Sony's upgraded PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) system software update began rolling out in phases on 16 March at 10:00 PM Pacific Time, representing a significant bump in visual quality for PS5 Pro owners.
The update introduces broad support for the upgraded PSSR, delivering enhanced image stability, improved clarity in fine details, and more consistent performance across supported titles. PSSR is an AI library that analyzes each frame pixel by pixel as it upscales game visuals.
The scope of the upgrade is substantial. Major games set to benefit include Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Silent Hill f, and more. Capcom has adopted the upgraded PSSR in Monster Hunter Wilds and Dragon's Dogma 2, further refining image clarity and stability across both titles. Also receiving support are Control, Alan Wake 2, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Assassin's Creed Shadows, and several others.
One of the more striking announcements concerns Cyberpunk 2077. CD Projekt RED said there were no plans to support PS5 Pro back in November 2024, but the studio has now reversed course. Assassin's Creed Shadows and Cyberpunk 2077 will receive a patch in the coming weeks to support the new PSSR. CD Projekt RED announced that it will release a free Cyberpunk 2077 update for the PS5 version that will implement support for the upgraded PSSR, solely focused on allowing it to take advantage of the expanded hardware capabilities offered by the PS5 Pro system.
The algorithm and neural network used in the new PSSR stem from Sony's Project Amethyst partnership with AMD. This upgraded PSSR represents the very latest innovations in the co-developed technology, with AMD's next FSR update expected to bring these advancements to even more players around the world.
Developers have been vocal about the improvements. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth director noted that fine details such as character's hair are naturally restored, and the image processing is more stable due to less flickering, allowing them to create a more immersive gameplay experience with improved graphical quality and stability. Ninja Theory noted they were particularly impressed by the quality of particle effects with the latest update, helping to bring key gameplay moments to life through enhanced visuals.
Improved PSSR can also be enabled for existing supported games via PS5 Pro's optional system setting. The update will gradually become available to all users over the coming days, and users can also manually check for and install the update via the PS5 system settings.
Sony's announcement of an upgraded PSSR update arriving in March has had a knock-on effect on PS5 Pro sales, with the console selling out at retailers in the US and PlayStation Direct. Most new PS5 Pro titles will launch with support for this enhanced PSSR, ensuring players continue to see improvements in image quality and performance.
For the technically inclined, the improved PSSR is based on AMD's FSR4 and debuted with Resident Evil Requiem earlier this month. Tech experts Digital Foundry called it "the real deal," noting that in Resident Evil Requiem's RT mode, the system is upscaling to 4K from a base resolution slightly higher than 1080p.