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Yes. The PS4/PS5 versions of Call of Duty: Black Ops (Black Ops 1) and Black Ops II support online multiplayer, two-player local split-screen, and multiplayer between PS4 and PS5 players. They do not support cross-platform matchmaking with Xbox, PC, or other non-PlayStation systems. Online play requires PlayStation Plus and an Activision account.
Quick answer: what works on PS5
Both games are available as PS4/PS5 releases on PlayStation, with the listings showing a July 9, 2026 release date. Each port includes the original Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies modes. If you and a friend own PlayStation consoles, the compatibility is straightforward:
| Feature | Black Ops 1 on PS5 | Black Ops II on PS5 |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 availability | PS4/PS5 listing; July 9, 2026 release date | PS4/PS5 listing; July 9, 2026 release date |
| PS4-to-PS5 multiplayer | Supported | Supported |
| Play with Xbox or PC | Not supported | Not supported |
| Local split-screen | Two-player local play is supported; the listing shows 1–2 players | Two-player local play is supported; the listing shows 1–2 players |
| Online multiplayer | Requires PlayStation Plus; up to 18 online players with Plus | Requires PlayStation Plus; up to 18 online players with Plus |
| Included modes | Campaign, Multiplayer, Zombies | Campaign, Multiplayer, Zombies |
| DLC and season pass | Sold separately; availability can vary by region | Sold separately; availability can vary by region |
The important distinction is that “cross-play” here means cross-generation PlayStation play: a PS4 owner can join a PS5 owner. It does not mean that a PlayStation player can enter the same matchmaking pool as someone on Xbox or Windows PC.
What cross-play means for a PS4 friend
PS4 and PS5 can play together
PlayStation describes both ports as supporting cross-generation Multiplayer between PS4 and PS5 players. Therefore, you can buy and play the PS5 version while a friend uses the PS4 version, provided both accounts are using the same game ecosystem and the online service is available for their region.
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- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
- Built-in microphone and headset jack - Chat with friends online using the built-in microphone or by connecting a headset to the 3.5mm jack. Easily switch voice capture on and off at a moment’s notice with the dedicated mute button. Internet and account for PlayStation Network required.
- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
You do not need everyone to own a PS5. The PS4/PS5 product listing is the relevant purchase, and the generation difference itself is not a matchmaking barrier.
Xbox and PC matchmaking is excluded
PlayStation’s product information explicitly excludes cross-platform Multiplayer with other non-PlayStation platforms. An Xbox or PC player cannot join a lobby hosted on the PS4/PS5 versions, and changing console generations does not remove that platform boundary. Plan a group around PlayStation hardware rather than assuming modern Call of Duty-style universal cross-play.
Do not confuse cross-generation play with cross-save
The confirmed feature is multiplayer compatibility between PS4 and PS5. It does not, by itself, establish cross-save progression, shared achievements, or transfer of every setting between platforms. Treat those as separate features unless the game or account-support documentation specifically confirms them.
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Is split-screen available on PS5?
Two people can play locally
Both PlayStation listings show support for 1–2 players, which covers two-player local play on one PS5. Activision’s Black Ops information also describes Combat Training as playable with friends “online and split-screen.” The Black Ops II manual describes Multiplayer as playable “online and locally.” Together, those mode descriptions support local split-screen multiplayer on the PS5 ports.
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- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
A second compatible controller is required. The PS5 listing specifies a vibration function, so a DualSense Wireless Controller is the natural type of controller for the console, although you should confirm compatibility for any third-party pad before buying it.
Mode limits can differ
The 1–2-player figure is the console listing’s overall local-player information; it should not be read as a promise that every mode has identical rules. Menus, playlists, and Zombies options can impose their own limits. Black Ops II’s manual labels Zombies as “1–8 PLAYERS,” but that figure describes the mode’s player capacity, not necessarily eight people sharing one-screen split-screen on a single PS5. Check the in-game mode screen when you create a local lobby.
Typical local setup
- Connect and sign in the first controller, then launch the game from the PS5 home screen.
- Turn on the second controller and assign it to another PlayStation user or a guest profile when prompted.
- Open Multiplayer and choose the local, split-screen, or Combat Training option shown by that game.
- Have the second player press the on-screen join button. Select a local map or playlist and start the match.
Menu wording can differ between Black Ops 1 and Black Ops II, so use the local-play option rather than an online matchmaking tile. A PlayStation Plus subscription is not needed for a purely local match, but it is required if either player connects to online services.
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PlayStation Plus is mandatory
Both official product listings state that online Multiplayer requires a PlayStation Plus subscription, sold separately. The same listings state support for up to 18 online players with PlayStation Plus. That is the published online capacity for the ports; an individual playlist, private match, or Zombies session may support fewer players.
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- Wireless Controller: The controller connects wirelessly via Bluetooth for convenience.
- DualSense Technology: Features advanced haptic feedback and adaptive trigger buttons for immersive gaming.
- Gray Camouflage Design: Stylish and unique design with a gray camouflage pattern.
- 17 Buttons: Includes 12 main buttons and 5 customizable buttons for versatile gameplay.
- PlayStation 5 Compatible: Works with all PlayStation 5 games and accessories.
Without Plus, you can still use the Campaign and local features that do not contact online services, but you cannot enter the games’ online Multiplayer service. A Plus subscription is attached to the PlayStation account using the service, so verify which account owns the subscription when troubleshooting a family console.
An Activision account is also required
The ports require an Activision account in addition to a PlayStation Network account. During the first online sign-in, follow the prompts to create or link the account. Use the same Activision login on the account that hosts or joins the session; an incorrect link can make invitations appear to fail even when Plus is active.
Joining a PS4 friend
- Confirm that both players have installed the same game and its current updates.
- Sign in to PlayStation Network and verify that the account attempting online play has PlayStation Plus.
- Complete the Activision account sign-in on each console.
- From the game’s Multiplayer menu, open the friends or social list and select the PS4 friend’s profile.
- Send or accept the game invitation, then choose a public or private lobby.
If an invitation does not appear, both players should restart the game after completing account linking and check that privacy settings allow game invitations. Do not expect an Xbox or PC friend to appear as an eligible cross-platform participant.
What is included in each PS5 port?
Campaign
Treyarch’s announcement for the ports says both games include Campaign. The single-player story does not require an online subscription, although downloading updates or additional content still requires an internet connection and a PlayStation Network account.
Rank #4
- Enjoy precise, comfortable control over 10,000+ supported Steam games.
- Easily pair the controller directly to your Windows PC via Bluetooth or play as you charge with the included USB Type-C cable
- Stay paired with up to four different Bluetooth devices, making it easy to enjoy the controller across Windows PC, Mac, PS5 consoles and smartphones. Discover more connection tips and tricks at playstation.com/pair-dualsense
- Access the latest available controller firmware directly from your PC with the free-todownload PlayStation Accessories app
- Play games streamed from your PS5 or PS4 console to your PC via the PS Remote Play App
Multiplayer
Both ports include the original Multiplayer component, with online and local options. Online sessions use the PlayStation Plus requirement and the published capacity of up to 18 players. Local sessions use the two-player listing and split-screen support described above.
Zombies
Zombies is included in both ports. The Black Ops II manual identifies Zombies as a 1–8-player mode. That number is a mode capacity, not a guarantee that eight players can share one PS5 screen; local and online limits can be different. Select Zombies from the game menu to see the available local or online configuration for the session you are creating.
Black Ops 1 versus Black Ops II on PS5
For the compatibility questions in this article, the two releases are effectively aligned. The following table separates the confirmed common features from details that still require an in-game check.
| Question | Black Ops 1 | Black Ops II |
|---|---|---|
| Can a PS5 player join a PS4 player? | Yes, cross-generation Multiplayer is supported. | Yes, cross-generation Multiplayer is supported. |
| Can a PS5 player join Xbox or PC? | No; non-PlayStation cross-platform Multiplayer is not supported. | No; non-PlayStation cross-platform Multiplayer is not supported. |
| Is two-player split-screen available? | Yes; the listing shows 1–2 players, and Combat Training is documented as online and split-screen. | Yes; the listing shows 1–2 players, and the manual documents Multiplayer as online and local. |
| Is Plus required for online play? | Yes; up to 18 online players with Plus. | Yes; up to 18 online players with Plus. |
| Are Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies included? | Yes. | Yes. |
| Are expansions included automatically? | No. DLC and season-pass content are sold separately. | No. DLC and season-pass content are sold separately. |
Choose between the games based on which campaign, maps, or Zombies experience your group wants; the PS4/PS5 multiplayer compatibility rules do not favor one title over the other.
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- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*
- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online through the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button
- A gaming icon in your hands - Enjoy a comfortable, evolved design with an iconic layout and enhanced sticks. Hear higher-fidelity** sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games
- Multi-device connectivity - Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range of blockbuster PC titles.
DLC, season passes, and regional caveats
Base game does not mean every add-on
The ports include the three core modes, but DLC and season-pass content are sold separately. Do not assume that buying the base PS5 listing unlocks every post-launch map pack or Zombies expansion. If a group wants to play DLC maps together, every participating account may need the same add-on, depending on how the store license is applied.
Prices and availability can change
Store prices, promotions, bundles, and DLC availability are time- and region-sensitive. PlayStation also warns that content, features, services, and online play can vary by region and may change or terminate. Check the store page for your own country before purchase, especially if you are buying an older season pass or an add-on that may have separate regional editions.
Troubleshooting common PS5 problems
The PS4 friend cannot join
- Confirm that both players selected the same game, not one Black Ops title against the other.
- Install pending game and system updates on both consoles.
- Check that the online player has an active PlayStation Plus subscription.
- Complete Activision account linking on both accounts and restart the game.
- Review PlayStation privacy, parental-control, and communication settings that can block invitations.
The second controller will not join split-screen
- Pair the controller with the PS5 and assign it to a separate user or guest.
- Enter the local or split-screen Multiplayer option rather than online matchmaking.
- Press the join prompt shown on the second controller after the mode menu loads.
- Disconnect extra controllers temporarily if the game is assigning the wrong device to player two.
An Xbox or PC friend is missing from the list
This is expected, not a connection fault. These ports do not support cross-platform Multiplayer with non-PlayStation systems. The supported remote combination is PS4 with PS5.
Online play worked and then stopped
Check the PlayStation service status, the Plus account’s subscription state, and the game’s sign-in status. Service availability can vary by region and can change over time. If the service is operating normally, sign out and back in to the PlayStation and Activision accounts, then restart the console and router.
Which version should a PlayStation group buy?
Buy the PS4/PS5 listing if your group is on PlayStation and wants PS4-to-PS5 play together. A PS5 owner receives the PS5-compatible release, while a friend who has not upgraded can use the PS4 version. Budget separately for PlayStation Plus for each account that needs online Multiplayer, and for a second controller if you plan to use local split-screen.
Do not buy either port expecting Xbox or PC matchmaking. If that cross-platform requirement is non-negotiable, these releases are not suitable for the group. For a purely local two-person session, the game, PS5, display, and two compatible controllers are the essential equipment; Plus is only part of the setup when the session goes online.
Bottom line
On PS5, both Black Ops 1 and Black Ops II provide online Multiplayer, two-player local split-screen, Campaign, and Zombies. PS4 owners can play with PS5 owners, but Xbox and PC players cannot join. Online Multiplayer requires PlayStation Plus and an Activision account, while DLC and season passes remain separate purchases.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
