Treyarch Classics Confirmed for Native PS5 Launch as Trophy Leaks Point to July Release
Key takeaways
- Separate native builds confirmed for both PS5 and PS4 via Trophy lists on Sony's servers
- Iron Galaxy ports will include campaign, multiplayer, and Zombies but no DLC at the expected $40 price
- A July release date announcement appears imminent based on the Trophy list discovery
Activision is gearing up to bring two beloved entries in the Call of Duty franchise back to modern hardware, and new evidence suggests both releases are closer than fans might think. Trophy lists discovered on Sony's servers have confirmed that Black Ops and Black Ops 2 will each receive separate native builds for PS5 and PS4, putting to rest any questions about whether Sony's backwards compatibility layer would be used to bridge the gap between the two console generations.
The ports are being developed by Iron Galaxy, a studio with substantial experience handling re-releases and ports of legacy titles. Activision first announced its intention to revive these classic shooters roughly a month ago, but kept the technical specifics vague at the time. The newly uncovered Trophy data eliminates that ambiguity, confirming that players on both PlayStation platforms will receive dedicated, platform-specific versions of each game.
In terms of content, both ports will carry over the full package from the original PS3 releases. That means players can expect the complete single-player campaigns, the competitive multiplayer suites, and the fan-favorite cooperative Zombies mode — all intact and uncut. The Trophy lists themselves are reportedly identical to those from the PS3 originals, suggesting these are faithful, direct ports rather than remasters with expanded or altered content.
Activision has publicly stated a July release window for the ports, and the appearance of these Trophy lists on Sony's infrastructure strongly implies that a specific launch date announcement is imminent. Pricing has not been officially confirmed, though industry speculation points to $40 per game. Notably, that figure reportedly excludes any downloadable content, meaning fans who want map packs and additional Zombies chapters may need to spend further.
One potential upside for PlayStation owners: purchasing a title is expected to grant access to both the PS5 and PS4 versions under a single transaction. That means dedicated players can effectively pursue Trophies twice across two separate lists — a modest but appreciated perk for completionists and those who game across multiple PlayStation systems.
The bigger picture
The decision to ship native PS5 builds rather than leaning on backward compatibility is a meaningful one, even if the practical difference in performance might be minimal for these older titles. It signals that Activision is treating this revival as a genuine product launch rather than a quick cash-in through Sony's legacy support infrastructure. For a publisher that has faced persistent criticism over its handling of the Call of Duty catalog, that distinction matters — it suggests a degree of investment in the presentation of these releases, however modest.
The $40-per-game price point, if accurate, will be a flashpoint for community debate. These are direct ports of games that originally launched over a decade ago, and the absence of DLC at that price will likely frustrate longtime fans who remember paying for those content packs the first time around. Iron Galaxy is a capable studio, but the value proposition here hinges heavily on nostalgia rather than meaningful new additions. Activision will need to manage expectations carefully if it wants a warm reception at launch.
Looking further ahead, the success of these ports could influence how Activision — now under the Microsoft umbrella — approaches its wider back catalog. There are plenty of dormant Call of Duty entries and other Activision properties that could benefit from similar treatment. Whether this becomes a one-off nostalgia exercise or the opening move in a broader archival strategy is the question worth watching as the July window approaches.
We've been following the chatter around these Black Ops ports since Activision first floated the idea, and the Trophy list confirmation felt like the right moment to give the story the attention it deserves. At LagPing, we care about how legacy gaming is preserved and presented to new audiences — and whether publishers are doing right by the communities that built their franchises in the first place. The Black Ops series holds enormous cultural weight in the shooter genre, and a lot of our readers grew up on these games. We want to make sure they have clear, honest information about what they're getting and what it's likely to cost. The July timeline also makes this time-sensitive, and we think it's important to set context before the marketing push kicks into high gear.
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