Fans of the Call of Duty franchise have reason to celebrate this summer, as two of the series’ most beloved entries—Black Ops (2010) and Black Ops 2 (2012)—are finally breaking free from their last-generation confines. Treyarch, the studio behind these iconic games, officially announced on June 17, 2026, that both titles will be ported to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in July, with development duties handled by veteran porting studio Iron Galaxy. For many, this marks the end of a long wait to revisit these classics on modern Sony hardware.
The news, which had been the subject of persistent rumors and datamined leaks for weeks, was confirmed by Treyarch on X (formerly Twitter): “It’s official: the original Black Ops and Black Ops 2 are being ported to PlayStation in July, courtesy of our partners at Iron Galaxy.” In a follow-up post, the studio clarified that both games will include their full campaigns, competitive multiplayer, and the ever-popular Zombies mode. According to Kotaku, the announcement comes after years of speculation about remasters or remakes, but Treyarch was explicit in stating these are ports of the original games, not overhauled versions. Players shouldn’t expect updated visuals or significant new features—this is about preserving the original experience for a new generation of PlayStation fans.
For over a decade, Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 were effectively locked to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 hardware, leaving fans with few options but to dig out old consoles or, in the case of Xbox owners, rely on backwards compatibility. As GamesRadar+ points out, PlayStation 5’s lack of backwards compatibility for PS3-era titles meant that Sony loyalists were left out in the cold, while Xbox players could still access the original 360 versions on Xbox One and Series X/S. However, these versions are not without issues: “The 360 versions are infested with hacked Xbox 360 players and don’t take full advantage of the hardware,” notes Kotaku, highlighting the need for fresh, secure ports.
The ports are being developed by Iron Galaxy, a studio well known for its work on high-profile projects such as the Spyro Reignited Trilogy, Overwatch, and PC versions of The Last of Us and Uncharted. Their experience with technically demanding ports gives fans reason for cautious optimism. Still, as Insider Gaming and GamesRadar+ both emphasize, these are not remasters or remakes—players should expect the same gameplay, visuals, and mechanics as the originals. “These are straight ports of the original games—not remasters or remakes,” reported Insider Gaming. That means no new graphics, no reworked mechanics, and no quality-of-life improvements beyond what modern hardware naturally allows.
One of the biggest questions hanging over the ports is how multiplayer will be handled. The original server infrastructure for both games is now outdated, and neither Treyarch nor Activision has specified whether new servers will be established or if the ports will rely on legacy systems. For many, especially those who remember Black Ops 2 as the franchise’s competitive multiplayer peak, this is a crucial detail. As Insider Gaming notes, “It’s currently unknown how Activision plans to handle the multiple servers and capabilities (which are quite outdated).” Without clear answers, fans are left to wonder if the online experience will live up to their memories—or if technical limitations will hold it back.
Pricing is another open question. No official details have been released regarding how much the ports will cost, either in the United States or internationally. Speculation across gaming forums and media outlets suggests that prices could reach up to $25 each, a point of concern for players considering the age of the titles. As Kotaku observes, “I really hope they aren’t more than $25 each. But considering the fact that the original Black Ops on Xbox 360 costs $40 to buy digitally in 2026…I’m prepared for these ports to be pricey.” The value proposition will likely depend on whether Activision opts for a budget-friendly approach or treats these ports as premium legacy releases.
For longtime fans, the arrival of these ports is more than just a nostalgia trip. Black Ops and Black Ops 2 are widely regarded as high points in the Call of Duty franchise. The first game, set during the Cold War, introduced a gripping campaign and helped establish Zombies as a core mode. Its sequel, set in a near-future world, featured branching campaign missions and is often cited as the series’ multiplayer zenith. Their return to PlayStation comes at a pivotal time for the franchise—Call of Duty 2026 is moving away from supporting PS4 and Xbox One, signaling a new era for the series. Yet, as Insider Gaming notes, “Bringing back two fan-favourite entries in the same year as the franchise moves forward is an interesting move from Activision.”
Notably, there has been no official confirmation about whether the ports will be coming to Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, or PC. While Xbox players can still access the original versions via backwards compatibility, there’s no word from Treyarch or Activision on dedicated ports for those platforms. This has left some in the community puzzled, especially given Microsoft’s ownership of Activision. As Kotaku comments, “Hopefully Xbox, the company that owns Activision, won’t forget to also port BLOPS and its follow-up to Xbox One and/or Xbox Series X/S in July, too.” For now, PlayStation owners are the clear beneficiaries of this revival.
The announcement also comes amid broader rumors about the future of Call of Duty on other platforms, including speculation that Nintendo’s next-generation console could see its own version of the franchise. While nothing has been confirmed, it’s clear that Activision is thinking strategically about how to keep its legacy titles accessible as the gaming landscape shifts.
For those considering a return to the world of Black Ops, the advice from gaming journalists is to temper expectations. As Insider Gaming puts it, “Ports without remaster treatment can vary in quality, and without clarity on server infrastructure, it’s hard to say how the multiplayer experience will hold up.” Still, Iron Galaxy’s track record and the enduring popularity of both campaigns and Zombies mode make these ports an enticing prospect for veterans and newcomers alike.
Ultimately, the PlayStation ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 offer a chance for a new generation of players to experience two of the franchise’s most influential titles—warts and all. With so many questions left unanswered about servers, pricing, and potential releases on other platforms, all eyes are on Treyarch and Activision as July approaches. For now, fans can only wait and hope that these long-awaited ports live up to the legacy of their originals.