Recent ratings from the Australian classification board suggest that Modern Warfare 2 (2009) and Modern Warfare 3 (2011) could be making a comeback in 2025 as cross-gen editions for modern consoles. With rumors of Game Pass releases and potential remasters swirling, this unexpected leak has sparked fresh speculation about Activision’s plans to revive two of the franchise’s most iconic titles.
Classic Call of Duty titles set for possible revival on PS5 and more
The Call Of Duty cycle seems to be repeating itself in a big way. After Verdansk was brought back to Warzone, fans speculated something larger was happening behind the scenes. Now, that theory has legs. Recent leaks from the Australian classification board show Modern Warfare 2 and Modern Warfare 3 being rated for new cross-gen editions — sparking rumors of a full-scale return of the original classics.
The biggest clue? Both titles were rated MA15+ on April 3rd, 2025, and filed as cross-gen, pointing directly to PlayStation 5 and possibly other modern consoles. The community quickly picked up on a key detail in these listings: the use of Arabic numerals (“2” and “3”) instead of Roman numerals (“II” and “III”), which were used in the rebooted versions of the last few years.
That subtle difference strongly points toward these being the original 2009 and 2011 versions of Modern Warfare 2 and Modern Warfare 3.
Australian rating leak confirms 2025 production date
The Australian classification board rated both games as MA15+, and the production date listed is 2025 — which means these editions are on the release schedule for this year. That rating is typically applied just before public announcements or promotional material starts going out.
So far, only PlayStation 5 is mentioned specifically, and there’s no direct evidence from this leak that confirms these titles are coming to Xbox or PC. However, this doesn’t eliminate the possibility, especially considering Microsoft’s current ownership of Activision Blizzard.
Adding to the speculation, earlier this year, rumors had already circulated that Modern Warfare 2 and Modern Warfare 3 would be added to Game Pass between March and April. But now that April is here and these classification listings exist, it looks like the plan might be larger than just a simple Game Pass drop.
Not just for nostalgia — Activision may be planning a major revival
If Activision were simply adding these titles to Game Pass, it would be relatively straightforward: download and play the classics through subscription access. But listing these as cross-gen and pushing them to PlayStation strongly implies they are being re-released for sale.
This changes everything.
One possibility is that Activision is planning to clean up the original games by updating the servers, patching Anti-Cheat systems, and making them playable again. As it stands today, Modern Warfare 2 on Xbox 360 is nearly unplayable due to hackers and broken matchmaking. Many players report being thrown into modded lobbies, having their stats wiped, or being unable to find normal matches at all.
A re-release with server fixes and crossplay would essentially breathe new life into these iconic multiplayer experiences — without the need to fully remake them from scratch.
Learn more about Modern Warfare 2 and 3 cross-gen editions from Inkslasher on YouTube.
Game Pass, remasters, or something in between?
The situation is still unclear. If these are full-blown remasters, we could expect upgraded visuals, new maps, and maybe even added weapons. This was the case with Modern Warfare Remastered — a version of the 2007 original that launched with improved visuals, new features, and support for current platforms.
Some fans are even hoping for a remaster similar to community projects like H2M, which combined the campaign and multiplayer with extra maps and polished mechanics. However, the cost and development time for such projects is much higher.
What seems more likely is a modern port — the original game, brought back with minor improvements and server fixes. This would allow Activision to quickly repopulate the servers, add these classics to Game Pass, and re-sell them digitally on other platforms.
From a business standpoint, it’s a win-win: Game Pass subscriptions go up, while direct sales on PS5 and possibly Steam bring in additional revenue.
Campaign remasters may be coming too
Another strong theory involves Modern Warfare 3’s campaign remaster. Back in 2020, Activision dropped Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered just 20 days after Warzone launched. With the recent return of Warzone on April 3rd, 2025, some fans believe history may repeat itself, with a potential campaign remaster of MW3 landing around April 23rd.
This would fit perfectly with Activision’s historical patterns and also explain the recent classification filings. Reports dating back several years suggested that all three campaigns (MW1, MW2, MW3) were remastered internally, but only the first two were released. If MW3 was finished and held back, now could be the perfect time to launch it.
Multiplayer support and crossplay could make or break the launch
If Modern Warfare 2 and Modern Warfare 3 are indeed re-released, the biggest factor in their success will be online support. Players will want:
- Clean servers with strong anti-cheat
- Crossplay functionality across PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
- Matchmaking that works without modders or exploiters
Releasing these games without those updates would be pointless. But if Activision pulls this off, it could spark a major resurgence for legacy Call of Duty players — and maybe even bring younger players into the original peak era of the franchise.
The last time this happened, with Modern Warfare Remastered, the response was massive. People loved the nostalgia, the balance, and the tight gameplay that many believe newer entries have lost.
Look out for Xbox showcase in June
A potential reveal could come during the Xbox Games Showcase, which is confirmed for June 8, 2025. This event typically coincides with the yearly Call of Duty reveal, making it the ideal platform for Activision and Microsoft to show off the new editions or remasters.
Until then, we’re in a bit of limbo. But with official ratings already filed and April already underway, something is clearly coming.
For more updates and weekly Call of Duty news, check out the Weekly Reload at CODIntel.
FAQ about Modern Warfare 2 and 3 cross-gen editions
What are the Modern Warfare cross-gen editions?
They are potential re-releases of the original MW2 and MW3 for modern consoles.
Are these cross-gen editions remasters?
Not confirmed. They might be improved ports or full remasters, depending on Activision’s plan.
Will multiplayer be available in the new versions?
If re-released, multiplayer is expected, possibly with crossplay and updated anti-cheat.
When could the MW3 campaign remaster release?
Possibly April 23, 2025 — 20 days after the Warzone relaunch.
