Black Ops Legacy: 14-Year-Old Ports Dominate US Sales Charts, Leaving Competitors in the Dust

Hold onto your controllers, folks! The gaming world just witnessed a phenomenon that’s rewriting the rulebook. Activision’s surprise releases of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and its predecessor, Black Ops, have not only stormed the US sales charts but have also left industry analysts scratching their heads in disbelief. These aren’t your typical remasters or reboots; we’re talking about faithful ports of games that are over a decade old.

A Blast from the Past: The Black Ops Revival

According to the latest sales report from Circana, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 for PS4 and PS5 became the best-selling game in the US during July. The original Black Ops secured a respectable No. 5 spot. These surprise releases, priced at $40 (with a special $20 price tag for PlayStation Plus subscribers until August 6th), offered players a chance to relive the iconic campaigns and multiplayer experiences that defined a generation of gaming. While not boasting significant technical upgrades, the decision to preserve the original feel resonated deeply with fans who craved an authentic throwback.

For years, PlayStation owners were stuck with either dusting off their old PS3s or simply missing out on these classic Call of Duty titles. The lack of backward compatibility on the PS4 and PS5 created a significant void that Activision has now filled, albeit in a rather unexpected way. Industry analyst Rhys Elliott highlighted the pent-up demand as a major driver of this success. The fact that Activision spent virtually nothing on marketing or ongoing development only amplifies the impressive financial results.

Generating over $430 million in revenue, the Black Ops ports have proven to be an incredibly lucrative venture for Microsoft and Activision.

While Microsoft and Activision are undoubtedly celebrating this victory, Sony also benefits significantly. With a 30% cut of the generated revenue, Sony effectively made around $130 million “for doing basically nothing” beyond hosting the games on their digital storefronts. It’s safe to assume that sales figures have continued to climb since Elliott’s initial report in early August, further enriching all parties involved.

Interestingly, EA Sports College Football 27, which secured the No. 2 spot based on dollar sales, would have claimed the top position had its sales been combined with those of the EA Sports MVP Bundle (which includes CFB 27 and Madden 27). This highlights the overall strength of sports titles in the current market.

Below is a snapshot of the top 10 best-selling games in the US during July 2026, encompassing both physical and estimated digital sales. It’s a list that showcases not only the enduring appeal of classic franchises but also the power of nostalgia in the gaming industry.

July 2026 Best-Selling Games in the US:

1. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
2. EA Sports College Football 27
3. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced
4. EA Sports MVP Bundle
5. Call of Duty: Black Ops
6. Halo: Campaign Evolved
7. Splatoon Raiders
8. Echoes of Aincrad: Sword Art Online
9. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream
10. 007 First Light

The pent-up demand for these classic titles, combined with a minimal investment from Activision, has resulted in an unprecedented financial success.