Activision has released PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops and its sequel, ending years of anticipation from fans who previously only had access to these titles on Xbox consoles via backwards compatibility. However, the launch has been met with largely negative feedback due to the games' pricing and the absence of significant enhancements or bundled content.

Both Call of Duty: Black Ops, originally released in 2010, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, released in 2012, are now available for purchase on the PlayStation Store. Each title carries a standard price of $40. A temporary discount offers both games for $20 each until August 6. This pricing structure, however, has drawn criticism, particularly concerning the need to repurchase downloadable content.

The season pass for each Black Ops port is priced at $10. Once the introductory discount expires, the season pass for each game will increase to $30. This means that acquiring both games and all their associated DLC could cost upwards of $140. Players have expressed frustration on social media platforms like Reddit, with one user questioning the decision to resell DLC, stating, "Bruh, you have to buy the DLC again?" This practice is seen as particularly egregious given that these are over a decade old.

Beyond the inclusion of the Zombies mode and other original game modes, these new ports offer minimal additions. Reports indicate a lack of graphical upgrades beyond basic upscaling to suit modern displays, no added behind-the-scenes features, and the absence of quality-of-life improvements such as an FOV slider or support for 120FPS gameplay. The ports are described as essentially the original games presented on newer hardware without substantial modernization.

Critics argue that this release represents a missed opportunity for Activision to engage positively with its fanbase. Suggestions for a more fan-friendly approach include releasing remastered versions of both games, bundling all DLC, and potentially incorporating crossplay features, all offered at a more accessible price point. The current pricing and feature set have led to widespread disappointment among players hoping for a more comprehensive or improved re-release of these beloved entries in the Call of Duty franchise.