PS3 games might get a big upgrade thanks to the PS5 Pro

Summary

Sony launched the PS5 Pro last year for $700, targeting PlayStation fans interested in superior graphics and frame rates.
A potential game-changing PSSR update could improve lower-resolution game quality, impacting PS1, PS2, and PS3 games.
PSSR uses AI upscaling to render games at a higher resolution, providing clearer image quality and better performance.

Last year, Sony launched

the PS5 Pro
, an upgraded version of the PS5 featuring a more powerful GPU (graphics processing unit) for enhanced visual fidelity in games, improved ray tracing, and a new AI upscaling feature called PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution).

The PS5 Pro is available for $700, which is about $250 more than the regular

PS5 Slim Digital Edition
. If you’re a big PlayStation fan, then the PS5 Pro is likely something that will heavily interest you, especially if you want to play games at the highest possible graphics quality and frame rates.

On the other hand, if you already own a PS5, it’s admittedly a tough sell, as you have to shell out $700, or slightly less if you trade in your old console. However, it’s possible that with an upcoming PS5 Pro update, Sony aims to entice more people to switch to the PS5 Pro, with the power of nostalgia.

According to Moore’s Law is Dead, a reputable PS5 Pro leaker (via Comicbook.com), PlayStation is working on an update to the PS5 Pro that would make its PSSR AI upscaling technology — which is exclusive to the Pro console — able to upscale lower-resolution games. This means that

PS3 games
(along with older PlayStation games) could soon look significantly better when played on the PS5 Pro through PlayStation Plus. But what is PSSR, the technology that will accomplish this, and how will it work?

4K Capability: Yes
Brand: PlayStation
Storage: 2TB
Screen Resolution: VRR and 8K

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What is PSSR on the PS5 Pro?

Your favorite classic games could soon look a lot better

PSSR — PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution — is an AI upscaling technology that was designed exclusively for the PS5 Pro. PSSR renders a game at a lower resolution and then upscales it to a higher resolution, such as 4K, creating a more detailed image while maintaining a higher level of performance. This is because the game doesn’t need to be rendered natively at a higher resolution, which is more demanding on the GPU.

PSSR is very similar to AI upscaling techniques seen on PC, such as AMD FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) and Nvidia DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), which both use similar techniques to upscale games to higher resolutions using AI.

When it launched the PS5 Pro, Sony explained that PSSR is “an AI-driven upscaling that uses a machine learning-based technology to provide super sharp image clarity by adding an extraordinary amount of detail.”

If the leak is accurate, Sony is working on an update for the PS5 Pro and PSSR that will enable PSSR to upscale lower-resolution games. This means that PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP games could all soon look way better on the PS5 Pro.

According to Moore’s Law is Dead — the source who leaked the information about the PS5 Pro getting a PSSR update — PSSR currently requires a base resolution of 864p to upscale a game. This means lower-resolution titles, such as PS3 games, weren’t compatible with the technology.

If the leak is accurate, Sony is working on an update for the PS5 Pro and PSSR that will enable PSSR to upscale lower-resolution games. This means that it’s entirely possible PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP games could all soon look way better on the PS5 Pro, thanks to enhanced PSSR compatibility (via Comicbook).

It’s important to note that older PlayStation games are currently upscaled on the PS5 using an older method, so adding PSSR support would simply enhance this. Sony is also reportedly working to make it easier for developers to implement PSSR into their games, potentially allowing past and future games to run more smoothly on the PS5 Pro.

…it would make a lot of sense for Sony to update PSSR to be compatible with older games, especially if it wants to sell more PS5 Pros.

Since this potential PSSR update is based on a leak, it’s wise to take it with a grain of salt for now. Sony has not officially announced anything regarding an update for the PS5 Pro and PSSR, and it’s uncertain when any potential update might launch. It’s also important to note that playing older PlayStation games on the PS5 requires a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription, as the games are only available to be played digitally.

In my opinion, it would make a lot of sense for Sony to update PSSR to be compatible with older games, especially if it wants to sell more PS5 Pros. People love nostalgia, and allowing gamers to play their favorite PS3, PS2, and PS1 games at a higher quality than ever before could persuade many of them to pick up a PS5 Pro.