Black Ops 2 Still Ranks Among 2026’s Biggest US Games

Players deciding whether Black Ops 2’s return is more than a short-lived nostalgia rush have a clear signal: the 2012 shooter is still one of the biggest-selling games in the United States this year. Its modern PlayStation release has maintained enough momentum to remain in Circana’s top 10 well beyond its launch month.

What changed with Black Ops 2’s return

Activision brought the original Black Ops and Black Ops 2 to modern PlayStation hardware in July 2026. The releases were straightforward ports rather than extensive remasters, but they restored native PlayStation access to games that had not been available that way since the PS3 generation. Black Ops 2 made an immediate commercial impact, finishing July as the best-selling game in the US by dollar sales. That initial result put the title near the top of the annual rankings, but its continued position months later is the more notable development. The release has shown that an older Call of Duty can still compete directly with current blockbuster launches when it returns to an accessible platform.

Who should pay attention to the sales result

For returning players, the chart performance suggests that Black Ops 2 has found a substantial audience beyond a single launch-weekend burst. The game remains closely associated with a period many fans view as Call of Duty’s peak, thanks to its campaign choices and multiple endings, the Pick 10 multiplayer loadout system, and its Zombies offering. Maps including Mob of the Dead, Buried, and Origins remain major draws for the game’s long-term community. The re-release has not been free from criticism: some players have objected to its pricing, legacy DLC model, and the limits of a lightly updated port. Still, the sales data indicates many buyers were seeking the original experience rather than a rebuilt version.

What comes next for the Call of Duty charts

Circana’s latest year-to-date ranking places Black Ops 2 sixth in the United States through October 3, based on tracked physical and full-game digital dollar sales. Its digital figure is projected rather than directly reported, so the exact scale should be treated with some caution. It sits behind NBA 2K27, Resident Evil Requiem, 007 First Light, MLB The Show 26, and Crimson Desert, while ranking ahead of several newer releases. The next update could look very different. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launched on October 23 and was not included in this reporting period, making it a likely force in the next sales chart. Grand Theft Auto 6 is also expected to create unusually strong competition for the franchise.

What players should know

• Black Ops 2 was the top-selling US game by dollar sales in July after its modern PlayStation release.
• It remains sixth on Circana’s 2026 year-to-date US chart through October 3.
• The release is a port, not a major remaster, so players should expect the classic structure and its older DLC approach.
• Modern Warfare 4’s October launch may significantly alter Call of Duty’s position in upcoming sales reports.

Verified 2026 US sales position

Expert View

Black Ops 2’s staying power is a meaningful result, not merely a novelty, especially for a lightly updated 2012 release. Its ranking does not guarantee a permanent top-10 finish once major late-year games are counted, but it clearly demonstrates continued demand for classic Call of Duty experiences on current PlayStation hardware.