New PlayStation ports of the classic Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 titles have launched, but a significant price difference compared to their Xbox counterparts has ignited frustration among gamers. While the PlayStation versions are available at a reduced price for PS Plus members, the Xbox editions remain at their original cost, a situation that has drawn particular ire given Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Activision.

PlayStation Ports Arrive with Pricing Anomaly

Developer Treyarch confirmed last month that ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 would be released for PlayStation consoles in July. These versions are now available on both PlayStation 4 and 5, encompassing the full single-player campaigns, multiplayer modes, and the popular Zombies experiences. However, it’s important to note that these ports do not include any previously released downloadable content (DLC), which is typically locked behind separate season passes. Furthermore, there are no graphical enhancements or modernizations, meaning players are essentially experiencing the games as they were in 2010 and 2012.

Pricing Details and PS Plus Discounts

The standard pricing on the PlayStation Store lists each game at £34.99. For those wishing to access all the additional content, each season pass costs an additional £25.99. Consequently, purchasing both games along with all their DLC would amount to a substantial £121.96.

To mitigate these costs, PlayStation Plus members can currently take advantage of a significant 50% discount on both base games. This promotion, valid until August 6, reduces the price of each title to £17.49. Additionally, PS Plus subscribers can acquire each season pass at a 67% discount, bringing the cost down to £8.57 per pass.

Xbox Versions and Microsoft’s Acquisition

The original, non-discounted prices for the PlayStation ports align with the existing costs for the Xbox versions of Black Ops 1 and 2. These titles have been accessible on Xbox Series X/S for some time through the console’s backward compatibility feature. The current disparity arises because the special PS Plus discounts have not been mirrored on the Xbox store.

This situation is particularly galling for some fans, especially considering that Microsoft, the owner of Xbox, recently completed its acquisition of Activision. Many expected that post-acquisition, there might be more unified or favorable pricing strategies across platforms, or at least a more consistent approach to sales and discounts.

Fan Reactions to the Pricing

The pricing structure, even with the PS Plus discounts, has generated considerable backlash from the gaming community. Many players have taken to social media platforms to express their dissatisfaction.

• One widely shared sentiment highlights the absurdity of charging premium prices for games that are nearly two decades old, especially without any remastering or graphical updates.
• Comments such as “Doing this for games that are almost 20 years old is crazy but not surprising given the fandom” and “$40 for 15 year old ports is diabolical” have circulated widely.
• Frustration is also directed at the decision to exclude DLC from the base price, forcing players to purchase season passes separately for older content. “Not only is the base price $40 off sale, IT DOESN’T EVEN INCLUDE THE DLC!?” one user exclaimed, questioning the necessity of buying additional content for a 14-year-old game port.

The lack of DLC inclusion and the perceived high cost, even with discounts, have led to accusations of the ports being a “RIP OFF” by some disgruntled players.

Future Releases and Platform Availability

For those hoping for a Nintendo Switch version of these Black Ops ports, expectations have been tempered. Reports indicate that a Switch release is not currently planned. However, the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is slated for release on the Nintendo Switch 2 on October 23, 2026, simultaneously with its launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Conclusion

The release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 ports on PlayStation has been overshadowed by a significant price discrepancy compared to Xbox. While PS Plus members benefit from substantial discounts, the original pricing and the exclusion of DLC have drawn sharp criticism from fans who feel the cost is unjustified for older, un-remastered titles. The situation raises questions about pricing strategies across platforms, particularly in light of Microsoft’s ownership of Activision, and highlights the enduring passion and scrutiny from the dedicated Call of Duty fanbase.