Black Ops 1 and Black Ops 2 PS4/PS5 Ports: Price, Crossplay, and What Changed

Black Ops 1 and Black Ops 2 are now available as digital-only ports on PS4 and PS5, and players want to know what's different from the original PS3 releases. Each game costs $40, with a $30 season pass for the DLC, though PlayStation Plus subscribers get a launch discount that drops the total for both games and both season passes to $60. There is no crossplay between platforms, no FOV slider, and the frame rate is capped at 60 FPS. This guide covers pricing, matchmaking pools, removed features like theater mode, and small zombies changes so returning players and newcomers know exactly what they're buying into.

Pricing And Season Pass

What the base games and DLC actually cost

Buying both games at full price with both season passes comes to $140. PS Plus subscribers get a steep discount, paying $20 per game and $10 per season pass instead of $30, bringing the combined total down to $60. This pricing window is tied to launch, so PS Plus members benefit most by buying early. Budget-conscious players and anyone without an active subscription should weigh whether the DLC is worth it now, since owning it shifts matchmaking into a smaller player pool.

Crossplay And Matchmaking Pools

Why PS4 and PS5 players can't play together

There is no crossplay, and the DLC creates four separate matchmaking pools: PS4, PS4 with DLC, PS5, and PS5 with DLC. Buying the season pass narrows your pool further and can slow matchmaking, since you're no longer grouped with the full player base. One workaround exists: buying the PS5 version of a game also bundles the PS4 version, so installing that copy instead lets you play with the PS4 crowd. This only helps players who don't mind losing access to friends on the PS5 version—much like relying on Call of Duty Black Ops 2 Bot Lobbies to sidestep modern matchmaking entirely—so it's a niche option rather than a real fix.

The table shows the core tradeoff: buying DLC gets you extra content but shrinks the pool of players you can be matched with.

Performance And Graphics Limits

What was and wasn't improved

The ports max out at 60 FPS with no 120 FPS support and no FOV slider, and old PS3-era bugs and glitches are reportedly still present. Input lag has been a reported issue, particularly in Black Ops 1, and players have found that switching to performance mode, capping resolution at 1080p, and setting the save-data app setting to "game default" instead of "performance mode" can help. Using a monitor at an even multiple of 60 Hz (60, 120, or 144) rather than an odd refresh rate like 165 Hz is also reported to reduce delay. This matters most to competitive players sensitive to input timing.

Removed And Retained Features

Theater mode, live counts, and dedicated servers are gone

Theater mode, the live player count on the main menu, wager matches (Black Ops 1) and league play (Black Ops 2) have all been removed, along with their associated trophies. The games run peer-to-peer with no dedicated servers, though they use current PlayStation Network infrastructure rather than the old PS3 back end. Offline play is included, and the emblem editor survived in both games. Nostalgic players who valued theater mode or live counts should expect those to be gone for good, at least at launch.

Zombies And Content Tweaks

Small map and camo changes in Black Ops 2

Black Ops 2's later-game Ray Gun design and perk icons now appear on earlier maps like Transit, replacing the originals that longtime players remember. All previously paid microtransaction camos from Black Ops 2 are now included for free. Progression resets to level one even for players with old PS3 accounts. Returning zombies players will notice these visual shifts first, even though they don't affect gameplay mechanics.

How Much Do Black Ops 1 and Black Ops 2 Cost on PS4 and PS5?

Full price for both games and both season passes is $140. PS Plus subscribers get a launch discount, bringing that down to $60, with games at $20 each and season passes at $10 each, making this the best time for subscribers to buy.

Is There Crossplay Between PS4 and PS5 for Black Ops 1 and Black Ops 2?

No, crossplay is not supported, matching the original Black Ops 1 design. The closest workaround is installing the bundled PS4 version of a PS5 purchase to play with the PS4 community, though this cuts off play with PS5-only friends.

Should You Buy the Season Pass for Black Ops 1 and Black Ops 2?

It depends on your priority. The season pass unlocks all DLC content but places you in a narrower matchmaking pool with slower queue times, so players who value fast matches over extra content may want to hold off initially.

Quick Tips

· Buy during the PS Plus discount window to cut the combined price from $140 to $60.

· If input lag bothers you, try 1080p performance mode first, then switch to "game default" if that doesn't help.

· Use a 60, 120, or 144 Hz display instead of an odd refresh rate like 165 Hz.

· Install the bundled PS4 version if playing with PS4 friends matters more than PS5 performance.

· Consider delaying the season pass purchase if fast matchmaking matters more than extra content.

Who Benefits Most?

Budget Players: PS Plus subscribers save the most by buying both games and season passes during the discount window—an especially useful option for anyone weighing that cost against cheap BO2 Bot Lobbies. Returning Players: Longtime fans get clarity on what's gone (theater mode, live counts, dedicated servers) before jumping back in. Competitive Players: Input lag fixes and matchmaking pool details help players who care about performance and queue times make informed setup choices.

These ports keep the classic Black Ops 1 and Black Ops 2 experience largely intact while trimming a few nostalgic features and adding real cost considerations. Whether it's worth the price comes down to your platform, your interest in DLC, and how much crossplay and dedicated servers matter to your play style.