Introduction

Yesterday marked the highly anticipated launch of the PlayStation 5 Pro, Sony's most powerful console to date. After a week of testing this expensive piece of tech, I found that the biggest annoyance isn't its steep price, but the frustrating challenge of identifying which games actually benefit from its enhanced features.

Performance and Upgrades

The PS5 Pro offers exceptional performance for gamers with high-end 4K TVs who value frame rates and ray tracing. It provides breathtaking upgrades to popular titles such as Spider-Man 2 and No Man's Sky, making them visually stunning experiences. But there's a catch: without an online search, it's nearly impossible to know which of your existing games are optimized for the PS5 Pro.

The Search for Enhanced Games

Upon starting my PS5 Pro, my first instinct was to explore my game library to find which titles were compatible with the new features. Unfortunately, there's no visual cue—no symbol or text on the game cover—to indicate if a game has been enhanced for the PS5 Pro. Even diving into the game’s details reveals no such information.

Workaround Solutions and Limitations

The only viable way to find out is through the PlayStation Network Store (PSN Store). You can check each game individually or use a “Show Product” option within your library. There, you may find a "PS5 Pro Enhanced" badge, which clarifies that the game will indeed run better on this new machine. However, this workaround lacks efficiency and makes the user experience cumbersome.

Sony's Missed Opportunity

Ideally, I expected Sony to implement a streamlined way to identify PS5 Pro Enhanced games, especially after the console's launch on November 7. Sadly, this has not been the case. Although there is a PS5 Pro Enhanced section in the store, it doesn’t encompass all enhanced games. For instance, at one point, it incorrectly featured Dead Rising 2, a PS4 title that lacks any enhancements. This hiccup has since been fixed, but it raises concerns about the accuracy of the listings.

Improvements and User Experience

Sony has finally introduced a PS5 Pro Enhanced filter for the store, which is a step in the right direction. However, it disappointingly cannot be applied to your personal library. This oversight feels unnecessary and limits usability.

Comparison with Xbox Series X

As a frequent player on the Xbox Series X, I appreciate how Microsoft makes it clear which titles are native to the Series X/S with distinctive icons. It’s a feature that enhances user experience. In contrast, Sony's current system leaves players struggling to maximize the capabilities of their state-of-the-art console.

Conclusion

With the ever-increasing competition in the gaming world, it’s high time for Sony to address this frustrating oversight. Gamers deserve a straightforward way to enjoy all the stunning improvements that the PS5 Pro has to offer. Will Sony step up and make the gaming experience smoother for its users? Only time will tell!