In a simultaneously strange but exciting move, Activision randomly ported Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 & 2 to the PS4 and PS5 on July 9, charging $39.99 for each game. To be fair, PS Plus subscribers can pick them up for $19.99 until August 6, so you can get them at a more reasonable price. While BO is beloved, BO2 is more highly regarded and seems to be getting more attention. However, the question remains: should you purchase Black Ops 2 on the PS5?
Black Ops 2 is an undisputed masterpiece and among the best FPS games of the 2010s, representing one of the highest peaks in the Call of Duty franchise. The fact that it is readily available on PS5 and PS4 is an absolute blessing, and this port is ultimately good news. However, push past the nostalgic shot this release might trigger, and the reality is that we are talking about dropping either $19.99 or $39.99 on a PS3 game in 2026.
Just to be clear, you are the only person who can decide if Black Ops 2 is worth $20 or $40. If the answer is “yes,” then it is not a mistake.
BO2 comes with the campaign, PvP multiplayer, and Zombies.
A Straight Port With A 1080p Upgrade
Not A Remaster
Before considering anything, everybody should know exactly what they are signing up for. Black Ops 1 and 2 have been ported to the PS4 and PS5 with basically no changes except for a graphics bump to 1080p, which is the minimum that could have been done except for literally nothing. Also, you cannot boost the resolution to 1440p or 4K; 1080p is the maximum.
Both games are locked at 60 fps as well, since they only support up to 60 Hz screens. It doesn’t matter if you have a 120hz 4K TV; you will be playing a 1080p 60 fps shooter in 2026.
Finally, these aren’t the complete versions with all the DLC. No, this is just Black Ops and its sequel in their base forms, untouched. On the one hand, it is kind of cool to have authentic versions of these important FPS games available on the PS5; on the other hand, they are $39.99!
On a positive note, cross-gen between PS4 and PS5 seems to work, so there is at least that. Crossplay with Xbox and PC doesn’t appear to be available, though.
Actually, The PS5 Port Has One Major Advantage Over The PC Version
It Is Safe
While this article is pretty negative, I want to mention one thing that gives the PS4 and PS5 ports an edge over the PC versions. Because it uses unsecured P2P networking, the Steam version is susceptible to Remote Code Execution exploits, rendering its public servers completely unusable. Unless playing through the Plutonium Client, players should 100% avoid BO2‘s multiplayer; honestly, they should avoid going online entirely.
Because they run on Sony’s closed network, the PlayStation ports are free of this issue, allowing players to jump online without worrying their systems might come under attack.
The $19.99 Sale Only Looks Fine Because Of The Full Price
Even Then, It Doesn’t Really Look Fine
Like Nintendo, Activision doesn’t often offer major discounts on Call of Duty games, nor does the publisher love to reduce their MSRP. For instance, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 still costs $39.99 on Steam, and its all-time low price is just $12.88, according to IsThereAnyDeal. That’s astounding for a game turning 14 in November of this year, especially given that there are 13 newer Call of Duty games, all of which are also pretty expensive.
Activision’s 50% launch discount for the PS5 version could very well entice an impulsive reaction from die-hard fans who grew up with Black Ops 2, and they might do so without reading the fine print. You are paying $19.99 for a mostly unenhanced port intended to tap into your nostalgia. So many indie games that can be purchased for roughly the same price, and they came out within the last decade.
The instant discount also suggests that Activision might be aware that $39.99 is a hard sell for Black Ops 2.
BO2’s Season Pass Is $29.99
Yes, There’s A Season Pass
As previously mentioned, the DLC – “Revolution,” “Uprising,” “Vengeance,” and “Apocalypse” – don’t come with the $39.99 price; instead, players need to drop extra cash to pick up everything. Bizarre as it is to see a PS3 game with a season pass, you can find just that on the PS Store for both Black Ops games.
Confusing title aside, BO2‘s season pass is simply a collection of 21 DLC maps, which is by no means insignificant. On Steam, BO2‘s season pass is still available for $29.99, suggesting these ports were primarily designed to simply offer the PC experience on the PS4 and PS5. They were done to make BO and BO2 available to modern audiences and nothing more.
One thing to consider is that Black Ops 2 uses splintered matchmaking, separating the DLC map packs from the base content and dividing the player base in the process. BO2‘s multiplayer is still fire, but its longevity is hard to predict, especially since crossplay with Xbox and PC isn’t available.
The Game Isn’t Perfectly Optimized For The PS5
A True “Playing A 2012 Game On A 2026 System” Experience
Take a quick stroll through the Black Ops 2 or Call of Duty subreddit, and you will find quite a few posts discussing technical issues with both ports. One of the biggest reported issues is input lag and dead zone, as BO2 doesn’t seem to pair that well with the DualSense.
Fortunately, workarounds exist that could mitigate the problem, though their success rates vary or require picking up a DualSense Edge. People seem to be having wildly different experiences, with some going through matches without any major problems.
You Cannot Carry Over Your PS3 Multiplayer Progression
A Level Playing Field
This might be the biggest dealbreaker for some people: You cannot continue your PS3 progression. The PS4 and PS5 versions operate on entirely different servers than the 2012 original, meaning players will need to start from scratch and re-unlock every perk or weapon.
The “positive” argument for a full refresh is that it forces everyone to start from a level playing field, but that doesn’t really hold much water. We are, ultimately, talking about a retro port that will primarily attract legacy players, who will naturally have an edge over complete newcomers or casual players. By starting everyone at level 1, the matchmaking system will pair weathered veterans with fresh-faced newbies, allowing the former to stomp the latter into oblivion.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II
8/10
- Released
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November 13, 2012
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs
- Engine
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