Two classic military shooters from the PlayStation 3 generation have arrived on modern PlayStation hardware, but their execution has drawn measured criticism from technical analysts. The PlayStation 5 versions of Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 deliver functional ports that fall short of what the current console can achieve.
Modest Visual Upgrades Confirmed
Benchmarking experts at Digital Foundry report that both Activision titles are capped at a 1080p resolution and lack a 120Hz mode. When the release was first announced for July, the publisher explicitly avoided describing the projects as remakes or remasters. Digital Foundry argues that a relatively small additional investment could have pushed these straight ports toward 4K output and higher refresh rates, matching the standard set by other competing re-releases.
Other visual shortcomings remain unaddressed, including notably poor shadow quality. Still, the PS5 editions do claim a clear resolution advantage over their Xbox counterparts. The Xbox 360 versions, accessible through backward compatibility, top out at roughly 608p and retain their dated, dim presentation.
Platform Disparities and Ownership Questions
The performance gap has prompted speculation from Digital Foundry, which suggests that Microsoft’s ownership of Activision may have influenced the conservative PlayStation treatment, preventing Sony’s system from showcasing dramatically superior results. Minor incremental enhancements are present on PS5, but the situation remains unusual. As of this report, Activision has not provided a timeline for a native Xbox Series X|S edition of the two titles.
Playability and Price Concerns
Player feedback has surfaced regarding technical issues that affect the core experience. Some users report input lag that makes movement feel less responsive than on the original 2010 and 2012 releases. Despite an apparent migration to new servers, complaints of dropped connections and matchmaking difficulties persist in multiplayer sessions.
- Base price per game: $40 USD (does not include DLC)
- Active discount: 50% off for PlayStation Plus subscribers, along with a reduced Season Pass rate
- Promotion valid through: August 6
The $40 price point has become a focal point for frustrated fans, who characterize the limited 1080p/60Hz output and sparse quality-of-life enhancements as insufficient value. For those willing to overlook the technical ceiling, the temporary subscriber discount does ease the cost of entry, but the broader conversation around these re-releases continues to center on an opportunity not fully seized.
Sources: www.digitalfoundry.net, x.com