Why Everyone Spent The Week Losing It Over The ‘PS5 Pro’ And ‘Next Xbox’

That’s pretty good.

Right? You really know conjecture has hit a fever pitch once the memes go mega-viral like that. Of course, rumors about a mid-generation refresh have circulated almost as long as this generation has gone on. The previously most significant round came in September 2021, when YouTube channel Moore’s Law Is Dead suggested the PS5 Pro could land in 2023 (with a sticker price of $700). It did not stoke memes to the same degree.

But the timing really is undeniably hot right now. Beyond the ripe marketing window and the “evidence” from TCL’s conference, there are precious few big-budget games to get excited about these days, what with the wave of recent delays. It’s fun to get excited about stuff. And if fans know there are no big touchstone games on the immediate horizon, the potential of splashy new consoles—even just an announcement—is an easy thing to point to.

Personally, I’m in no rush, beyond the fact that console manufacturers—and this might sound nuts—should probably ensure gamers can get their hands on the current models before releasing a newer, presumably pricier one. For me, there’s really one indicator it’ll be time for an upgrade: when my PS5 starts imitating a jet engine every time I try to boot up The Last of Us Part 3.