Base PS5 Gets AI Upscaling Starting With Wolverine and Ghost of Yotei to Make Smallest Details Look Even Crisper

Sony is bringing advanced AI upscaling technology to the base PlayStation 5, beginning with Marvel’s Wolverine and Ghost of Yotei. The studio announced that a new version of the image-enhancing tech will arrive in both games today, extending visual improvements beyond the PS5 Pro console to owners of the standard hardware.

The technology is called Quick Spectral Super Resolution (QSSR), distinct from PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), which originally debuted on the PS5 Pro. Sony describes QSSR as a “new performance tier of AI upscaling” that emerged from its collaboration with AMD known as Project Amethyst, aiming to deliver sharper imagery without requiring the more powerful hardware found in the flagship console.

A Tailored Approach for Base Hardware

According to Sony, QSSR relies on a “streamlined neural network architecture” paired with a “hand-tuned implementation that maximizes performance on PS5.” The company claims these combined efforts should bring “notable improvements to both image detail and image stability on PS5,” though the exact technical mechanics differ from the more demanding PSSR used on the Pro model.

To illustrate the difference, Sony released brief video clips comparing visual output. One clip zooms into a distant background in Marvel’s Wolverine, where faraway buildings appear crisper and less blurred than before. The footage suggests QSSR adds pixel-level clarity to environments across Logan’s journey through Madripoor, Shinjuku, and other locations.

“QSSR adds more pixel-level clarity and stability to our environments, bringing out extra detail amidst the busy streets of Madripoor, the dense alleyways of Shinjuku, and many other areas across Logan’s epic journey.”

Mike Fitzgerald, head of tech at Insomniac Games

Visible Improvements Across Titles

The second demonstration clip comes from Ghost of Yotei, comparing close-up shots of reeds protruding from a nearby pond. While the detail improvement is apparent in the footage, how much players will notice during actual gameplay remains uncertain, as screen size, viewing distance, and individual perception all factor into perceived quality.

“We’ve long wished that all PS5 players could experience the incredible image quality that PSSR brings to PS5 Pro, and QSSR is a positive step towards that goal.”

Jasmin Patry, lead rendering engineer at Sucker Punch Productions

The community response has been largely positive, with many players appreciating Sony’s effort to democratize image quality enhancements. Technical observers note that the availability of such technology on base hardware could encourage broader adoption across the platform, though developers will need to implement it individually within their own engines.

Looking Ahead

QSSR is available in both Marvel’s Wolverine and Ghost of Yotei on PS5 today, with Sony offering the technology to all developers on the platform. The company has not specified how many studios will adopt QSSR or when additional games might receive updates incorporating the feature.

As more developers weigh whether to integrate the upscaling tech into their titles, players can expect a gradual rollout across upcoming releases. Whether QSSR becomes a standard expectation for next-generation visuals remains to be seen, but its initial deployment marks a notable step toward expanding image quality options beyond the PS5 Pro.