showcase
With Resident Evil Requiem, Capcom offers the first title to incorporate what many are now calling “PSSR 2”. From the very first minutes, a noticeable difference becomes apparent. The image displayed on the PS5 Pro is significantly sharper and more stable than what first-generation gamers were used to. Yet internal resolution remains relatively modest, at just over 1080p. That’s exactly where the improvement is most noticeable: the upscaling to 4K is more convincing.
Fine details, such as the seams on a jacket or the text on signs in the background, are rendered with greater clarity. Edges appear sharper, and motion blur is significantly reduced. Where PSSR 1 sometimes gave the impression of a visible compromise, this new version takes a step towards an image that no longer immediately betrays its reconstructed nature.
It’s important to note that the game features a lot of cinematic grain, which slightly complicates the pure evaluation of upscaling. Despite this, the overall rendering remains convincing and consistent. On a large 4K TV, at a standard viewing distance, the image appears solid and controlled, finally living up to the PS5 Pro’s initial ambition.
Upscaling integrated into the PlayStation 5 Pro system
One of the most promising elements is that the new PSSR will no longer be limited to a game-by-game patch. Sony is planning a system-level toggle on PS5 Pro, enabling the new version of the algorithm to be applied to existing titles originally designed for PSSR 1. This approach is a radical game-changer. Rather than relying on studio-specific updates, the improvement could benefit a wide catalog.
If this implementation lives up to its promise, games previously considered problematic could see their image transformed without heavy intervention from developers. This would considerably boost the perceived value of the PS5 Pro, and restore confidence in investing in a console designed to enhance visual quality.
Ultimately, PSSR 2 marks a turning point for the PlayStation 5 Pro, as it finally realizes the initial vision of an intelligent upscaling capable of transforming a modest rendering base into a convincing 4K image without sacrificing fluidity, and while there is still room for improvement compared to the most advanced PC solutions, the most important milestone has now been reached: the technology is no longer just a concept on paper; it has established itself as a credible and sufficiently seamless component of the visual experience, paving the way for wider adoption and ongoing evolution that could, in the long run, set the standards for future generations of consoles.
Source: Digital Foundry
