The PlayStation 4 Pro boasts excellent hardware with a fantastic game library to match, and its re-designed DualShock 4 controller is a much-needed upgrade over previous versions of Sony's gamepad.
Sony has been one of the top names in consoles since the classic PlayStation was released in 1994, and its latest offering does not disappoint. The PlayStation 4 Pro is the latest revision of the original 2013 PS4 and boasts an upgraded GPU that gives this gaming machine 4K capability and improved performance with PlayStation VR, Sony's own virtual reality headset. The PS4 also shipped with a re-designed and much-improved DualShock controller, and the newer DualShock 4 is among the best gamepads ever designed. It also does double-duty as a fantastic PC controller, too, according to Wirecutter.
Prior to the announcement and release of the Xbox One X, the PS4 Pro was the only gaming console capable of playing games in 4K (3,840 x 2,160) resolution. 4K play is currently available on a select number of titles, and naturally, you can only take full advantage of this feature if you own a 4K Ultra HD television. Nonetheless, the improved processing power of the Pro still delivers a better performance with fewer frame-rate drops and smoother gameplay even if you're not playing 4K games on a compatible television. A 4K console is also future-proof. If you decide to upgrade to an Ultra HD TV later, you won't need to buy a new console to fully enjoy it.
Aside from its boosted hardware and 4K HDR capabilities, where the PS4 Pro really shines is its game library, according to Digital Trends. The PS4 has possibly the best lineup of triple-A, indie, and import games, including many that other consoles like the Xbox One do not receive — consider exclusives like "The Last Guardian," "Bloodborne," "The Last of Us," and the upcoming "Shadow of the Colossus Remastered." This is, admittedly, subject to taste. If you're the type who can't get enough of Xbox-exclusive franchises like Halo, Gears of War, and Forza, then Microsoft's gaming platform might be a better fit.
By far the biggest drawback to the PlayStation 4 Pro is its curious lack of a 4K Blu-Ray player. It's somewhat baffling that Sony, the company that invented the Blu-Ray medium, would omit a 4K Blu-Ray player from its much-hyped 4K console. This was presumably done to cut costs on what is admittedly a fairly expensive console — the PS4 Pro is not cheap at $399 — but the console can still stream 4K HDR video and can play standard Blu-Ray discs.
Another drawback, and one where Sony lags behind Microsoft, is with backward compatibility. Unfortunately, the PlayStation 4 Pro cannot play PS3 game discs. The only way to enjoy legacy media is through Sony's PS Now streaming service, which offers paid game rentals or a monthly subscription plan. And while Sony has expanded the list of available games since the console's release, the service has not been received well by gamers who have no way to purchase titles (PS Now only lets you rent and stream games for a set period of time) or to play older ones that they already own.
Pros: Great hardware specs, a solid library of games, 4K Ultra HD capability with high dynamic range (HDR), "boost mode" enhances older games, and it can support the PlayStation VR headset
Cons: It's more expensive than the Xbox One S, offers limited support for legacy games, and cannot play 4K Blu-Rays
Buy the PlayStation 4 Pro on Amazon for $299