Black Ops, Black Ops II Available Now on PS5, PS4

Two of the most beloved Call of Duty titles are finally available on modern PlayStation hardware, but arrive with some major caveats.

To this day, Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops II are considered some of the best entries in the Call of Duty franchise. Treyarch’s 2010 and 2012 titles managed to craft compelling and captivating campaigns, deep and stylistic multiplayer experiences, and refined the Zombies experience into the beloved mode it is today. Following the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered in 2016, there have been many calls from the community to bring back more classic titles, particularly on PlayStation given the lack of PS3 backwards compatibility.

Activision Blizzard has finally opted to bring back these two classic gems, but with some major caveats. Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops II are back, but as ports and only on PS5 and PS4.

Guess Who’s Back, Back Again

Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops II are available now on PS5 and PS4 and are direct ports of the 2010 and 2012 original. Call of Duty: Black Ops takes place during the Cold War and follows Alex Mason and Frank Woods as they attempt to unravel a worldwide conspiracy that threatens the lives of millions. Call of Duty: Black Ops II brings the action to 2025 and primarily follows David Mason, Alex’s son, as he goes up against Raul Menendez, a former drug dealer turned cyberterroist with a grudge against the USA. Both ports feature campaign, multiplayer, and Zombies.

Unfortunately, that’s about all you’re getting. Despite buffs to the game’s resolution (Digital Foundry reports 1080p), the games are otherwise untouched. Every asset remains identical to the original game, there are no 120Hz modes, and there are no modern-day features like an FOV slider. As disappointing as it is, there is one upside; new servers. These PlayStation ports do not share the same hacked servers as the PS3 or Xbox 360 originals. Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One players have to play the original Xbox 360 version via backwards compatability, which does not offer the resolution boost or new servers found in these new ports. For some reason, Activision Blizzard has not announced if these ports are coming to Xbox consoles.

At What Cost?

For more than a decade old ports with no new features, both Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops II aren’t cheap. Both games cost $40, and neither include DLC. If you want the various map packs that released during both game’s lifecycle you’ll have to cough up an additional $30. However, PlayStation is running a month-long discount that heavily cuts the price if you have a PS+ subscription:

• Base Game Cost: $39.99
• Discount until August 6: $19.99
• Season Pass Cost: $29.99
• Discount until August 6: $9.89

Call of Duty: Black Ops II also features a free pack full of weapon camos previously available for purchase back during the game’s lifecycle. There’s no indication whether this pack will remain free after the August 6 date has passed.

Activision’s efforts to bring back past Call of Dutys has been hit-and-miss. Their first attempt, Call of Duty: Classic, was an enhanced port of the very first game. While it did look visually better, it didn’t feel properly adapted for consoles. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered was the second attempt and was hugely successful. A full visual makeover, a fully functional multiplayer, and new quality-of-life features made this a massive winner, though the introduction of microtransactions and forcing players to buy the DLC map pack rubbed many the wrong way. Finally, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered was just a campaign release. No multiplayer or Spec Ops. Hopefully, future re-releases can lean more towards what we got back in 2016.

Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty:Black Ops II are available now on PS5 and PS4. Be sure to grab them by August 6 if you want those heavy discounts. We’ll let you know should Activision announce versions for Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.

Call of Duty: Black Ops

Released

November 9, 2010

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

Engine

iw

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op