Black Ops Players Facing Matchmaking Issues on PS4 and PS5

The Disappointing Truth Behind Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 on PS4 and PS5

Exciting news for fans of Call of Duty: Black Ops and its sequel, Black Ops 2 – both games are now available on PS4 and PS5. However, a recent discovery has left many players feeling disappointed when trying to enjoy these classic titles on the newer consoles.

One major letdown is the lack of online cross-play for both Black Ops and Black Ops 2 on PS4 and PS5. This means that players on PS5 can only connect with others on the same platform, and the same goes for PS4 users. While this may not be a significant issue at launch, it could potentially impact lobby wait times in the future.

Although no official reason was provided for this limitation, it is speculated that Activision may be concerned about hackers infiltrating the older PS4 version, which has been a persistent issue on the PS3 versions in the past.

Adding to the frustration is the handling of DLC for these re-releases. Rather than including all post-launch map packs in the base games, Activision is offering the DLC as a separate purchase. This decision inadvertently narrows the matchmaking pool for players who opt for the DLC, as they will only be matched with others who have also purchased the additional content.

For a limited time, Black Ops, Black Ops 2, and their season passes are being sold at a discounted price on the PlayStation Store. Until August 6th, 2026, the base games are 50% off (£17.49 down from £34.99) and season passes are 67% off (£8.57 down from £24.99) for PlayStation Plus members.

While these re-releases have been successful in terms of sales, there is a debate about the value they offer as they are ports rather than remasters.