When you hear of first-person shooter games, what immediately comes to mind? Halo, Counter-Strike, and Doom fans may have something to say, but let's admit—few franchises have left as indelible a mark as Call of Duty. Looking at Call of Duty games ranked through the years, from its humble beginnings in 2003 to its current status as a gaming giant, the series has consistently redefined what we expect from military shooters.
As we look forward to future offerings, with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on the way, let's take a moment to celebrate the absolute best that Call of Duty has offered over the years. We’ll be ranking 7 of the best Call of Duty games of all time below.
7. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)
Remember Sledgehammer Games' first solo venture into the Call of Duty franchise? We do. Advanced Warfare was a successful leap forward in mobility and combat dynamics. It introduced us to the Exo movement system that transformed the traditional Call of Duty experience into something more kinetic and vertical.
The campaign provided a Hollywood-like action blockbuster, with memorable set-pieces like the high-stakes raid on Camp David and intense combat sequences across the Golden Gate Bridge. The multiplayer suite was also great. We're, of course, not forgetting its map design which had standouts like Riot. Yes, the introduction of loot boxes was quite controversial, but the combination of familiar COD gunplay with enhanced mobility options was revolutionary.
6. Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
Returning to World War II after the groundbreaking Modern Warfare might have seemed like a step backward. However, Treyarch proved all doubters wrong with World at War. Instead of retreading familiar D-Day scenarios, the game boldly chose to focus on the often-overlooked Pacific Theater and the Eastern Front. What we would get was a grittier, more brutal portrayal of war than we'd seen before.
Many would also remember World at War for its introduction of the now-legendary Zombies mode. What started as a simple bonus feature evolved into a cornerstone of the franchise. It even spawned its own dedicated fanbase and complex mythology. The multiplayer also deserves special mention for successfully adapting Modern Warfare's innovations to a historical setting while maintaining its own distinct identity.
5. Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
Black Ops marked Treyarch's finest hour up to that point. It proved they could step out of Infinity Ward's shadow and craft something truly unique. Set during the Cold War, the campaign delivered a psychological thriller that kept players guessing until the last chapter. The story of Alex Mason and the mysterious numbers remains one of the most compelling narratives in the series.
Looking at the multiplayer suite, innovations that would become series staples were introduced. The CoD Points system for unlocks and the beloved Nuketown map are just some of the various examples. The beloved Zombies mode also became more popular, especially with its historical figures like JFK and Fidel Castro. Black Ops showed the franchise could venture beyond traditional military action and still be successful.
4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
The 2019 reboot of Modern Warfare was a big mission on being innovative while honoring your roots. We can say that it was a success. The campaign had realistic military operations and blockbuster action setpieces. It also had missions like "Clean House" which set new standards for tactical combat scenarios.
As expected with a reboot, Modern Warfare (2019) brought along technical improvements. A new engine was introduced that showcased some stunning visuals and sound design. Cross-platform play and the Gunfight mode were also memorable introductions with its multiplayer. The game's release also paved the way for Warzone, which would soon become a success in its own right.
3. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)
With Black Ops 2, Treyarch successfully built on everything that made the original Black Ops great. A first for the series was the campaign's branching storylines. Players could make choices that would affect both the current mission and the overall course of the story. The game's near-future setting allowed for creative weapons and scenarios, yet it avoided straying too far into sci-fi territory.
Black Ops 2’s multiplayer introduced the Pick 10 system which offered flexible loadout customization, as players could choose to spend points on their preferred elements. There was also the implementation of League Play which brought in proper competition. The Zombies mode memorably became more complex in Black Ops 2, coupled with an impressive map design.
2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
Modern Warfare 2 took everything that made its predecessor great and amped it up to eleven. In Call of Duty campaign rankings, Modern Warfare 2's story stands out for delivering some of the most shocking and memorable moments in gaming history.
For instance, the controversial internet favorite "No Russian" mission and also the stunning betrayal that drives the game's narrative. The cooperative Special Ops mode notably added more replay value to an already robust package.
Despite (or perhaps because of) some of its arguably broken elements like the infamous Model 1887 akimbo shotguns, it arguably is one of the best COD multiplayer games ever made. The introduction of more varied killstreaks, the infamous 1v1 battles on Rust, and the chase for the tactical nuke created countless memorable moments that players still talk about today.
1. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
When talking about games that have revolutionized their genre, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare belongs in that class. This was the moment Call of Duty grew from a respected World War II shooter into a legendary figure in video game culture. Its campaign had everything you could ask for. Intimate character moments, grand-scale warfare, and missions like "All Ghillied Up" which remain benchmarks for level design and immersive, emotional storytelling.
The multiplayer system would go on to create a template that countless games would follow. It had a well tuned progression system, perks, killstreaks, and a near-perfect map design. To put things in better perspective, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was the top-selling game in the world in 2007. It also went on to sell over 7 million copies two months after its release.
Rounding Up
It wasn't easy picking and ranking these Call of Duty games. Even when considering Modern Warfare vs Black Ops rank positioning, both series brought their own innovations. From the multiplayer systems of Modern Warfare to the narrative innovations of Black Ops, the grittiness of World at War to the enhanced mobility of Advanced Warfare, each entry has its unique offerings and what makes them special.
If there's one thing particularly striking, it's how these games, despite their age, hold up well and continue to influence pop culture and the gaming industry. So what do you think of our picks? Any reshuffling or a game or two you feel should have made the list instead?