QSSR: The Base PS5 Gets Pro-Style AI Upscaling, but Only in Two Games

Sony has unveiled QSSR, a new AI upscaling technique designed for the standard PS5, the console that lacks the graphical muscle of the PS5 Pro. According to a report from GameSpot, the technology comes out of Sony and AMD's AI graphics collaboration. Its goal is the same as PSSR, the Pro's exclusive upscaler: sharper images and the best possible performance.

This matters because, for the first time, the base PS5 is getting Sony's own AI image reconstruction tool, something that until now set the Pro model apart. But there's a catch, and it's a big one: only two games support it so far, Marvel's Wolverine and Ghost of Yōtei. It's an interesting promise, but still a long way from being a feature you'll notice across your library.

What You Need to Know

• QSSR is an AI upscaler for the base PS5, a little sibling to PSSR, the PS5 Pro's system.
• It comes from the AI graphics partnership between Sony and AMD, and Sony describes it as using a more streamlined neural network architecture.
• Sony makes it clear that PSSR remains the benchmark for how its games can look on PS5 Pro.
• For now it's only supported by Marvel's Wolverine and Ghost of Yōtei, which is also getting a Complete Edition this month.
• Sony has released sample videos to show the improvement in action.

What QSSR Is and How It Differs from PSSR

The core idea is simple: the game renders at a lower resolution and a neural network reconstructs the final image with more detail than it would have on its own. This frees up graphical headroom without sacrificing as much visual quality. The big difference is the hardware: PSSR takes advantage of the Pro's extra power, while QSSR is designed to run on the original console, hence the lighter approach Sony talks about.

The Wolverine team has already explained what it brings to their game. As quoted by GameSpot:

QSSR adds more pixel-level clarity and stability to our environments, and brings out extra detail in the crowded streets of Madripoor, the alleyways of Shinjuku and many other areas of Logan's journey.

Who It Affects (and Who It Doesn't Yet)

In theory, anyone playing on a standard PS5 benefits. In practice, everything suggests that each studio has to integrate QSSR into its game, because if it were a system-wide setting, it wouldn't make sense to talk about only two supported titles. That means its real reach will depend on how many developers, first-party and third-party, decide to get on board. And the first two picks are big-name Sony productions, which for now makes it more of a showcase than a widespread feature.

Our Take

Here at Underworld Lordz, we see it as a step in the right direction. Sony not leaving behind players who haven't paid up for a Pro is a good sign, and AI upscaling is exactly the kind of technology that can extend a console's lifespan. For content creators, a cleaner, more stable image means clips and screenshots that look better without any extra work, which is welcome when you're recording straight from the console.

That said, for competitive players this news doesn't mean much yet. Wolverine and Ghost of Yōtei are single-player experiences, not titles where matches are decided by a single pixel. Where QSSR could really make a difference is in shooters and fighting games: better image stability helps you read an opponent at range, and more performance always helps. But it also needs careful testing to see whether the reconstruction introduces artifacts or affects responsiveness, because in competitive play every millisecond counts. Without testing in those kinds of games, any excitement is premature.

And one clear criticism: two games aren't a feature, they're a tech demo with a good marketing campaign. The bar for calling it a success is seeing major third-party studios adopt it. Until then, QSSR is good news with an asterisk.

What Do You Think?

Do you think Sony is bringing the base PS5 closer to the Pro, or is this just a hook to sell its exclusives? We want to know what you expect from this technology and which games you'd like to see it in. Which competitive title should be the first to adopt QSSR? Let us know in the team chat or on our Discord.