Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 as ports for PS4 and PS5 - what does this mean for players?
Intelligence Summary
- Discover the details on the upcoming ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 for PS4 and PS5, including gameplay and multiplayer features.
In brief
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 are being released as ports for PS4 and PS5, without remastering.
- Developer Iron Galaxy is handling the ports, which are set to launch in July 2026.
- Activision has confirmed that both games will include campaign and multiplayer modes.
GAME-scanner analysis
Activision’s decision to release Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 as ports rather than remasters appears to be a deliberate move to tap into older players’ nostalgia. It offers the chance to preserve the authentic gameplay experience of the original titles, which will appeal to long-time fans. Iron Galaxy, a studio with experience in porting projects, has been tasked with bringing these beloved games to modern consoles. That raises expectations among fans, especially given the recent disappointing sales of the franchise’s latest entries, such as Black Ops 7, which is considered the worst-performing Call of Duty game in years. Choosing ports may also be a strategic response to demand for more authentic experiences at a time when gamers are increasingly looking back to the roots of their favorite franchises.
What does this mean for players?
For fans of the original Black Ops games, this release offers a chance to revisit the iconic campaigns and multiplayer modes on modern consoles. However, the lack of PS5-specific features such as Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) may disappoint players hoping for a more enhanced experience. That raises the question of whether these ports will be enough to convince current-gen gamers, especially with competition from other titles that do make use of the latest technology. The $40 price tag per game, without DLC, could also be seen as a negative, particularly in light of fan reactions on social media, where many считают the price unjustified for games that are already more than a decade old.
Timeline
17 June 2026: Activision announces the ports.
July 2026: Expected release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2.