Most improved game on a 'Pro' console or Backwards Compat

Alexrose1uk · 11 Nov 2025 at 17:17

So was thinking about this earlier, PC users have been used to going back and playing games years later, and being able to turn settings to the max etc, but this is still a RELATIVELY new concept on consoles, however now we've got the several generations of Xbox with backwards compatibility, simultaneous Series S/X, the PS4 AND 5 Pro, and the Switch 2 kinda acting like a Switch PRO for games that haven't had an upgrade release/patch, and even more for games that have, what do you think are the best examples of games that have REALLY benefitted from a Pro console (or enhanced backwards compat upgrades).

To start it off, I'll put forward Zelda Tears of the Kingdom on Switch 2, especially if you grab the Switch 2 upgrade.
Sub 1080p resolution even docked, and often times 20FPS on Switch 1; to a noticeably improved resolution, and crucially, borderline locked 60FPS on Switch 2.

xaldub · 12 Nov 2025 at 00:08

Both TotK and BotW are good examples, as you say. On PS5, GT7 and The Crew Motorfest benefit significantly from the Pro model and I've heard the same is true for AC:Shadows.

Vinno · 13 Nov 2025 at 14:33

I've not played it myself on the Pro, but FF7 Rebirth is supposed to be a huge improvement over playing in on the OG PS5.

Timber · 13 Nov 2025 at 16:47

A few others that immediately spring to mind;

Borderlands 3 going from Xbox One|S|X/PS4|Pro to PS5 & Series X. The frame-rate was pretty awful on the older generation.
Destiny 2 on the PS5/Series X - 60fps boost
Similarly the old PS4 and Xbox One Assassin's Creed Origins & Odyssey getting 60fps modes in 2022(?). Makes a massive difference on the new consoles particularly when added to the One X & PS4 Pro resolution boost
There are other Ubisoft games that also benefitted from 60fps upgrades; Ghost Recon: Breakpoint got a 60fps mode too, some older Assassin's Creed games.
The Division 1 which is native 4K & 60 fps on Xbox Series X, but limited to 1080p & 30 fps on PS5/Pro.
The Division 2 despite being a PS4/Xbox One game is native 4K & 60 fps. And looks beautiful. Something about those Division games that still stands the test of time, irrespective of format.
A few Microsoft back compat team/FPS boost ones
- Star Wars:Knights of the Old Republic on Xbox One X getting the 4K upscale and 60fps update (a game that's very difficult to get working well on PC). You may need the Series X to get true 60 fps.
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (360 version) 4k upscale & 60fps with more (maybe redundant now)
- Fallout 3 - again 4K up res & 60fps.

Plainsong · 13 Nov 2025 at 19:17

Need to grab Breakpoint as the PS4 performance was dire. The Division 2 runs so sweetly now. I have it permanently installed on the Pro and play through new season content when it drops. Amazing game.

Timber · 13 Nov 2025 at 21:02

Plainsong said:
Need to grab Breakpoint as the PS4 performance was dire. The Division 2 runs so sweetly now. I have it permanently installed on the Pro and play through new season content when it drops. Amazing game.

I played a lot of TD1 on PC and a bit of TD2 on Xbox, but bounced hard off the sequel. Always bought into the narrative the original was the better game. Fast forward to this year and since January I've now gone sailing past the 400 hour mark. SHD 1,2xx with a Coyote Mask + Ceska/Obliterate Chest + 4 pc Strikers + Lexington AR (between this and the St. Elmos for my favourite weapon). Love it and have realised it's better than the original game in every way. They have successfully added progression systems and made the game much more fun compared to the original in-terms of Exotics and Gear Sets. I've just done my forth Battle Pass (although struggling with the journey). But I do want to move on from this game as I'm struggling to play my backlog!

Regarding GR:Breakpoint it is slightly disappointing on PS5 vs. Series X. On Series X it's 4K/30, or 1440/60 where as the PS5 version is 1440p/30, or 1080/60. So image quality isn't as nice. I had to replay it on PS5 after selling the Series X last year and it did stick out a bit. Still better than playing on the PS4/Pro though, but a shame. Whilst AC:Origins & Odyssey benefit from the better One X enhancements the PS4 Pro wasn't as far behind with those games so it matters much less.

Plainsong · 14 Nov 2025 at 09:14

Agreed on TD2 when it clicks it’s something else. I didn’t like it as much as the first either but grew to like it more.

I’ve played the updated AC games love them. AC Syndicate also got an update which was never really shouted about. The game runs beautifully now.

I don’t mind 1080p it’s the extra frames that I want. I downloaded it will have a look later cheers.

Timber · 14 Nov 2025 at 15:09

Plainsong said:
Agreed on TD2 when it clicks it’s something else. I didn’t like it as much as the first either but grew to like it more.

Yea, it's one of the best looter shooters. Full stop. And it does resolve so many of the complaints with the original. That said I think the main issue this time has been the cadence of support whilst Ubisoft/Massive was mucking around with mobile versions and other projects (Avatar) rather then concentrating on the golden goose (*cough* Bungie guilty of this too).

I still preferred the map/setting of the original. And the decision to split the DZ in the sequel is a sackable offence. As a PVE'er I used to go into the original DZ all the time. In this one there's very little reason too. When I have it's been empty.

However I think they have potentially a great platform for a third release. Support it fully with a few more progression systems and that could be another good one. Maybe also loosen up the movement a bit, or open up travel options.

Plainsong · 14 Nov 2025 at 19:19

Interesting I never actually went into the DZ in 2. Far too stressful in the first so I avoided it altogether.

Thanks for the heads up on Breakpoint by the way it’s great so far and it runs very nicely on the Pro. Unlike some here I am not bored yet of the Ubisoft formula. I just love getting lost in sandboxes exploring and doing stuff.

Timber · 14 Nov 2025 at 20:00

Plainsong said:
Interesting I never actually went into the DZ in 2. Far too stressful in the first so I avoided it altogether.

Thanks for the heads up on Breakpoint by the way it’s great so far and it runs very nicely on the Pro. Unlike some here I am not bored yet of the Ubisoft formula. I just love getting lost in sandboxes exploring and doing stuff.

Np I still need to complete the last mission on Breakpoint and do some of the DLC (played some of the post-campaign DLC on Xbox).

I agree with you btw, tend to really enjoy open-world games and not tired of the Ubiworld formula either.

I remember with the TD1 at the start I did get killed a few times in DZ near release, but when they introduced the weekly exotic assignment (1.5 update?) where you had to kill x number of a certain faction (LMB) and it was fairly chilled. Would see people but they ignored me mostly, sometimes they'd stare me down, but I can't remember getting killed, but tbf I was rarely extracting stuff. Whether I've been unlucky, or the wrong time I've never seen another soul in any of the DZs in TD2. Even once accidently activated Rogue Agent on those terminals (didn't realise what I was doing). No-one responded. So I think this is the disadvantage with splitting the zones, or given the game's age a lot of the PVP players are in MP modes, or moved on.

Plainsong · 14 Nov 2025 at 20:22

Ironically I am smashing Arc Raiders at the minute which is an extraction shooter and not generally my kind of game. Something about it though just pushes my buttons. I love it because mostly people are only interested in the loot and PVE elements rather than just killing other players - though that still happens ofc but rarely. Sounds like the DZ is similar then so I might have to venture in at some point.

Timber · 14 Nov 2025 at 20:32

Plainsong said:
Ironically I am smashing Arc Raiders at the minute which is an extraction shooter and not generally my kind of game. Something about it though just pushes my buttons. I love it because mostly people are only interested in the loot and PVE elements rather than just killing other players - though that still happens ofc but rarely. Sounds like the DZ is similar then so I might have to venture in at some point.

I've seen Arc Raiders, looks very good. Like you I'm not really a PVP/online person so good to hear it's not too bad.

Pawnless Endgame · Thursday at 16:27

How about Super Mario Galaxy from 2007, a Wii game, so only 480p?

It's been remastered for the Switch and now the Switch 2. It is cartoony graphics like with most Mario games, but I appreciate the texture effects on the Switch 2 remaster, especially on those giant bees, ice and metallic surfaces and the space backgrounds. The only thing that haven't improved is anything that is raster e.g. Rosalina's storybook. I'm still getting used to the controls too as the gyro sensor on the Switch 2 pro controller doesn't seem to be as good as the original Switch pro controller. It's also an issue with Zelda BOTW with the shrines that require gyro control in that I have to re-centre the controller every now and then.

Timber · Friday at 01:17

Pawnless Endgame said:
How about Super Mario Galaxy from 2007, a Wii game, so only 480p?

It's been remastered for the Switch and now the Switch 2. It is cartoony graphics like with most Mario games, but I appreciate the texture effects on the Switch 2 remaster, especially on those giant bees, ice and metallic surfaces and the space backgrounds. The only thing that haven't improved is anything that is raster e.g. Rosalina's storybook. I'm still getting used to the controls too as the gyro sensor on the Switch 2 pro controller doesn't seem to be as good as the original Switch pro controller. It's also an issue with Zelda BOTW with the shrines that require gyro control in that I have to re-centre the controller every now and then.

I think if you're talking about the Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 (2025) release then that qualifies based on the rules of OP, as I understand the difference between running on the Switch 1 vs. 2 is 1080p vs 4K.

However you had to buy Super Mario 3D All-Stars in 2020 which means it's not a free upgrade.

Pawnless Endgame · Friday at 13:24

^^ Yeah I original bought the 3-game pack (All-Stars) and played Galaxy off that. As I was only really interested in Galaxy out of that set and was longing to see a remaster of Galaxy 2, I sold the 3-game pack to CEX (for profit!) and bought the new 2-game pack of Galaxy 1/2.

Timber · Saturday at 00:49

Pawnless Endgame said:
^^ Yeah I original bought the 3-game pack (All-Stars) and played Galaxy off that. As I was only really interested in Galaxy out of that set and was longing to see a remaster of Galaxy 2, I sold the 3-game pack to CEX (for profit!) and bought the new 2-game pack of Galaxy 1/2.

I have 3D All-Stars somewhere (unplayed essentially, but played the originals). But still need to get the new SMG 1+2 release.

I think their are a few Switch 2 upgrades that qualify here, albeit some are not free.