# Pro Consoles - Scott The Woz Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1IMVZGG0xw Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/W1IMVZGG0xw Generated: 2025-12-24T01:35:31.721+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The video concludes that while manufacturers continue to release 'Pro' hardware versions with incremental upgrades, these upgrades often fail to justify the increased cost or complexity for the average consumer, citing examples like the PS5 Pro's lack of a bundled disc drive and the PS4 Pro's performance issues in some games, ultimately suggesting that these iterative 'Pro' models often feel unnecessary or underwhelming compared to the base consoles or future generations. **Key Points:** - The PS5 Pro is announced with a $700 price tag and a disc-free version, suggesting a niche focus, unlike the standard PS5 which included a disc drive option. - The Xbox One X was marketed as significantly more powerful than the PS4 Pro (6 TFLOPS vs 4.2 TFLOPS) and was released a year later, but many games still ran poorly on the PS4 Pro compared to the base PS4 in some instances. - Nintendo handhelds like the Game Boy Color and New Nintendo 3DS XL offered more meaningful generational upgrades (color screen, C-stick, faster processing) than some mid-generation console refreshes. - The PS4 Pro's Fidelity Mode (30 FPS) versus Performance Mode (60 FPS) in games like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart shows a clear performance trade-off, though both modes target high resolution. - The Xbox One Elite bundle was expensive ($500 in 2015) due to the inclusion of a $150 Elite controller and a 1TB Hybrid Drive, demonstrating early attempts at premium mid-cycle hardware. - The video implies that the constant cycle of 'Pro' consoles often leads to confusion and unnecessary costs for consumers who may not see significant, tangible benefits for their average gaming experience. ![Screenshot at 39:36: The host expresses skepticism about the need for the PS5 Pro's 8K capabilities when existing consoles already struggle to run games well at lower resolutions, contrasting the PS5 Pro's theoretical 8K support with the reality of demanding performance modes on the PS5.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/W1IMVZGG0xw/00-39-36.jpg) **Context:** This video analyzes the history and perceived necessity of 'Pro' or mid-generation console upgrades, contrasting the incremental improvements of systems like the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X/Scorpio with earlier handheld revisions like the Game Boy Color and New Nintendo 3DS XL. The host uses comparisons, historical context from tech news, and examples of actual game performance to argue whether these mid-cycle hardware bumps truly justify their existence and price premium for the average gamer. ## Detailed Analysis The video critiques the concept of 'Pro' consoles, arguing that while they offer technical leaps like 4K support, ray tracing, and faster memory (as seen in PS5 Pro and Xbox One X specs), the average consumer experience often doesn't reflect these massive gains, particularly when comparing fidelity vs. performance modes or when older games don't receive significant enhancements. The host uses historical context, referencing the PS4 Pro's launch pricing ($700 for the RDR2 bundle) and the Xbox One X's superior raw specs compared to the PS4 Pro, to frame the discussion. Nintendo's handheld revisions (Game Boy Color, New 3DS XL) are presented as more justifiable upgrades due to tangible features like color screens or the C-stick. The video points out the irony of high-end features like 8K support (e.g., The Touryst on PS5) when the base consoles struggle, and highlights confusing marketing strategies, such as the PS5 Digital Edition requiring a separate purchase for a disc drive. Ultimately, the presenter suggests that these iterative 'Pro' consoles are often unnecessary for the average user who is perfectly happy with the base model's performance, especially when the cost difference is substantial, as seen with the $300 difference between the PS5 Slim and the rumored $700 PS5 Pro. ### PS4 Pro vs. PS5 Game Performance - Spider-Man Miles Morales shows Fidelity (30 FPS) vs Performance Pro (60 FPS) modes, with Performance mode trading visual fidelity for smoother frame rates - Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart shows Fidelity Pro (30 FPS) vs Performance Pro (60 FPS) with Performance mode being significantly smoother. ### Xbox Console Revisions History - Xbox One Elite bundle featured a 1TB Hybrid Drive for $500 (console $350 + controller $150) in 2015 - Xbox One X (Scorpio) was significantly more powerful than PS4 Pro but arrived later and without 4K Blu-ray support on the disc version. ### Nintendo Handheld Upgrades - Game Boy Color added color and DSi added a camera and faster downloads, which were seen as more significant upgrades than some console mid-cycles - New Nintendo 3DS XL added a C-stick and faster processing for downloadable titles, making it a more compelling upgrade. ### PS5 Pro Pricing and Features - Rumored $700 price tag for the PS5 Pro Digital Edition (which requires an $80 external disc drive) is compared unfavorably to the base PS5 Digital Edition's $399 price. ### Game Graphics Comparisons - Footage from various games (e.g., Ghost of Tsushima, God of War) shows minor perceived differences between base and Pro consoles, suggesting the Pro benefits are often marginal for standard users. ![Screenshot at 00:13: Host displaying a sign that reads 'a complete fucking tool' after mentioning Merriam-Webster.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/W1IMVZGG0xw/00-00-13.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:07: Collage of various 'Pro' consoles displayed: Game Boy Color, Nintendo DS, PS4 Pro, Nintendo 3DS XL, Xbox One X, Xbox 360 Elite.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/W1IMVZGG0xw/00-01-07.jpg) ![Screenshot at 03:59: Comparison of Xbox One \(left\) vs Xbox One X \(right\) showing the size difference, with the X being taller and more monolithic.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/W1IMVZGG0xw/00-03-59.jpg) ![Screenshot at 05:50: Side-by-side comparison of a game running on PS4 \(left\) vs PS4 Pro \(right\) showing improved graphical fidelity/resolution.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/W1IMVZGG0xw/00-05-50.jpg) ![Screenshot at 18:15: Host holds up a sign that reads 'Nevermind' after showing a list of Xbox 360 models \(Core, Pro, Arcade, Elite\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/W1IMVZGG0xw/00-18-15.jpg)