Table of Contents
Introduction: Two Decades of Gaming Excellence
Since bursting onto the gaming scene in 2003, Call of Duty has become more than just a video game franchise—it’s a cultural phenomenon that has defined the first-person shooter genre for over two decades. With nearly twenty mainline titles released, countless hours of gameplay logged by millions of players worldwide, and a competitive esports scene that rivals traditional sports, Call of Duty has earned its place in gaming history.
But here’s the question that sparks endless debate among fans: Which Call of Duty game truly deserves the crown? Is it the groundbreaking original that started it all? The revolutionary Modern Warfare that changed multiplayer forever? Or perhaps one of the innovative Black Ops entries that pushed storytelling boundaries?
Whether you’re a veteran player who remembers the franchise’s humble World War II beginnings or a newcomer jumping in through the latest releases, this comprehensive ranking will guide you through every mainline Call of Duty game ever made. We’ll explore what made each title special, where they fell short, and ultimately, which ones stand above the rest.
Get your loadout ready—this is going to be one epic journey through Call of Duty history.
What Defines a Great Call of Duty Experience?
Before we dive into our rankings, it’s essential to establish the criteria that separate a good Call of Duty game from a legendary one. After all, with so many entries in the franchise, what elements truly make players come back year after year?
The Perfect Campaign
A compelling single-player campaign has always been a cornerstone of the Call of Duty experience. The best campaigns deliver cinematic storytelling with memorable characters, heart-pounding set pieces, and emotional resonance that stays with players long after the credits roll. Whether it’s storming the beaches of Normandy or navigating the moral complexities of modern warfare, a great campaign immerses you completely in its world.
Multiplayer Magic
For many fans, multiplayer is the heart and soul of Call of Duty. The most successful entries strike a delicate balance between accessible gameplay and competitive depth. Strong map design, balanced weapon systems, rewarding progression mechanics, and smooth gunplay all contribute to that “just one more match” feeling that keeps lobbies full months—or even years—after launch.
Innovation and Evolution
While Call of Duty is known for its reliable formula, the games that truly stand out are those willing to take calculated risks. Whether introducing new game modes, experimenting with settings and time periods, or refining existing mechanics, innovation keeps the franchise fresh and exciting.
Replay Value and Additional Modes
The legendary Zombies mode, introduced in World at War, has become a franchise staple. Similarly, co-op missions, spec ops challenges, and more recently, battle royale modes like Warzone have extended the longevity of Call of Duty titles far beyond their initial release windows. Games that offer multiple ways to play tend to build stronger, more dedicated communities.
With these criteria in mind, let’s break down every mainline Call of Duty game from the disappointing to the truly exceptional.
The Bottom Tier: Ambitious but Flawed
#19: Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)
Taking the franchise to the stars seemed like a bold creative choice, but Infinite Warfare became one of the most divisive entries in Call of Duty history. The futuristic setting, complete with space battles and advanced movement mechanics, felt like a step too far from what fans loved about the series.
What Went Wrong: The heavy emphasis on boost jumping and wall running alienated players who were growing tired of the advanced movement systems that had dominated recent entries. The game’s reveal trailer became one of the most disliked videos on YouTube, signaling the community’s resistance before the game even launched.
Silver Linings: Despite the backlash, Infinite Warfare’s campaign deserves credit for its surprisingly emotional story and solid mission design. Kit Harington’s performance as the antagonist added genuine star power, and the space combat sequences, while controversial, were technically impressive. The game also featured a well-crafted Zombies mode with a distinct 1980s aesthetic.
The Verdict: Infinite Warfare represents what happens when a franchise strays too far from its identity. While ambitious in scope, it failed to resonate with the core audience that made Call of Duty great.
#18: Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)
Arriving on next-gen consoles with high expectations, Ghosts promised a fresh start for the franchise. Unfortunately, it delivered one of the most forgettable experiences in series history.
What Went Wrong: The campaign, while featuring some interesting ideas about a invaded America, never found its emotional core. Characters were bland, the story lacked compelling twists, and the controversial ending left players frustrated rather than intrigued. Multiplayer, traditionally Call of Duty’s strongest suit, suffered from oversized maps that slowed gameplay to a crawl and a general lack of innovation.
Notable Features: The game did introduce Extinction mode, a cooperative experience where players fought alien creatures. While not as beloved as Zombies, it offered something different for players seeking variety.
The Verdict: Ghosts tried to establish a new universe but lacked the creative spark and polish that define great Call of Duty games.
#17: Call of Duty 3 (2006)
Released just one year after the highly successful Call of Duty 2, this entry felt rushed and incomplete—a victim of the annual release cycle that would come to define the franchise.
What Went Wrong: The campaign, while featuring multiple perspectives from Allied forces during World War II, never achieved the emotional impact of its predecessor. Mission design felt repetitive, and the game lacked the set-piece moments that make Call of Duty campaigns memorable. Additionally, the absence of a PC version at launch disappointed a significant portion of the franchise’s fanbase.
Historical Context: Call of Duty 3 represents an important lesson in the franchise’s evolution: speed of development doesn’t guarantee quality. This entry would serve as a cautionary tale for future releases.
The Verdict: An unremarkable chapter that’s mostly remembered as a stepping stone between more significant entries.
The Middle Ground: Solid but Not Spectacular
#16: Call of Duty: WWII (2017)
After years of futuristic warfare, fans celebrated the return to World War II. However, WWII proved that nostalgia alone couldn’t carry a game.
What Went Right: The game looked absolutely stunning, with detailed environments that brought the European theater to life. The War mode, which featured objective-based battles, provided a refreshing alternative to traditional multiplayer. The social space hub was an interesting experiment in community building.
What Went Wrong: Despite the beautiful visuals, the gameplay felt strangely dated. Gunplay lacked the satisfying weight of recent entries, character development was minimal, and the campaign, while respectful of its subject matter, played it too safe to be truly memorable. The removal of the traditional Create-a-Class system in favor of Divisions also proved controversial.
The Verdict: WWII successfully brought the franchise back to its roots but failed to innovate or improve upon the classic formula in meaningful ways.
#15: Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)
Vanguard had the noble goal of telling stories inspired by real World War II heroes from diverse backgrounds. Unfortunately, execution fell short of ambition.
What Went Wrong: The campaign’s fragmented narrative structure, which told separate character stories, prevented emotional investment in any single protagonist. Multiplayer was competent but lacked distinctive features to set it apart. Most disappointing was the Zombies mode, which felt half-baked and disconnected from the beloved Dark Aether storyline fans had been following.
Redeeming Qualities: The game did feature strong gunplay and impressive audio design. The Pacific theater missions showcased beautiful environments rarely explored in previous Call of Duty titles.
The Verdict: Vanguard represented a missed opportunity to deliver something special with its compelling premise.
#14: Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)
Advanced Warfare marked Sledgehammer Games’ first solo development of a Call of Duty title, and it brought significant changes to the franchise formula.
What Went Right: The introduction of exo suits added verticality and speed to combat, fundamentally changing how players approached multiplayer engagements. Kevin Spacey’s performance in the campaign brought Hollywood production values to the game. Visually, Advanced Warfare was stunning for its time.
What Went Wrong: The advanced movement mechanics, while innovative, divided the community. Many players felt the boost jumping and dashing made gameplay too chaotic and detracted from the tactical gunplay Call of Duty was known for. The campaign, despite its cinematic presentation, followed predictable story beats.
The Verdict: Advanced Warfare deserves credit for taking risks and introducing mechanics that would influence future entries, even if the execution wasn’t perfect.
#13: Call of Duty (2003)
Where it all began. The original Call of Duty was revolutionary in 2003, offering an intense World War II experience that set new standards for the genre.
Historical Impact: This game established many conventions that would define the series: cinematic scripted sequences, perspective-switching campaigns, and emphasis on being part of a larger battle rather than a one-man army. It competed directly with Medal of Honor, the dominant WWII shooter at the time, and won.
Modern Perspective: Returning to the original Call of Duty today reveals a game that hasn’t aged particularly well. Controls feel stiff, AI is basic, and mission design is simplistic by contemporary standards. However, its historical importance cannot be overstated—without this foundation, none of the franchise’s future success would have been possible.
The Verdict: An essential piece of gaming history that laid the groundwork for everything that followed, even if it’s not particularly enjoyable to play today.
#12: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)
Developed partly during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cold War delivered a nostalgic spy thriller campaign and familiar multiplayer action.
What Went Right: The campaign embraced espionage and intrigue, featuring multiple endings based on player choices—a rarity for the franchise. Set pieces like the recreation of the Vietnam War and infiltration missions in East Berlin were highlights. Zombies returned with a fresh storyline and refined mechanics that longtime fans appreciated.
What Went Wrong: The game felt somewhat safe, retreading familiar ground without pushing boundaries. Some players found the multiplayer lacked the innovation needed to compete with Modern Warfare 2019’s overhaul. Visually, it looked slightly dated compared to its predecessor.
The Verdict: A solid entry that satisfied fans looking for classic Black Ops gameplay but didn’t revolutionize the franchise.
The Upper Echelon: Excellent Entries
#11: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
The conclusion to the original Modern Warfare trilogy had enormous expectations to meet following the phenomenal success of Modern Warfare 2.
What Went Right: MW3 delivered a satisfying conclusion to the storyline fans had followed through two previous games. Multiplayer remained excellent with refined mechanics and strong map design. The introduction of Spec Ops Survival mode provided endless replayability for cooperative players. Kill Confirmed became an instant favorite game mode.
What Went Wrong: Following the masterpiece that was Modern Warfare 2, this entry felt more like an expansion pack than a true sequel. Innovation was minimal, and while the campaign wrapped up loose ends, it lacked the shocking moments and emotional weight of its predecessors.
The Verdict: An excellent game that suffered from following an impossible act to match.
#10: Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
Treyarch’s first entry following the revolutionary Modern Warfare had the unenviable task of returning to World War II. Against all odds, they created something special.
What Went Right: World at War embraced the brutality and darkness of the Pacific and Eastern Front campaigns, areas rarely explored in gaming. The violence felt purposeful rather than gratuitous, creating a genuinely harrowing experience. Most importantly, World at War introduced Nazi Zombies—a cooperative mode that would become one of gaming’s most beloved features.
Legacy: The Zombies mode alone elevates World at War’s importance in franchise history. What began as a bonus unlockable became a phenomenon that’s now an expected part of Treyarch’s Call of Duty games. The mode’s mysterious storyline and addictive gameplay spawned countless YouTube channels and a dedicated community.
The Verdict: A dark, mature take on World War II that proved the setting still had stories worth telling while accidentally creating one of gaming’s most enduring modes.
#9: Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018)
The decision to release a mainline Call of Duty without a single-player campaign shocked fans. Black Ops 4 represented a bold gamble that largely paid off.
What Went Right: Multiplayer returned to a more traditional style after the advanced movement era, featuring hero-based specialists with unique abilities. The game felt polished and balanced. Zombies offered three complete experiences at launch—an unprecedented amount of undead content. Most significantly, Blackout mode brought battle royale to Call of Duty, successfully competing with Fortnite and PUBG.
What Went Wrong: The absence of a campaign left a noticeable void. While Specialist HQ missions provided some story content, they couldn’t replace a full narrative experience. Some players felt the hero-shooter elements moved too far from Call of Duty’s traditional gameplay.
The Verdict: A risky reinvention that proved Call of Duty could thrive without a campaign while successfully entering the battle royale space.
The Elite Tier: Legendary Experiences
#8: Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
Treyarch’s follow-up to World at War took players into the Cold War era with a paranoia-fueled thriller that kept players guessing until the final moments.
What Went Right: The campaign featured one of the franchise’s best stories, with memorable characters like Alex Mason and Jason Hudson navigating conspiracy and psychological warfare. The famous plot twist rivaled anything Hollywood produced that year. Multiplayer built on Modern Warfare’s foundation with perfect refinements and excellent map design. Zombies expanded with deeper lore and new mechanics.
Innovation: Black Ops introduced the Wager Match mode and comprehensive theater mode for sharing gameplay clips—features that enhanced the community experience. The customization options were the deepest in the series to that point.
The Verdict: A complete package that excelled in every category, establishing Black Ops as a premiere sub-series within the franchise.
#7: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
The 2019 reboot breathed new life into a franchise that some felt had grown stale, completely overhauling the Modern Warfare universe.
What Went Right: The campaign delivered a grounded, morally complex story that didn’t shy away from the costs of modern warfare. Captain Price’s return delighted longtime fans. Multiplayer featured Gunsmith, the deepest weapon customization system in series history, allowing incredible personalization. Cross-platform play united the community like never before. The game looked and sounded absolutely phenomenal with photorealistic graphics and award-winning audio design.
Revolutionary Impact: Modern Warfare launched Warzone, the free-to-play battle royale that would become a gaming phenomenon in its own right. Warzone’s integration with the main game created an interconnected ecosystem that changed how Call of Duty operated.
What Went Wrong: Some multiplayer maps were criticized for poor design with too many camping spots. The initial spawning system needed significant adjustment. The absence of a traditional Zombies mode disappointed some Treyarch fans.
The Verdict: A successful reinvention that modernized Call of Duty for a new generation while respecting what made the series great.
#6: Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)
Few Call of Duty games have dared to innovate like Black Ops II. This entry took massive creative risks and succeeded spectacularly.
What Went Right: The campaign featured branching storylines where player choices genuinely mattered, creating multiple endings and making replays worthwhile. The near-future setting felt plausible and allowed for creative weapon design without going too far into science fiction. Villain Raul Menendez became one of gaming’s most compelling antagonists. Multiplayer achieved near-perfect balance with the Pick 10 system revolutionizing loadout creation.
Zombies Excellence: Black Ops II delivered some of the best Zombies maps ever created. The continued storyline kept fans engaged with increasingly complex Easter eggs. The introduction of building mechanics in TranZit mode, while divisive, showed willingness to experiment.
The Verdict: A game that took risks with storytelling and mechanics while maintaining the tight gunplay and polished multiplayer Call of Duty is known for.
#5: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022)
The most recent entry to crack the top five, Modern Warfare II (2022) demonstrated that Infinity Ward still knows how to craft exceptional Call of Duty experiences.
What Went Right: Visually stunning with industry-leading graphics and animation, MW2 featured a campaign that took players around the globe with diverse mission design and memorable set pieces. Multiplayer launched with refined mechanics and strong map variety. The integration with Warzone 2.0 and the new DMZ extraction mode showed commitment to evolving the franchise. The game introduced innovative features like proximity chat in Warzone that created viral moments.
Community Reception: Despite some launch issues with multiplayer progression and lobby systems that needed adjustment, the community embraced MW2 as one of the most complete Call of Duty packages in recent years.
The Verdict: A successful sequel that built upon 2019’s foundation while carving its own identity with stunning production values and varied content.
#4: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
Arguably the most influential Call of Duty game ever made, the original Modern Warfare 2 set standards that entries still chase today.
What Went Right: Everything. The campaign featured unforgettable missions like the controversial “No Russian,” the frantic escape in “Wolverines!,” and the desperate final act. Multiplayer was lightning in a bottle with perfect pacing, legendary maps like Terminal, Highrise, and Rust, and the most satisfying killstreaks in franchise history. The Spec Ops mode provided exceptional cooperative content.
Cultural Impact: MW2 dominated pop culture. Its midnight launches drew massive crowds. Iconic moments became part of gaming vocabulary. The game inspired countless YouTube channels and cemented Call of Duty as the premiere shooter franchise.
What Went Wrong: Honestly, very little at the time. The multiplayer had some balance issues (One Man Army noob tubes, anyone?), but these barely diminished the overall experience. The game was so successful that it created unrealistic expectations for every future entry.
The Verdict: A lightning strike of creativity, polish, and cultural timing that created gaming history.
#3: Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015)
Black Ops III proved that even late in the advanced movement era, Treyarch could deliver an outstanding Call of Duty experience.
What Went Right: This game offered something for everyone. The campaign, while divisive for its supernatural story, featured four-player co-op and deep customization. Multiplayer refined the movement mechanics with the smoothest implementation of boost jumping and wall running. The Specialists system added personality without sacrificing balance. And the Zombies mode? Legendary. With multiple maps telling an epic storyline, Chronicles DLC bringing remastered classics, and countless Easter eggs, Zombies reached its peak.
Longevity: Black Ops III maintained a massive player base for years after release. The combination of consistently fun multiplayer, comprehensive Zombies content, and regular updates kept the community engaged longer than most Call of Duty titles.
The Verdict: A masterclass in content delivery that proved advanced movement could work when implemented properly, wrapped in the best Zombies experience ever created.
The Pinnacle: The Top 2
#2: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
This is where everything changed. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare didn’t just revolutionize the franchise—it revolutionized the entire shooter genre.
The Campaign: “All Ghillies Up” remains one of gaming’s greatest missions. The nuclear explosion in “Shock and Awe” left players speechless. The game balanced blockbuster spectacle with intimate character moments, creating a story that resonated emotionally. Characters like Captain Price, Gaz, and Soap MacTavish became legends.
The Multiplayer Revolution: Modern Warfare introduced the progression system, perk system, and killstreak rewards that would define competitive shooters for the next decade. Create-a-Class gave unprecedented customization. Prestige mode kept players engaged indefinitely. Maps were perfectly designed for various playstyles. This multiplayer formula was so successful that games across the industry copied it.
Legacy: Without Modern Warfare, the gaming landscape looks completely different. It proved shooters could be both blockbuster entertainment and competitive esports material. It established Call of Duty as an annual juggernaut. It influenced game design philosophy across the industry.
The Verdict: A revolutionary masterpiece that earned its place in the gaming hall of fame and continues influencing games nearly two decades later.
#1: Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)
After careful consideration of every entry, Black Ops II claims the top spot as the best Call of Duty game ever made.
Why It’s #1: Black Ops II represents the perfect storm of innovation, content, and execution. The campaign took risks with branching storylines and player choice that actually mattered—something the franchise rarely attempts. The near-future setting allowed creativity without sacrificing realism. Raul Menendez was a complex, sympathetic villain whose motivations players could understand even while opposing him.
Multiplayer Perfection: The Pick 10 system remains the best loadout creation method in franchise history, allowing true build diversity without overwhelming players. Maps were varied and excellently designed. League Play introduced competitive ranking for serious players. Weapon balance was exceptional. The gameplay felt fast and fluid without becoming chaotic.
Zombies Peak: TranZit, Die Rise, Mob of the Dead, Buried, Origins—Black Ops II delivered consistently excellent Zombies content with increasingly elaborate Easter eggs. The mode’s storyline reached new heights of complexity and intrigue. Each map felt distinct and offered unique mechanics.
Complete Package: No Call of Duty game before or since has delivered such a comprehensive experience across all modes. Campaign, multiplayer, and Zombies each could have carried the game alone, but together they created something truly special. The game respected longtime fans while welcoming newcomers. It took risks but didn’t abandon what made Call of Duty great.
Lasting Impact: Years after release, Black Ops II remains beloved by the community. Players still request remasters. Features introduced here—like Pick 10—are considered gold standards. The game proved Call of Duty could evolve while maintaining its identity.
The Verdict: Black Ops II achieved what every game in the franchise strives for: innovation balanced with tradition, risk-taking that pays off, and content that satisfies all types of players. It’s not just the best Call of Duty game—it’s one of the best shooters ever made.
Finding Your Perfect Call of Duty Experience
With nineteen mainline entries spanning over two decades, choosing where to start or what to play next can feel overwhelming. Here’s a quick guide based on what you’re looking for:
For Story Lovers: If you crave narrative experiences with compelling characters and memorable moments, start with Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Black Ops, or Modern Warfare (2019). These campaigns deliver cinematic storytelling at its finest.
For Multiplayer Addicts: Competitive players should focus on Modern Warfare 2 (2009), Black Ops II, or Modern Warfare 2 (2022). These entries feature the most balanced, endlessly replayable multiplayer experiences.
For Zombies Enthusiasts: Black Ops III offers the most comprehensive Zombies experience with Chronicles DLC. World at War provides the nostalgic original, while Black Ops II delivers the most creative maps.
For Complete Packages: Want it all? Black Ops II, Modern Warfare 2 (2009), and Black Ops III deliver excellence across all modes.
For Newcomers: Modern Warfare (2019) or Modern Warfare 2 (2022) provide the most accessible entry points with modern graphics, active player bases, and refined mechanics.
The Future of Call of Duty
As we look toward the future, Call of Duty shows no signs of slowing down. The franchise continues evolving with persistent platforms like Warzone, advanced graphics engines, and creative new modes. While not every entry achieves perfection, the series’ commitment to delivering annual experiences ensures there’s always something for fans to enjoy.
The best Call of Duty games succeed by balancing innovation with tradition—they respect what came before while pushing toward what’s next. They understand that at its core, Call of Duty is about satisfying gunplay, exciting moments with friends, and the thrill of competition.
Whether you’re a veteran who’s been here since 2003 or a recruit just joining the fight, there’s never been a better time to explore what this legendary franchise has to offer.
Conclusion: The Call Never Ends
Ranking every Call of Duty game reveals the franchise’s incredible journey from humble World War II shooter to global gaming phenomenon. While opinions on individual entries will always vary—some players swear by Modern Warfare 2 while others champion Black Ops—the diversity of experiences across these games ensures every player can find something they love.
Black Ops II earns the top spot for delivering the most complete, innovative, and endlessly replayable experience in franchise history. But the beauty of Call of Duty is that there’s no single “right” answer. Your personal favorite might be ranked lower on this list, and that’s perfectly fine. Gaming is subjective, and the game that resonates with you is your personal number one.
What matters most is the memories created—the clutch victories, the hilarious moments with friends, the campaigns that moved you, and the countless hours of entertainment these games have provided.
Now it’s your turn: What’s your top-ranked Call of Duty game? Did this list match your expectations or completely miss the mark? Are you a Modern Warfare purist or a Black Ops devotee? Jump into the comments and let the friendly debate begin.
And if you’re looking for more gaming content—rankings, retrospectives, hidden gems, and deep dives into your favorite franchises—stick around. We’re just getting started on this nostalgic journey through gaming history, one mission at a time.
Game on, soldiers. The next mission awaits.