Full Breakdown
Black Ops 1 & 2 Arrive on PlayStation 4/5: Pricing, DLC, and Content Concerns
7/10/2026, 6:40:46 PM
Core Release Details
Activision confirmed that Treyarch’s original *Call of Duty: Black Ops* (2010) and *Black Ops 2* (2012) are being ported to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in July. The releases are described as “straightforward ports” rather than full remasters, meaning the games run natively on the new hardware but retain the original code base and feature set.
Pricing Structure
Both base titles are listed at $40 USD each on the PlayStation Store. Each game also offers a separate season pass that bundles all four original DLC packs for $30 USD. Purchasing both games and both season passes would therefore cost $140 USD. A limited-time PlayStation Plus promotion reduces the price to $20 per base game and $10 per season pass, bringing the total to roughly $60 USD if bought before the discount expires on August 6.
Content Changes & Omissions
The ports do not add new features or enable cross-play. Reports indicate that classic modes such as Theater Mode and Wager Matches (Black Ops) and League Mode (Black Ops 2) are absent, as reflected in missing trophies for “Date Night,” “In the Money,” and a simplified “Big Leagues” requirement. No official confirmation has been issued regarding these cuts, leaving the possibility that the trophy lists are incomplete.
Background & Original DLC Model
When the games launched on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, post-launch content was delivered via four separate DLC map packs per title, extending multiplayer and Zombies experiences. The new ports bring those same DLC packs to PlayStation 4/5, but they must be purchased individually or via the season passes described above.
Official Statements & Responses
Activision has emphasized that the releases are “straightforward ports” and not remastered editions, indicating a focus on preserving the original experience rather than overhauling graphics or adding modern live-service elements. Neither Activision nor Treyarch has officially confirmed the removal of any game modes, and they have not detailed the pricing strategy beyond the standard store listings.
Criticism & Opposition
Industry observers and fans have criticized the high price point for games that are over a decade old, especially when the season passes cost nearly as much as the base titles. Comparisons have been drawn to recent remasters—such as the *Oblivion* remaster, which bundled story DLC for $50—highlighting the perceived disparity. The omission of beloved modes like Theater and Wager Matches has also sparked disappointment, with some players questioning whether the ports will deliver the full nostalgic experience.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While trophy leaks suggest certain modes are missing, the lack of an official statement creates uncertainty. It remains unclear whether the absent trophies reflect permanent content removal or simply an incomplete trophy roster in the leaked lists.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Both of the original Black Ops games have been released digitally on PS4 and PS5 for $40 each.” — Cade Onder, Freelancer, IGN
- “There are no new features with these ports and there's no crossplay, which may actually be a good thing.” — Cade Onder, Freelancer, IGN
- “CharlieIntel reports that wager matches and theater mode have been removed, something that players suspected when the trophy lists leaked earlier this week.” — Cade Onder, Freelancer, IGN
- “Each base game costs $40, and the season pass for each game, which includes all four of each game’s DLC packs, costs $30 each.” — Vice Staff, Vice
What’s Next
The PlayStation Plus discount expires on August 6, after which the full $40/$30 pricing will apply. No further release-date adjustments or content updates have been announced, leaving the community to await any post-launch patches or official clarifications.
