PS5 Pro’s Upgraded PSSR Upscaler: A Deep Dive into Sony’s New Image Technology
Sony is rolling out an upgraded version of its PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) technology to PS5 Pro players in the coming weeks, with Resident Evil Requiem being the first title to showcase the advancements. This update aims to enhance image quality and maintain high frame rates, building upon the existing PSSR implementation that has already boosted the effective resolution of over 50 PS5 Pro titles.
What is PSSR and Why Does it Matter?
PSSR is an AI-powered image upscaling library that analyzes game images pixel by pixel to improve their resolution. Upscaling is crucial for delivering high-resolution visuals, particularly on 4K displays, without requiring the immense processing power needed to render games natively at that resolution. The upgraded PSSR represents a significant shift in both the neural network and the overall algorithm used for upscaling.
Resident Evil Requiem: The First Game to Utilize the New PSSR
Resident Evil Requiem, launched on February 27, 2026, is the first game to implement the new and improved PSSR. Capcom focused on enhancing the visual fidelity of the protagonist, rendering details like individual strands of hair and beard as polygons to create realistic movement and lighting effects. The upgraded PSSR successfully processes these intricate details, which traditionally pose challenges for upscaling technologies. [PlayStation Blog]
Based on AMD’s FSR4 Technology
The second generation of PSSR is based on AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR4) technology. [Digital Foundry] FSR4 is a machine learning-based upscaler designed to deliver high-quality visuals and improved performance. This foundation aims to address previous issues with the original PSSR, such as noise, artifacting and instability with ray-traced content.
How the New PSSR Performs in Resident Evil Requiem
In Resident Evil Requiem, the new PSSR upscales from a base resolution slightly above 1080p to 4K, maintaining a frame rate of 60fps. Early reports indicate improved edge clarity and convincing resolution of fine details, such as stitching on clothing and small text. [Digital Foundry]
System-Level Toggle and Future Support
Sony plans to offer the upgraded PSSR as a system-level toggle, allowing players to apply it to existing PS5 Pro games that already support the original PSSR without requiring developer patches. While developers can still optimize their games specifically for the upgraded model through future updates, this toggle provides immediate visual improvements for a wider range of titles. [IGN] More games are expected to support the upgraded PSSR in March 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Sony’s upgraded PSSR technology is rolling out to PS5 Pro players.
- Resident Evil Requiem is the first game to utilize the new PSSR.
- The new PSSR is based on AMD’s FSR4 technology.
- A system-level toggle will allow users to apply the upgrade to existing PSSR-supported games.