For the first time since the PlayStation 3 era, PlayStation players will be able to experience two of the most beloved entries in Call of Duty history on their modern hardware. Treyarch has officially confirmed that Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 are heading to PlayStation via new ports, and the gaming community has erupted in excitement.
What Has Been Officially Confirmed?
Treyarch announced via social media that Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 are being ported to PlayStation in July 2026. The ports are being handled by Iron Galaxy, the development studio also known for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4.
In a follow-up post, Treyarch confirmed that both releases will include Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies, meaning players will receive the full packages rather than stripped-down versions. This directly addresses one of the biggest concerns fans had, given that the Modern Warfare 2 remaster in 2020 infamously shipped without its multiplayer mode.
| Detail | Information |
| Games | Call of Duty: Black Ops, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 |
| Developer (Port) | Iron Galaxy |
| Original Developer | Treyarch |
| Confirmed Release Window | July 2026 |
| Platform | PlayStation |
| Modes Included | Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies |
| Format | Port (not a remaster or remake) |
| Original Release Dates | Black Ops: November 2010 / Black Ops 2: November 2012 |
Are These Remasters or Just Ports?
These are ports, not remasters. Treyarch made no announcement regarding dramatic visual upgrades or gameplay changes. Players should not expect the kind of graphical overhaul seen in the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Remaster from 2016. The games will arrive in their original form, ported to run on current PlayStation hardware.
However, being a port rather than an emulated version of the PS3 titles does carry advantages. Most notably, the ports will run on new, separate servers rather than the existing PS3 infrastructure, which means the hacker-infested lobbies that have plagued the original versions on PC and older consoles should not carry over.
Which PlayStation Platforms Are Getting These Games?
The official announcement specified PlayStation without confirming exact platform details. Based on the initial leaks ahead of the announcement, the ports are expected to be PS4 native releases, which would also make them playable on PS5 through backwards compatibility. Whether there will be a dedicated native PS5 version remains unconfirmed at the time of writing.
Why PlayStation Specifically?
Both Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 have been playable on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S for years through Microsoft’s backwards compatibility programme. PlayStation players, however, have had no way to play these titles natively since the end of the PS3 generation, as Sony does not offer backwards compatibility for PS3 games on PS4 or PS5. These ports exist specifically to bridge that gap for PlayStation’s player base.
What We Still Don’t Know
Several key details remain unconfirmed as of the announcement:
- Pricing for both ports has not been revealed.
- Whether DLC map packs will be included is unconfirmed, though speculation based on reported file sizes suggests the DLC may be bundled in.
- Crossplay with other platforms has not been addressed.
- Whether players can carry over progress from existing accounts remains unknown.
- Native PS5 support beyond backwards compatibility from a PS4 version has not been confirmed.
- Whether Xbox or PC will receive equivalent updated ports with fresh servers has not been announced.
Why This Matters for Fans
The significance of this announcement goes beyond simple nostalgia. The existing PC and legacy console versions of both games have been overrun with hackers for years, making proper online multiplayer sessions virtually impossible in many cases. Fresh servers tied to a new port effectively give these games a second life, and the prospect of playing Nuketown, Origins, Mob of the Dead, Tranzit, and Gun Game without encountering cheaters is what has sparked the most excitement across the community.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 in particular has maintained a surprisingly active player base on Xbox even today, consistently ranking among the most-played titles on that platform. A clean, hack-free version on PlayStation could replicate that staying power on Sony hardware.
The Bigger Picture for Call of Duty in 2026
This announcement arrives ahead of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, which is scheduled for release on October 23, 2026 on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. MW4 is also introducing a new GTA-style wanted system to its DMZ mode, positioning itself as a major release for the franchise.
Some fans have raised questions about whether bringing back Black Ops 1 and 2 could draw players away from MW4’s launch. However, the two releases target different audiences, and if anything, renewed interest in the franchise’s classic era could work in Activision’s favour rather than against it.
Historically, Activision has been cautious about re-releasing older Call of Duty titles. The 2016 remaster of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was a commercial hit but was seen as competition for Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare at the time. The 2020 Modern Warfare 2 campaign remaster landed without multiplayer, leaving fans frustrated. These Black Ops ports, arriving with full multiplayer and Zombies intact, represent a noticeably different and more fan-friendly approach.
Key Things to Know
- Treyarch officially confirmed the ports via social media on June 17, 2026.
- Both games launch on PlayStation in July 2026, handled by Iron Galaxy.
- Full packages confirmed: Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies are all included.
- These are ports, not remasters — no significant visual upgrades are expected.
- Fresh servers are expected, separate from the hacked legacy versions on PS3, PC, and Xbox.
- Xbox and PC versions are not part of this announcement, as both games remain accessible there via backwards compatibility.
- Pricing, DLC inclusion, and crossplay details have not yet been confirmed.
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