Some players refuse to settle for "good enough." They want the ultimate gaming setup, the highest frame rates, the sharpest ray-traced reflections, and the most responsive controls. That mindset explains why the PlayStation 5 Pro attracted so much attention when it was announced, and why a game like Black Myth: Wukong became an immediate test case for the hardware. The title was one of the biggest hits of 2024, selling over 18 million units across the original PS5 and Steam. It delivered a "Soulslite" interpretation of the Monkey King Sun Wukong, offering players freedom and challenge without beating them over the head with difficulty. On PC and base PS5, it already played perfectly fine. The real question was whether the PS5 Pro could make it play better—and by how much.
Digital Foundry's Richard Leadbetter examined that exact question for Eurogamer. His conclusion was measured: the console is slightly faster, around seven to ten percent in some scenarios. That is not a generational leap. It is a modest bump. He also noted that Black Myth: Wukong is a super-demanding game, one that seems tailor-made for the PS5 Pro if Game Science properly deploys the new console's features. Those features include roughly 45 percent more raw GPU power than the base PS5, much enhanced ray tracing, and a machine learning block that should hopefully produce results in the ballpark of Nvidia DLSS. In theory, that sounds impressive. In practice, the visible gains may be subtle.
What does the PS5 Pro actually offer for a game like this? The reference point is useful:
| Feature | Base PS5 | PS5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Raw GPU power | Standard | Roughly 45% more |
| Ray tracing | Standard | Much enhanced |
| Machine learning | Limited | Dedicated block, DLSS-like potential |
| Performance in Wukong | Already fine | Around 7–10% faster in some scenarios |
| Price | Lower | Over $700 |
The table makes the dilemma clear. The PS5 Pro is not a new generation. It is an upgrade for enthusiasts, and Black Myth: Wukong is exactly the kind of game that exposes the difference between a meaningful upgrade and a marginal one. The game already runs acceptably on base hardware. A slightly higher frame rate or a slightly more stable image is nice, but it is not transformative. For players who demand the best possible version of every game, the PS5 Pro may still be appealing. For everyone else, the value proposition is harder to defend.
Does a 10% boost justify a console that costs over $700? Is that enough for someone who already owns a PS5? These are not trivial questions. They touch on how players define value, how they perceive performance, and how much they are willing to pay for diminishing returns. Black Myth: Wukong was only slightly talked about before its release due to its long development cycle, yet it became a massive success. That success was not built on hardware specs alone. It was built on its world, its combat, and its interpretation of a beloved myth. The PS5 Pro can enhance those elements, but it cannot create them.
By 2026, the conversation has not disappeared. The PS5 Pro is now part of the console landscape, and Black Myth: Wukong remains a popular benchmark for performance discussions. New games continue to push hardware, and the gap between base and Pro consoles continues to be measured in percentages rather than leaps. The same rhetorical question applies: if a game already looks and plays well, what does a small increase actually change? For some, it changes everything. For others, it changes almost nothing. 🎮
Consider the broader context. The gaming industry often sells the idea of "the best." Marketing encourages players to chase the ultimate setup, the definitive version, the highest number. But most players do not experience games through benchmark charts. They experience them through story, challenge, and atmosphere. Black Myth: Wukong succeeded because of its take on Sun Wukong and its accessible "Soulslite" combat, not because of a 10% performance boost. The PS5 Pro may be the ultimate setup for some, but it is not a requirement for enjoying one of 2024's biggest hits.
Ultimately, the PS5 Pro and Black Myth: Wukong illustrate a broader truth about gaming hardware. The best hardware can enhance a great game, but it cannot replace the game's design, art, and challenge. A player who loves Wukong on base PS5 is not missing out on the experience. A player who wants every frame and every pixel may find the Pro worthwhile. As 2026 unfolds, the decision remains personal. Is the pursuit of the best worth the premium? Or is "perfectly fine" already enough? Only the individual player can answer that.