Call of Duty has become a cultural phenomenon, setting the gold standard for online arcade shooters over the last 20 years. With a vast array of maps that have hosted thousands of intense battles each season, the franchise has truly left its mark on the gaming world. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the 30 best maps in Call of Duty's storied history. Let's take a nostalgic journey through these iconic battlegrounds.
Table of Content ---
Payback (Black Ops 6, 2024) Ocean Drive (Black Ops 6, 2024) Crown Raceway (Modern Warfare II, 2022) Moscow (Black Ops Cold War, 2020) Farm 18 (Modern Warfare II, 2022) Miami (Black Ops Cold War, 2020) Ardennes Forest (WWII, 2017) London Docks (WWII, 2017) Turbine (Black Ops II, 2012) Plaza (Black Ops II, 2012) Overgrown (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, 2007) Meltdown (Black Ops II, 2012) Seaside (Black Ops 4, 2018) Crossfire (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, 2007) Karachi (Modern Warfare 2, 2009) Estate (Modern Warfare 2, 2009) Dome (Modern Warfare 3, 2011) Favela (Modern Warfare 2, 2009) Express (Black Ops II, 2012) Summit (Black Ops, 2010) Highrise (Modern Warfare 2, 2009) Crash (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, 2007) Standoff (Black Ops II, 2012) Raid (Black Ops II, 2012) Hijacked (Black Ops II, 2012) Shipment (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, 2007) Firing Range (Black Ops, 2010) Terminal (Modern Warfare 2, 2009) Rust (Modern Warfare 2, 2009) Nuketown (Black Ops, 2010) 0 0 Comment on this Payback (Black Ops 6, 2024)
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A multi-level mansion nestled in the Bulgarian mountains, Payback is designed for tense firefights and diverse gameplay. Despite its compact size, the map strikes a perfect balance for all playstyles, with its intricate architecture facilitating both ambushes and quick escapes, such as jumping out of a window.
Ocean Drive (Black Ops 6, 2024)
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Inspired by the iconic action films of the 80s, Ocean Drive features gunfights amidst luxurious hotels and flashy cars. The map's design, with its contrast between wide streets and cramped interiors, makes it versatile for various game modes, adding to the excitement.
Crown Raceway (Modern Warfare II, 2022)
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Crown Raceway offers a thrilling setting for fast-paced battles among garages, stands, and pit-stop areas. The environment quickly transforms into a blood-soaked racetrack as soon as the match starts, complete with the sounds of racing cars. Its unique design and dynamic combat ensure that even the best players will see their kill/death ratio fluctuate.
Moscow (Black Ops Cold War, 2020)
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Transporting players to the heart of Cold War-era Moscow, this map combines harsh, majestic landscapes with hidden threats. Battles unfold across massive concrete buildings, opulent marble halls, and metro stations, providing a balanced mix of tactical and aggressive playstyles.
Farm 18 (Modern Warfare II, 2022)
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An abandoned military training base hidden in a dense forest, Farm 18's central concrete training ground becomes a fierce battleground. Surrounding structures and hidden paths offer ample opportunities for assault players to exploit.
Miami (Black Ops Cold War, 2020)
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The vibrant atmosphere of 1980s Miami is captured perfectly with neon signs, nightclubs, and palm trees. This map seamlessly blends narrow streets with wide boulevards, catering to a variety of tactical approaches.
Ardennes Forest (WWII, 2017)
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Set amidst snowy forests, trenches, and blazing ruins, Ardennes Forest immerses players in the intensity of World War II. Its well-thought-out symmetry and brutal battles create a relentless warzone atmosphere.
London Docks (WWII, 2017)
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Evoking the grim atmosphere of wartime London, this map features dark alleys, wet cobblestones, and industrial architecture. The intricate details offer perfect spots for ambushes, active firefights, and vantage points.
Turbine (Black Ops II, 2012)
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Spanning canyons, Turbine offers a mix of vertical gameplay, open spaces, and hidden routes for tactical flanking. The central broken turbine can serve as both cover and a potential trap for unsuspecting players.
Plaza (Black Ops II, 2012)
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Step into the neon-lit world of Plaza, a futuristic metropolis where battles unfold in upscale clubs and narrow alleys. The map’s design ensures every corner offers potential cover, with stairs, balconies, and glass storefronts adding strategic depth.
Overgrown (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, 2007)
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An overgrown, abandoned village perfect for snipers, Overgrown features ruined buildings and excellent vantage points. This map is ideal for both stealth and open engagements, making it a tactical favorite.
Meltdown (Black Ops II, 2012)
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Set in a nuclear power plant, Meltdown is where reactors and firefights heat up. The central reactor complex, with its maze of tunnels, is perfect for close combat and surprise flanking maneuvers.
Seaside (Black Ops 4, 2018)
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A picturesque seaside town with charming squares and dangerous alleyways, Seaside offers a mix of open areas for long-range shootouts and narrow lanes for close quarters. Stay alert; enemies could be lurking around any corner.
Crossfire (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, 2007)
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Set in a city abandoned during a military conflict, Crossfire features a long street flanked by ruined buildings and sniper nests. Players can engage in prolonged ranged battles or attempt close combat through side alleys, testing their skills.
Karachi (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)
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Dusty streets and abandoned buildings define Karachi, where rooftops are perfect for ambushes and narrow alleys ideal for shotguns. The chaotic layout demands vigilance, as players navigate the unpredictable terrain.
Estate (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)
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Perched on a hill overlooking a dense forest, Estate is remembered for its luxurious mansion. Inside, players can fortify positions, while the forest offers ample cover for surprise attacks.
Dome (Modern Warfare 3, 2011)
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A compact, lethal map featuring a ruined military base and an abandoned dome, Dome is where battles unfold at breakneck speed. It's perfect for aggressive play, where reflexes and timing are crucial.
Favela (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)
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In the densely packed Brazilian slum of Favela, danger lurks around every corner. Narrow corridors, rooftops, and hidden passages make it ideal for ambushes, especially with shotguns.
Express (Black Ops II, 2012)
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Prepare for rapid-fire shootouts on the bustling train platforms of Express. The moving train adds tension and can be a deadly trap, making this a dynamic battlefield where strategy and speed reign supreme.
Summit (Black Ops, 2010)
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A snowy mountain base with various routes and tight corridors, Summit requires caution at every turn, especially near the steep cliffs. Battles take place both in open areas and within closed-off labs.
Highrise (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)
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Set atop a skyscraper, Highrise offers combat in cramped offices and open rooftop areas. Known for hidden approaches and brutal sniper duels, this map keeps players on their toes.
Crash (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, 2007)
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An urban map with three main lanes of combat, Crash features ruined buildings and narrow alleyways. The iconic crashed "Black Hawk" at the center evokes strong memories for many players.
Standoff (Black Ops II, 2012)
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A classic small town perfect for ambushes, Standoff offers various fighting styles, from hidden routes to firing from above. It's cinematic and fast-paced, but remember to reload in time.
Raid (Black Ops II, 2012)
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Set in a modern Los Angeles mansion with a pool and marble corridors, Raid is balanced for both close-quarters and long-range combat. The high-paced action suits players of all skill levels, making it a fan favorite.
Hijacked (Black Ops II, 2012)
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A luxury yacht turned battleground, Hijacked offers intense combat in its small, limited-cover spaces. The adrenaline rush is maximized on this compact map.
Shipment (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, 2007)
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A tiny, chaotic map among shipping containers, Shipment is a paradise for close-range weapons and shotguns. It's a place where killstreaks can be achieved as quickly as players can be taken down.
Firing Range (Black Ops, 2010)
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A military training ground ideal for mid-range battles, Firing Range features multiple elevation levels and long open areas, catering to a variety of playstyles and weapons.
Terminal (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)
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Set in an airport, Terminal blends spacious terminals with narrow corridors and an open tarmac. Players can set up ambushes, control vantage points, or engage in close-quarters combat, always keeping enemies in sight.
Rust (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)
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A miniature desert map with an oil rig at its center, Rust offers tight, vertically-oriented gameplay. It's perfect for one-on-one duels and intense firefights, with combat starting immediately and continuing relentlessly.
Nuketown (Black Ops, 2010)
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A small yet dynamic map, Nuketown has become synonymous with Call of Duty. Its symmetrical streets and limited space force players to stay on the move, ready for high-speed skirmishes, with the added thrill of potential nuclear explosions.
These 30 maps have left an indelible mark on millions of players, becoming classics in the Call of Duty franchise. Each offers unique experiences, from frenetic close-quarters action to strategic open-terrain battles. No matter your preferred style, you're sure to find the perfect battleground on this list.