Quick Answer
Yes. Activision and Treyarch have confirmed that Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops II are coming to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 for the first time in July 2026. Both games will be available digitally through the PlayStation Store and are being handled in partnership with port specialist Iron Galaxy Studios.
These are native ports, not remasters. The graphics, engine, and assets are pulled forward from the original 2010 and 2012 releases, with performance tuning for current PlayStation hardware. There is no rebuilt lighting, no rerecorded audio, and no asset overhaul.
The full package, including campaign, multiplayer, and the original Zombies maps, is included for both games.
Why this is a big deal for PlayStation owners
Xbox players have been able to enjoy both Black Ops 1 and Black Ops II for years thanks to Microsoft's backward compatibility programme, which carried the games forward from the Xbox 360 to Xbox One and then to Xbox Series X and S with frame rate and resolution boosts. PlayStation 3 owners had to choose between holding onto ageing hardware or losing access entirely.
Sony's PlayStation Now and PlayStation Plus Premium services never picked up either game. The July 2026 release is the first time Black Ops 1 and 2 will be playable natively on a current PlayStation console.
What is included
Each title ships with its full original feature set intact.
- Black Ops (2010). Alex Mason's Cold War campaign, the launch multiplayer suite, the Wager Match modes, and the original Zombies maps including Kino der Toten, Five, Ascension, Call of the Dead, Shangri La, and Moon.
- Black Ops II (2012). The branching Raul Menendez campaign with multiple endings, the full multiplayer map list including Nuketown 2025, Raid, Standoff, and Hijacked, plus the Zombies maps Tranzit, Nuketown Zombies, Die Rise, Mob of the Dead, Buried, and Origins.
Activision has not yet confirmed whether map packs sold as downloadable content on the original releases are bundled in, sold separately, or rolled into the base price. Expect clarification in the weeks ahead of launch.
Ports, not remasters: the deliberate choice
Treyarch has been explicit that neither game is being remastered. The decision is partly about budget and partly about ecosystem strategy. Activision spent the last two Modern Warfare remasters learning that fans expect a remaster to ship clean and bug free, which is an expensive promise to keep.
There is also a competitive overlap problem. The next mainline release, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, is expected in October 2026. A fully rebuilt Black Ops 2 could split the active multiplayer base. Native ports preserve the originals as a nostalgia product without competing with the new flagship.
What the PS5 upgrade actually delivers
Iron Galaxy is the studio behind well regarded ports like Skyrim on Switch and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 on Steam Deck. Their work on the Black Ops ports is expected to include:
- Native 4K resolution output on PS5 and locked 1080p on PS4.
- 60 frames per second target on both consoles, with PS5 holding the frame rate more consistently in heavy multiplayer scenes.
- Faster load times thanks to SSD storage on PS5.
- DualSense controller support for haptics and adaptive trigger feedback on PS5, though the depth of integration has not been detailed.
Existing assets and engine code mean the games will still look like their original era. Treyarch is selling the era, not hiding it.
The big open question: cheat protection
Original PlayStation 3 era Call of Duty multiplayer was hit hard by lobby exploits and modded match griefing. Whether Iron Galaxy ships these ports on modern, server side authoritative netcode or rebuilds atop the original peer to peer architecture will decide how playable the multiplayer is at launch.
If the team ports the games to the current Call of Duty anti cheat backbone, the multiplayer could become a long term home for veterans. If they ship the original netcode untouched, expect a fun two week reunion that fades fast.
How to pre order and what to expect at launch
Both titles will be available digitally on the PlayStation Store at launch in July 2026. Activision has not confirmed a physical disc release, a price, or a Day 1 inclusion in PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium. Pre order details are expected closer to launch through the official Call of Duty channels.
Frequently asked questions
When do Black Ops 1 and 2 come to PS4 and PS5?
July 2026 via the PlayStation Store. The exact day has not been confirmed.
Are these remasters?
No. They are native ports of the original games with performance tuning for current PlayStation hardware.
Will the Zombies maps be included?
Yes. The original base Zombies maps for both titles are confirmed.
Will Black Ops 3 also come to PS4 and PS5?
Activision has not announced a similar port for Black Ops 3. Only Black Ops 1 and Black Ops II have been confirmed.
