If you were around in 2015, you probably remember the hype. It was a weird, transitionary time for gaming. Sony had just snatched the marketing rights for Call of Duty away from Microsoft, and they wanted everyone to know it. That's how we ended up with the PS4 Call of Duty edition consoles—specifically the neon-orange-on-black Black Ops III machine that looks like it belongs in a high-tech construction site. Honestly, looking back at it now, it’s a fascinating relic of the mid-2010s console wars.
Some people absolutely hated the design. They called it "tacky." Others? They saw it as the ultimate collector's piece. But beyond the aesthetics, there's a lot of practical stuff to talk about if you're trying to buy one today on the secondary market.
The Black Ops III Limited Edition: A Visual Gamble
Let’s talk about the big one. The 1TB Limited Edition Call of Duty: Black Ops III PS4. This wasn't just a standard matte black box with a sticker on it. Sony went all out. The chassis is a jet-black finish, but it’s covered in orange Roman numeral "III" logos and these weirdly aggressive orange highlights on the front.
It feels very 2015.
It came with a controller that honestly carries the whole aesthetic. It’s grey and orange with the "III" logo on the right grip. If you’re hunting for this on eBay or Mercari, be careful. The thumbsticks on these early-gen DualShock 4s were notorious for peeling. Finding a "mint" version of this specific controller is basically like finding a needle in a haystack. Most of them have been chewed up by a decade of frantic sliding and jumping in Black Ops III multiplayer.
The Hardware Inside Matters
Under the hood, this was one of the first times we saw a 1TB drive as standard. Remember, the launch PS4 only had 500GB. Back then, 1TB felt like an infinite amount of space. Today? You can barely fit Modern Warfare III and Warzone on there without deleting your entire library.
One thing people forget is that this was the CUH-1200 series model. That’s a huge deal. The launch PS4 (CUH-1000/1100) had those annoying touch-sensitive buttons that would randomly beep and eject discs in the middle of the night. The Black Ops III edition moved to physical buttons. It was quieter. It was more reliable. It didn't sound quite as much like a jet engine taking off, though "quiet" is a relative term when talking about any original PS4.
The World War II Slim: For the Minimalists
Then came 2017. Sledgehammer Games took the franchise back to its roots, and Sony followed up with the Call of Duty: WWII PS4 Slim. This was a completely different vibe.
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It was a green camouflage pattern.
Now, camo consoles are hit or miss. On one hand, it’s iconic. On the other hand, it looks a bit like something you’d find in a surplus store. But because it was the "Slim" model, it was much more power-efficient than the bulky Black Ops III machine. It also used the updated DualShock 4 with the light bar strip on the touchpad.
If you're looking for a daily driver to actually play games on, the WWII Slim is technically the "better" machine. It runs cooler. The WiFi chip is slightly better. It supports 5GHz WiFi, which the original Black Ops III model did not. If you've ever tried to download a 100GB CoD update on 2.4GHz WiFi, you know that’s a life-changing difference.
What Most People Get Wrong About These Bundles
A lot of sellers will try to tell you these are "ultra-rare" and worth $500.
They aren't.
Millions of these were made. They were the flagship holiday bundles. Unless the box is factory sealed and looks like it was kept in a vacuum chamber, don't overpay. A fair price for a used Black Ops III edition is usually only about 20% higher than a standard PS4. You’re paying for the orange paint, not a gold bar.
Another thing: the digital codes. If you're buying a used PS4 Call of Duty edition, the "included" game code has almost certainly been used. Or it's expired. Sony's digital codes usually have a shelf life of a few years. Don't expect to boot up a 2017 bundle and get a free copy of the game. You're buying the plastic, not the software.
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The Reliability Factor
Let's get real for a second. These consoles are getting old. The thermal paste inside a 2015 Black Ops III PS4 is probably as dry as a cracker by now. If you buy one, expect to hear the fan kick into high gear immediately.
I’ve seen dozens of these come through repair shops. The most common issues are:
- Hard Drive Failure: The original mechanical drives are reaching the end of their lifespan.
- HDMI Port Damage: Those early PS4 ports were notoriously flimsy.
- Dust Buildup: Because of the vents on the side, they are absolute dust magnets.
If you’re a collector, it’s worth opening it up (if the warranty seal is already broken) and giving it a deep clean. If you aren't comfortable doing that, maybe skip the original fat models and stick to the Slim.
Comparing the Editions at a Glance
If you want the flashy, "gamer" look, you go for the Black Ops III model. It’s loud. It’s proud. It’s 1TB. It’s the "OG" experience. It’s also the CUH-1200, which is the best version of the original hardware design.
If you want something that actually fits in a media center and won't overheat as easily, the WWII Slim is the winner. It's smaller. It’s more reliable. It has the camo. It’s the refined version of the PS4 era.
There were also some "soft" bundles—like the Infinite Warfare or Modern Warfare Remastered sets—but those were usually just standard consoles with a physical game disc tossed inside the box. They didn't have the custom shell designs. To a real collector, those aren't "true" special editions. They’re just boxes.
Why Does Anyone Still Care in 2026?
You might wonder why we're even talking about the PS4 when the PS5 has been out for years.
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Nostalgia is a hell of a drug.
The PS4 era was the peak of the "jetpack" vs. "boots on the ground" debate. Black Ops III is still widely considered one of the best Zombies experiences ever made. Having the console that matches that era is just cool. It’s a conversation starter. Plus, the PS4 library is massive and mostly playable on these machines with zero issues.
Also, some people just prefer the DualShock 4 over the DualSense. It's lighter. It feels "snappier" for some competitive players. Getting the limited edition orange-and-grey controller is a big flex in the CoD community, even if you’re using it on a PC.
How to Check if You're Getting a Real One
Because these are popular, people try to fake them. I’ve seen standard black PS4s with vinyl skins sold as "Limited Editions."
Always check the bottom of the console for the model number. For the Black Ops III edition, you're looking for CUH-1215B (for the US) or similar. The branding should be printed directly onto the plastic, not a sticker that can be peeled off. The "III" logos on the front should have a specific texture to them. If it looks flat or blurry, walk away.
Moving Forward With Your Purchase
If you've decided to pull the trigger on a PS4 Call of Duty edition, here is your checklist to make sure you don't get burned.
- Ask for a video of the console running. Specifically, ask to hear the fan noise while a game is loading. If it sounds like a vacuum cleaner, it needs maintenance.
- Check the controller's serial number. Often, people swap the limited edition controller for a cheap third-party one or a standard black one. The bundle loses most of its value without the original matching controller.
- Budget for an SSD. Seriously. Swapping the old mechanical hard drive for a cheap $50 SATA SSD will make a PS4 feel like a brand-new machine. It won't make the graphics better, but the menus won't lag, and you'll load into matches twice as fast.
- Verify the disc drive. Insert a Blu-ray movie or a game. The rollers in these drives often get dirty and stop pulling discs in. Fixing a disc drive is a massive pain compared to swapping a hard drive.
These consoles represent a specific slice of gaming history. They aren't just tools for playing games; they're trophies from a time when Call of Duty and PlayStation were inseparable. Whether you want the neon orange of Black Ops III or the rugged camo of WWII, just make sure you know what's under the hood before you hand over your cash.
Check the thermal paste, swap the drive, and you've got a piece of history that still plays 90% of the modern games people care about today.