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Treyarch confirms long-awaited PS5 ports are arriving this July, though the cost of reliving these classic shooters is sparking intense backlash from the Call of Duty community.
After years of PlayStation fans feeling left out, Treyarch has officially confirmed that Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 are finally making their way to the PS5. The announcement, which set the gaming community abuzz, revealed a July release date for both titles. However, the celebration was quickly tempered by the absence of one crucial detail: the price.
Now, thanks to an insider leak, we have a clearer picture of what it will cost to revisit these iconic military shooters on Sony's current-gen hardware – and it's not going down well with fans.
The Price of Nostalgia
According to a report from CharlieIntel, the Xbox store recently updated its pricing for both games, offering the first concrete clues about what PlayStation users can expect. Without any discounts, the two titles could set buyers back a combined $80 when they land on the PlayStation Store.
While that might seem reasonable for two beloved entries in the franchise, the costs stack up quickly when you factor in additional content. Unlike some modern releases that bundle DLCs into the base price, Treyarch's ports appear to be following a different formula. The various $10 DLC packs will not be complimentary for PS5 players, meaning those who want the complete experience will need to open their wallets wide.
There is some relief for fans hoping to grab the Season Pass, which has been reduced from its original $50 price tag to a more palatable $30. Most cosmetic items are also being offered for free, though that's small consolation for players looking at the bigger picture.
For a deeper dive into the pricing breakdown, you can check out TheGamer's comprehensive analysis here.
The $150 Question
TheGamer's calculations paint a grim financial picture for completionists. Purchasing Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 with all their add-ons could cost buyers up to $150. This figure has sparked immediate criticism from supporters of the Activision franchise, who are quick to point out that these games originally debuted in 2010 and 2012.
Adding insult to injury, these PS5 ports are not remasters or remakes. Treyarch has confirmed that players shouldn't expect major graphical overhauls or significant quality-of-life upgrades. These are essentially the same games that launched on the PS3 over a decade ago, now running on modern hardware.
The PS3 Legacy Problem
PC and Xbox gamers have long enjoyed relatively easy access to these classic shooters. Steam users can find both titles on Valve's marketplace, and Microsoft's robust backward compatibility efforts ensure that older games remain playable on its consoles. PlayStation gamers, however, have been left in the cold – and there's a technical reason for that.
The PS3's unorthodox cell processor has made modernizing these titles for current-gen PlayStation hardware notably difficult. Sony's architecture is famously complex, and porting games designed for that unique system presents challenges that Microsoft's more traditional Xbox hardware doesn't face. This technical hurdle explains why PlayStation fans have had to wait so long – and why these aren't the enhanced versions many had hoped for.
Confirmation and Concerns
The official announcement from Treyarch comes amid ongoing community concerns. Activision has historically been hesitant to discount its still-popular older Call of Duty games, even years after their initial release. On Steam, when not on sale, buyers encounter a familiar $40 price tag for each title – the same price point that has drawn criticism from PC players for years.
Perhaps even more troubling is the state of the multiplayer experience. Loyal fans often find themselves facing outdated multiplayer modes besieged by cheaters, with hacking and exploits running rampant in older titles. Treyarch has not clarified whether the Black Ops and Black Ops 2 PS5 release dates will introduce new servers or any anti-cheat measures to combat this persistent problem.
The announcement was shared via the studio's official social channels. You can view the original confirmation here.
For additional details on the pricing leak, CharlieIntel's report provides further context.
What PlayStation Players Can Expect
Despite the backlash over pricing, there's still plenty for PlayStation gamers to look forward to. The original single-player campaigns for both games remain standout experiences in the first-person shooter genre. Black Ops' Cold War espionage narrative and Black Ops 2's branching storyline set across multiple decades are widely considered among the best in Call of Duty history.
Additionally, the beloved zombies mode will be available in these ports, allowing PS5 players to dive into the undead mayhem that has become a franchise staple.
However, competitive players might want to temper their expectations. PlayStation gamers likely won't see native 120 Hz visuals to gain a competitive edge, meaning those hoping for a buttery-smooth experience on high-refresh-rate displays may be disappointed.
The Bottom Line
As the July release date approaches, the gaming community remains divided. On one hand, PS5 players finally get access to two of the most acclaimed entries in the Call of Duty franchise. On the other, the pricing strategy feels out of step with what modern gamers expect – especially for decade-old titles that haven't received significant visual or technical upgrades.
Many fans are now hoping that the publisher offers a bundle with DLC that makes reliving these classic shooters less painful on wallets. Until then, the conversation around these releases will likely remain contentious, with nostalgia clashing against perceived value in a market that has evolved dramatically since Black Ops first hit store shelves in 2010.
Will you be picking up these classics when they arrive on PS5, or is the price tag too steep for games you've already played? The debate is just beginning.
Source : CharlieIntel X account, TreyArch X account, TheGamer
Black Ops and Black Ops 2 on PC and Xbox got some store updates today:
— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) June 19, 2026
Base game is $40 each
Individual DLCs is $10 (previously $15)
Season Pass is $30 (previously $50)
MTX Camos Personalization Packs are now free
This could be how PlayStation ports are priced too. pic.twitter.com/g4uZUaUsNO