Every Main 'Call of Duty' Game, Ranked From Worst to Best

22.

Call of Duty: Vanguard

Release: November 5, 2021

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Developer: Sledgehammer Games

Metacritic Score: 73 (Critics), 3.6 (Users)

All of the games on this list will have two major factors taken into account: How good they were as a Call of Duty game, and their impact on the series. Although it had some decent gameplay, Vanguard encapsulates so much of what is wrong with the current era of COD: It doesn’t add anything worth keeping for future titles, the campaign was one of the worst in the series at the time, and Zombies was a rushed third mode. Multiplayer was the one redeeming quality, which also contained many problems; maps were poorly designed and littered with destructible walls or windows. Then you add a bloated attachments system, and the game is simply too much. Maps and loadouts can make or break a COD game. Vanguard failed at both.

21.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

Release: October 28, 2022

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Developer: Infinity Ward

Metacritic Score: 75 (Critics), 5.1 (Users)

Right after the unfortunate year of Vanguard, fans were given a game that was in the same realm of quality for the same reasons. Only this time, the game was much slower. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II is the sequel to the game that catapulted the franchise into a new era, and slow gameplay became the philosophy for Infinity Ward. Mobility, such as jump shots and slides, was heavily penalized, and Snaking, which is when players quickly move between prone to crouch behind cover, had no limitations. Mix that with the useless Dead Silence and busted Ghost perks, and camping was the name of the game. CODs are about map awareness and the ability to move with constant adrenaline. Modern Warfare II took those ideas and threw them out the window. At least the camo grind was one of the best in the series.

20.

Call of Duty: WWII

Release: November 3, 2017

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One

Developer: Sledgehammer Games

Metacritic Score: 79 (Critics), 5.2 (Users)

Sledgehammer Games attempted to bring the series back to its roots with this title. This came off the heels of jetpacks, and the franchise was finally headed back to World War II where it all started. Fans were hyped to get back to the COD they remembered. Then the game came out and didn’t deliver. The launch was a mess that included problems with servers and hit detection. Divisions for loadouts felt like a Battlefield feature, and weapons were widely imbalanced. Even the maps were poorly designed and Gustav Cannon was the cherry on top as one of the worst arenas in the franchise. War mode was the one saving grace for Multiplayer when the game dropped, and it was well-received as a new mode. After the initial launch, Sledgehammer Games cleaned up some of the post-launch content. But for a COD game, it was too little too late.

19.

Call of Duty 3

Release: November 7, 2006

Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii

Developer: Treyarch

Metacritic Score: 82 (Critics), 6.6 (Users)

This is by far Treyarch’s worst COD and that says a lot about the famed California-based studio. Nothing is inherently horrible about the third installment in the series. It had a serviceable campaign that added the Canadians and the Polish to the main story. Compared to the first two games, though, it didn’t change much in the formula aside from missions with more freedom. Call of Duty 3 served more as a practice run for Treyarch that would lead to something special instead of something legendary. In a franchise full of incredible highs and abysmal lows, the third main title is simply forgettable. And that’s fine.

18.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Release: October 25, 2019

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One

Developer: Infinity Ward

Metacritic: 80 (Critics), 3.7 (Users)

The Modern Warfare reboot was a massive turning point for the series, regardless of the ranking. It would bring a resurgence in players that the series hadn’t experienced for years, at the cost of irreparable harm to the Multiplayer modes. The gameplay was far more grounded, the engine was upgraded, the campaign missions were thrilling to play, and this was even the game that introduced Warzone. Unfortunately, it was all for the worse. With a more grounded take on gameplay came the addition of rat players who loved hiding in corners with no downsides. Remember Dead Silence? It was nerfed. How about Ghost? It got buffed. Even the maps were entirely designed for random kills. To make matters worse, Prestige Mode was removed and the camo grind was one of the most punishing in the franchise. MW 2019 led to worse games down the road.

17.

Call of Duty: Ghosts

Release: November 5, 2013

Platforms: PlayStation 3, Wii U, Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Developer: Infinity Ward

Metacritic Score: 78 (Critics), 4.3 (Users)

Golden Age COD ended when Ghosts officially launched. For the first time in the series, quality was noticeably worse after Infinity Ward began to move in a philosophical direction that would impact future games as well. Maps were massive in many cases, and the three-lane design was tossed out the window. If those maps looked good, at least players could enjoy the scenery, but the color palette was meant to be gritty and everything looked kind of ugly because of it. While players were running around the giant washed-out maps, the fast time-to-kill would get them at long ranges. Gone were the days of adrenaline-fueled routes on predictable map designs that forced different styles of fights. Instead, we really got the epitome of run-and-gun gameplay here, which is when the series is at its worst.

16.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

Release: November 4, 2016

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One

Developer: Infinity Ward

Metacritic Score: 77 (Critics), 4.3 (Users)

Out of all the games on the list, Infinite Warfare is more a product of its release than anything else. There are plenty of criticisms to point out about the Multiplayer specifically, such as Rigs that were cheap versions of Specialists and jetpacks that lacked fluidity. However, the game was doomed from the start. When the trailer was released on YouTube, it became the most disliked gaming video of all time. Simply put, fans were sick of jetpack CODs in a futuristic setting. Even with a well-made campaign and a Zombies mode that was well-received, the Multiplayer couldn’t boost to the heights of Black Ops 3.

Combat Rigs weren’t as fun as the Specialists from Black Ops 3, and movement didn’t feel as tight and responsive. Even if fans were ready for another futuristic jetpack title, Infinite Warfare was certainly the worst of the three, and there is a reason it has that kind of reputation.

15.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

Release: November 4, 2014

Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One

Developer: Sledgehammer Games

Metacritic Score: 81 (Critics), 5.7 (Users)

Like Infinite Warfare, this game was facing an uphill battle from the start. Ghosts left a sour taste behind in the previous year, then jetpacks were introduced. But players who could look past the initial hate found an experience that was pretty good. Gameplay was snappy, rewarding players who were able to use the new exo movement to its full capacity. Maps were more vertical, and modes like Uplink bolstered this new design with incredibly exciting competitive matches. Plus, the campaign that went along with this new Multiplayer was Call of Duty adrenaline at its finest. Some movement skills, weak Supply Drops, and a handful of underwhelming maps did drag the thrill of the experience down a bit, though. Despite the mixed rating it received, Advanced Warfare did play better than some of the other CODs we’ve mentioned thus far. That’s a W.

14.

Call of Duty

Release: October 29, 2003

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, N-Gage, PlayStation 2, Xbox

Developer: Infinity Ward

Metacritic Score: 91 (Critics), 8.3 (Users)

Though it may not be a giant, the original Call of Duty set the stage for what would become one of the most iconic gaming franchises of all time. Infinity Ward pushed players through a gritty World War II epic that spanned across three different factions. The campaign was all about trudging through the trenches with an AI squad at your side and plenty of action ahead. (Future campaigns would follow the same design for years, only the explosions always got bigger.) Along with the campaign, the Multiplayer was well-received and brought the arcade style to the table. The only difference is the lack of create-a-class. Call of Duty laid the foundation of the series as its first iteration. But it’s not the COD that most gamers recognize now.

13.

Call of Duty 2

Release: October 25, 2005

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, Mobile, Mac OS X

Developer: Infinity Ward

Metacritic Score: 89 (Critics), 8.2 (Users)

Call of Duty 2 is just like its predecessor, only bigger and better. That idea of being a random soldier stuck in the middle of numerous World War II campaigns remained. Set pieces in each mission were more epic in scale, and the gameplay was improved. At the time, the game looked visually stunning. Most other features were similar to the previous game, aside from regenerating health, which has become a normal part of the series since. All in all, Call of Duty 2 has one of the best World War II campaigns in a first-person shooter and only one other game in the franchise would go on to meet the same quality.

12.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

Release: November 10, 2023

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Developer: Sledgehammer Games

Metacritic Score: 56 (Critics), 2.2 (Users)

Modern Warfare III was facing plenty of heat before it was ever released. This was the first COD that would transfer all of the content from the previous game. Rumors were swirling early on in 2023 that Modern Warfare II would be a two-year game with a major DLC drop. That DLC became a full-priced game that was built on the same foundation. Some players looked at this like a rip-off that wasn’t worth buying because it was a glorified DLC. The early access campaign was only a few hours long and an entire list of remastered maps didn’t help that sentiment. Despite all the flaws, the Multiplayer experience for Modern Warfare III ended up being enjoyable because of the movement alone. Players who gave the Multiplayer a chance were rewarded with one of the better titles outside of the top 10.

11.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Release: November 13, 2020

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Developer: Treyarch

Metacritic Score: 76 (Critics), 5.4 (Users)

As a complete package, Black Ops Cold War is the best game from the Warzone era. Of course, it happens to be the most like classic COD games and wasn’t yet moved to the new engine introduced in 2019. After a year in which Infinity Ward catered to slow gameplay, the infinite sprint and classic perks found in Cold War were a welcome return. The campaign was average, but Zombies was the best third mode in the current era. What held the game back was fatigue, poor weapon balance, and maps that were decent at best. Some were far too big to make room for the new large-scale modes while others maintained an awkward flow on three-lane maps. Eight maps was a laughably low launch number that was only exacerbated by the skill-based matchmaking system, which quickly became obvious in the new era.

10.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

Release: October 12, 2018

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One

Developers: Treyarch

Metacritic Score: 83 (Critics), 4.2 (Users)

Black Ops 4 brought the end of an era to Call of Duty. It marked the final game between the Warzone era and the Golden Age of COD that had a distinct engine for so long. The game brought Specialists back over from Black Ops 3, only this time they were boots on the ground. Health regeneration was dictated by stims, and ballistics were introduced to many of the weapons. All of this was an attempt to set up the first iteration of a battle royale, known as Blackout. Despite not having any campaign whatsoever, the Multiplayer component of the game was well-made. Guns felt impactful, Specialists were implemented the right way, and maps were competitive. Many players remember BO4 as the game with no campaign that was the final nail. But the Multiplayer alone places this among the better CODs.

9.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Release: October 25, 2024

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Developers: Treyarch

Metacritic Score: 83 (Critics), 7.1 (Users)

Treyarch had four years to cook with Black Ops 6, and the extra time was well worth it. There is no doubt that BLOPS 6 is one of the best Call of Duty games since Black Ops 3, and that is owed to the classic approach to the content. The campaign was fantastic, the classic prestige levels made a return, and Zombies launched with two great maps. Sure, some of the Multiplayer maps had weak designs, like Scud or Red Card, because they appeared to be made for a Warzone-like structure. However, the omni-movement gameplay was arcade COD at its best, and players got to follow one of the more satisfying camo grinds while they were at it. The Golden Age titles may be out of reach for BLOPS 6, but the game held its own.

8.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Release: November 8, 2011

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii

Developers: Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games

Metacritic Score: 88 (Critics), 3.7 (Users)

Back in 2011, Modern Warfare 3 was called a worse version of MW2. The game felt familiar in so many ways while also losing much of the identity that made the predecessor so successful. Compared to what would follow, Modern Warfare 3 was a stellar game that had an incredibly fun Multiplayer and a monumental campaign that closed the chapter for Captain Price against Makarov in World War 3. To this day, COD has not been able to recreate a trilogy that matches the original Modern Warfare games as far as campaigns and characters go. It's clear that Modern Warfare 3 was a great COD title. It simply lacked the fun factor, the style, and the iconic maps from the previous game.

7.

Call of Duty: World at War

Release: November 11, 2008

Platforms: PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360, Wii

Developer: Treyarch

Metacritic Score: 84 (Critics), 7.9 (Users)

World at War is the best World War II game in the series, period. Other games focused on the heroics, brotherhood, and grand scale of World War II. Treyarch went a different route and used a style that was haunting and dark to great success. The main menu theme was uniquely eerie and the campaign didn’t shy away from the horrors on all fronts. After all, this was the game that introduced us to the iconic Zombies mode. World at War was simply ahead of its time and it was able to build off of what Modern Warfare introduced the year before. So many ideas introduced with this title remain to this day. Multiplayer feels dated at this point, but the maps, Zombies, and the gritty campaign still hold up.

6.

Call of Duty: Warzone

Release: March 10, 2020 (1.0); November 16, 2022 (2.0)

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Developers: Raven Software and Infinity Ward

Metacritic: 79 (Critics), 3.9 (Users)

Although Warzone is not one of the yearly releases for the COD franchise, it’s impossible to ignore. Regardless of whether players love battle royale or hate what it’s done to Multiplayer, there is no denying that it’s had a lasting impact on the series. Modern Warfare 2019 was popular enough when it was released, but it was the launch of the initial Warzone that skyrocketed the series yet again during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, Warzone has been integrated with every new mainline Call of Duty; they have cross-progression levels, some shared weapons, and familiar characters. Fans who love the battle royale genre mixed with classic arcade FPS found a new home in this game. However, many fans of the series overall began to resent the mode over time as it changed Multiplayer for the worse. Now Resurgence is the main mode for Warzone, which separates it from other games in the genre and leaves more room for Multiplayer.

5.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 3

Release: November 6, 2015

Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One, macOS

Developer: Treyarch

Metacritic Score: 81 (Critics), 5.3 (Users)

Somehow, a jetpack-era game snuck into the rankings with all the Golden Age titles. That’s because it’s one of the best Multiplayer iterations of Call of Duty ever. Almost every aspect of the game was perfect for competitive play in a fun environment. Jetpack movement was tuned to feel just right. Unlike Advanced Warfare, the maps were much better for jetpack gameplay and most of them were a blast to play on. Specialists were added for the first time, which brought UItimate-like skills to the arena. So many of the guns were balanced—even though the M8 was always there as a crutch. Out of all the games in the franchise, Black Ops 3 may be the closest to perfecting the moment-to-moment gameplay that makes COD compulsive. The accolades, killstreaks, sound design, movement— everything was here, and it remains the only jetpack game that much of the casual or competitive community can agree was genuinely great

4.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Release: November 5, 2007

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Mac OS X, Wii

Developer: Infinity Ward

Metacritic Score: 94 (Critics), 8.5 (Users)

The Golden Age of Call of Duty started with the original Modern Warfare. The shift from the third game to COD 4 was astronomical, and so much of the DNA of the series begins here. Features such as killstreaks, gold camos, and the create-a-class system were introduced. Create-a-class alone was revolutionary, and it’s what truly separates COD from the competition to this day. Players were able to take a weapon, rank it up, then choose new attachments or camos. Perks could be added along with sidearms and lethal equipment. The gameplay loop for Multiplayer was an instant hit. Of course, having fun, modern weapons that could be used on iconic maps like Shipment or Crash only made the experience better. COD4 was solid.

3.

Call of Duty: Black Ops

Release: November 9, 2010

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360, OS X

Developer: Treyarch

Metacritic Score: 87 (Critics), 7.0 (Users)

World at War may have been the first massive hit for Treyarch, but Black Ops would set the stage for a series that has six different mainline titles. It introduced Nuketown, the storyline with Woods, and iconic Zombies maps like Kino der Toten and Five. Then there’s the multiplayer as a whole. For the first time, players could dolphin dive at will. Maps like Firing Range and Launch were just a couple of names within the long list of quality arenas. Wager matches and Gun Game brought some fun modes to the table outside of the usual offerings. Even the customization introduced face paints and emblem editing. When Black Ops was released, it was easily the best game in the series at that point in terms of content and gameplay. There is a reason so many players have a soft spot for it.

2.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2

Release: November 18, 2012

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U

Developer: Treyarch

Metacritic Score: 83 (Critics), 5.8 (Users)

Black Ops 2 is considered the best game from the Treyarch team by a wide margin. Multiplayer had the best balance of competitive play we’ve seen in the series. The Pick 10 system completely changed the game for how create-a-class works. Players had more choices than ever, but they also had to make sacrifices. Weapons felt great to use at any stage, the mastery camo grind gave us Diamond for the first time, and there was a perfect amount of attachments to experiment with. But more importantly, Black Ops 2 had the best list of maps ever conceived: Hijacked, Standoff, Raid, Slums, and many more. The worst maps in the game were better than some of the best maps in the Warzone era. They were perfect for League Play, which brought what many players consider to be among the best Ranked Play systems in the series. It’s the competitive side and the balance in BO2 that previous titles lacked. And we can’t forget maps like Mob of the Dead or Die Rise for the Zombies mode. Without a doubt, Black Ops 2 has earned its spot as one of the two best Call of Duty games.

1.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Release: November 10, 2009

Platforms: PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360, OS X, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Developer: Infinity Ward

Metacritic Score: 94 (Critics), 7.8 (Users)

Modern Warfare 2 took what made the first game so wildly successful and enhanced all those features. In essence, this is the quintessential Call of Duty that all fans can agree was incredible. Weapons were fun to use, the perk system was engaging, and the create-a-class sandbox allowed for some wild combinations. While maybe one of the more unbalanced games in COD history, which made it frustrating to play at times, Modern Warfare 2 also had the fun factor that only MW2 was able to produce. Whether it was Ninja builds, noob tubes, or killstreaks, the chaos never stopped. Almost all weapons were viable, and the killstreaks counted toward higher killstreaks. Then you add the Intervention and the quick-scoping community to the mix, and iconic memories were made.

Aside from the Multiplayer, the campaign was phenomenal. No Russian was an absolute shock when it appeared, along with the betrayals of Ghost and TF141. Nearly everything in Modern Warfare 2 was high quality and prioritized fun over anything else. It was a perfect combo of gameplay in that era that will be hard to ever replicate again.