Call of Duty: Black Ops Call of Duty: Black Ops II are getting ready to hit modern PlayStation consoles, with new evidence suggesting both games are getting Native PS5 versions. Treyarch has already confirmed the two classic shooters are being ported to PlayStation for a July 2026 release. Recent trophy list activity suggests they will be separate PS4 and PS5 editions rather than a single PS4 version running through backward compatibility.
The news gives PlayStation players another way to get their hands on two of the most beloved entries in the Black Ops series. Both games originally debuted during the PlayStation 3 generation, and have been difficult to play on newer Sony consoles since the PS4 and PS5 do not support native backward compatibility with PS3 discs.
Native PS5 versions may help make it more accessible.
The games have separate trophy lists for the PS4 and PS5 versions, which is a good sign that the games are being readied as dedicated releases for each generation. That means PS5 owners shouldn’t have to turn to cloud streaming or PS3 hardware to experience the original campaigns, multiplayer modes and Zombies content.
Native PS5 versions could also deliver a cleaner install and launch experience. But players should have realistic expectations. These releases are being described as ports and not full remasters, at least at the time of this writing, which means there’s no promise of major graphical overhauls, rebuilt textures or large-scale gameplay changes.
Zombies and Campaign Multiplayer return
Treyarch has confirmed that the current ports to the PlayStation will feature Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies. This is important as each mode is still a huge part of the identity of both games. The first Black Ops saw players involved in a Cold War conspiracy, with characters like Alex Mason and Frank Woods. Black Ops II pushed the envelope further, taking place across multiple time periods and including branching storylines.
The return of multiplayer will also be of interest to long-time fans who remember maps, weapons and progression systems from the original releases. Players of Zombies will be able to relive classic survival experiences that helped make the mode one of the most popular features of Call of Duty.
Iron Galaxy Developing The New Ports
The PlayStation versions are being developed by Iron Galaxy, which has a history of supporting ports and major game projects. Treyarch’s admission that there’s an outside studio involved means that Activision is aiming to bring the original experiences to new hardware without having to re-build them from the ground up.
The recent backend activity has also fueled expectations that the release could be imminent. The ports have received version updates in anticipation of their launch window in July, though exact release pricing have yet to be publicly announced, according to reports.
PlayStation Players Have Been Waiting Years for Simpler Access
Black Ops and Black Ops II coming to PS5 is a big deal, particularly since Xbox players have had an easier time accessing the older games through backward compatibility. While the original Xbox 360 games could still be played on later Xbox consoles, PlayStation owners have had few options due to the PS3’s architecture and no direct disc backward compatibility.
Special PS5 editions could finally bridge that gap, making two key Call of Duty titles more accessible on current PlayStation hardware. It also indicates a desire to keep older multiplayer and story-driven games alive through native ports rather than locked away on aging consoles.
Priyanshu Naithani writes about the fast-moving world of technology, including gadgets, apps, software, cybersecurity, digital trends, artificial intelligence, and innovation. His coverage is designed to make complex tech topics easier to understand and more useful for everyday readers.