PlayStation 4 and 5 players will receive Call of Duty Black Ops 1 and 2 after two generations of waiting
After a long period, the classics Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 will finally be released for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, ending an absence of two generations of consoles. Treyarch officially confirmed the news, stating that the ports are being developed by Iron Galaxy for a release scheduled for July. The announcement makes recent rumors official and offers PlayStation fans the opportunity to revisit the origins of the acclaimed series.
Long waiting period for classic titles to arrive on PlayStation
Originally released in November 2010 and November 2012, respectively, Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 were only available for PlayStation 3. Unlike Xbox players, who maintained access to older titles through backwards compatibility, PlayStation 4 and 5 owners were left without a native version of these games. This scenario, in large part, was due to the different architectural approaches of Sony and Microsoft consoles in relation to compatibility with previous generations. For those who wanted to play them on PlayStation, the only alternative was to keep a PS3.
This two-generation gap represents a considerable amount of time in the gaming universe. Many players who began their journey on PS4 never had the chance to experience the original Black Ops campaigns, its iconic multiplayer maps, or the innovative Zombies modes that helped solidify the franchise’s reputation.
Understand the distinction between direct ports and remastered versions of games
It is essential to clarify that the releases are direct ports of the original games, and not remasters. Iron Galaxy, responsible for the work, and Treyarch, developer, made it clear that fans should not expect major visual updates. Titles will run on modern PlayStation hardware, but the core experience and graphical fidelity will remain the same as on PlayStation 3.
These are ports of the original games, not remasters. Visual fidelity will reflect the original releases, without a rebuilt build from scratch.
The decision to offer ports, instead of remasters, is not necessarily a negative point. Both games are still very well-regarded in terms of design, and multiplayer communities have long requested access to these titles on newer platforms. Many players crave the atmosphere and design of the original Black Ops maps, along with the more down-to-earth gameplay, characteristics that will be maintained in these ports.
Current overview of the Call of Duty Black Ops franchise on the market
The Black Ops franchise has seen rapid evolution in recent years. Black Ops 6 was released in 2024, followed by Black Ops 7 in 2025, marking the first time the subseries has released in consecutive years. However, 2026 will be a break year for Black Ops, as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will take over the annual release, scheduled for October 23rd on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, Switch 2 and PC.
The timing chosen for these ports is strategic. With the absence of a new Black Ops title in 2026, the availability of original games for PlayStation helps keep the franchise in the spotlight and gives a new generation of players the chance to explore the series’ roots.
For those interested in delving into the current era of the franchise before the ports arrive, the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 guides can serve as a starting point. Additionally, the second half of 2026 promises extensive coverage of shooters, with the release of Modern Warfare 4 approaching in October.
















