All Call of Duty games in release order

Call of Duty is easily one of the longest-standing and most popular shooter franchises in gaming history. Originating in the early 2000s, there have been 21 mainline games, along with 6 spinoffs and mobile games over the years. It can be hard to keep track of all of the Call of Duty games, especially in order, so that’s where we come in with the list of all CoD games in release order.

Call of Duty (2003)

• Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
• Developer: Infinity Ward
• Publisher: Activision

The game that started it all was released on October 29, 2003. The developers, Infinity Ward, were comprised of several developers who worked on Medal of Honor: Allied Assault – the previous big WW2 shooter game. Call of Duty was set during the same conflict, with points of view revolving around the US, UK, and USSR campaigns in Europe. The game received critical acclaim at the time, winning Game of the Year awards and was praised for its gameplay, AI, and mechanics. Initially only a PC release, it was later launched on consoles as well and also received an expansion, United Offensive, in 2004.

Call of Duty 2 (2005)

• Platforms: PC, Mac, Xbox 360
• Developer: Infinity Ward
• Publisher: Activision

The sequel to the successful first entry into the franchise, Call of Duty 2 was released on October 25, 2005. It was available on Xbox 360 out of the gate, as well as on PC, though notably not on PlayStation. The game stuck to the WW2 setting, playing from the perspective of four different soldiers from USA, UK, and USSR across four campaigns. The game built upon the systems of its predecessor, adding more innovations such as grenade detection and health regen. Likewise, it received critical praise and is often regarded as one of the best entries in the series.

Call of Duty 3 (2006)

• Platforms: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii
• Developer: Treyarch
• Publisher: Activision

The third Call of Duty game was released across several platforms and regions in a staggered manner, ranging from November 7, 2006, for consoles in the US, up to March 23, 2007, for PS3. It also marks the first game in the franchise developed by Treyarch. The game’s 14-mission campaign is set on the Western Front of WW2, with players taking control of soldiers from US, UK, Canada, or Poland. Notably, Call of Duty 3 is the only game in the series that didn’t receive a PC release. Boasting both single and multiplayer gameplay, the game innovated upon mechanics by adding stances, multiple weapons and grenades, UI improvements, and more. While positively received at the time, CoD3 was criticized for the lack of a PC version.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)

• Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Wii
• Developer: Infinity Ward
• Publisher: Activision

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare represents a departure from the game’s WW2 roots, setting the game in the year 2011. The game was released on November 5, 2007, across a plethora of platforms of its day. In addition to a change in the operative timeline, the game also takes place across several different locales, like the UK, the Middle East, Russia, and more. The game’s campaign was widely praised at the time and was a major contributor to its Game of the Year accolades. Mechanically, it reiterated in previously established systems, while adding modern weaponry and equipment. Notably, CoD4 was the first game to feature Killstreaks, levelling, and Perks as part of its multiplayer.

Call of Duty: World at War (2008)

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii
• Developer: Treyarch
• Publisher: Activision

World at War was released on November 11, 2008. Interestingly, the game had a few other parallel releases, such as Final Fronts for PS2 and a version for the Nintendo DS. It brought the setting back to World War 2, this time operating in the Pacific and Eastern Front theatres. One of the most interesting facts is that World at War also introduced the popular Zombies mode to the franchise, as well as beginning the storyline that was further fleshed out in Black Ops later on. The game received favourable reviews and praise, though it also faced criticism for a lack of innovation.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)

• Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• Developer: Infinity Ward
• Publisher: Activision

Modern Warfare 2 was released on November 10, 2009, once again pivoting the game’s setting to modern times. The game introduced the world to Captain Soap Mac Tavish and Task Force 141 as they hunted Makarov across the globe. What can be said about what is considered the best entry in the series? To this day, MW2’s campaign and multiplayer are praised as some of the best ever, with a polished gameplay formula that built upon everything that previous titles introduced. The game also received two post-release DLCs with five multiplayer maps each, some of which were new, while others were remastered from the first Modern Warfare. 

Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

• Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii
• Developer: Treyarch
• Publisher: Activision

Following on the coattails of MW2, Black Ops was released on November 9, 2010. It started the storyline that has been expanded in further sequels, with the game’s take on covert operations, conspiracies, and secret missions. The game is set during the Cold War in the 1960s, following the CIA agent Alex Mason on a whirlwind mission to uncover Soviet sleeper agents and their secrets. The game also marks the introduction of CoD Points, the initial version of the in-game currency system. Mechanically, Black Ops didn’t stray away from the previous games, though it introduced a running dive that later became a staple in CoD games. 

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)

• Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii
• Developer: Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games
• Publisher: Activision

Modern Warfare 3 was released on November 8, 2011, and rounds out the story from previous MW games into a neat trilogy. We’re back with Captain Price, Soap, and once again hunting for Makarov across Europe. While initially positively received, the game later suffered criticism for lack of innovation and an unsatisfying conclusion to the campaign for some. However, it also saw the advent of the previously introduced Special Ops game mode, which expanded the scope of what it can offer – something that remained a mainstay to this day.

Call of Duty Online (2012)

• Platforms: PC
• Developer: Raven Shanghai, Activision Shanghai Studio
• Publisher: Tencent Games

This little-known title was released as beta on September 28, 2018, exclusively in China as a free-to-play offshoot of the main franchise. It saw full release in 2015 and lasted up until 2021 when it was permanently shut down. This game didn’t have a campaign, instead focusing exclusively on multiplayer based on the Modern Warfare 2 formula. It did offer a few single-player modes, namely the Hero Ops special missions and Cyborgs as an alternative to Zombies. 

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U
• Developer: Treyarch
• Publisher: Activision

Black Ops 2 was released on November 12, 2012, as a sequel to the popular Black Ops from just a few years prior. It also had a companion game for PS Vita, called Call of Duty: Black Ops: Declassified. The game’s story took an innovative approach with branching stories set in two timelines, one in the 1980s and another in 2025. You play as three protagonists: Frank Woods, Alex Mason, and his son David. The outstanding element was the non-linearity of the campaign, rewarding multiple playthroughs. This was one of the most praised parts of the game, along with gameplay and multiplayer. It also introduced weapon progression systems that we know today.

Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Wii U
• Developer: Infinity Ward
• Publisher: Activision

Often forgotten by the fans of the series, Ghosts was released on November 5, 2013. Unlike previously established settings, Ghosts takes place in a vaguely near-future setting. The campaign features a large cast of characters, with Logan Walker serving as the game’s protagonist. The likeliest contributor to the game’s perceived failure was the bad timing of its release, which took place between console generations. In addition, the fans felt that the gameplay wasn’t innovative enough compared to previous entries – even with the introduction of the Extinction mode – making Ghosts one of the first hick-ups for the franchise. 

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• Developer: Sledgehammer Games
• Publisher: Activision

The so-called sci-fi entry into the series, Advanced Warfare was released on November 4, 2014. It took the setting even further into the future, set in between the years 2054 and 2061. As such, the game’s weaponry and equipment are largely futuristic, causing some of the fans to dub it “Jetpack CoD”. The story follows members of USMC and Atlas, a private military group serving the highest bidder. The most interesting element was the replacement of the usual HUD with information shown coming from holographic projections from your weapons. With the new Exo movement system, the game placed a higher emphasis on mobility, something that the series will reiterate in the future. 

Call of Duty: Heroes (2014)

• Platforms: iOS, Android
• Developer: Faceroll Games
• Publisher: Activision

Not many will remember the CoD mobile RTS game, Call of Duty: Heroes, released for mobile devices on November 26, 2014. The short-lived game followed the now-classic mobile RTS formula, similar to games like Clash of Clans and others like it. In essence, you’d use soldiers in Units led by Heroes and send them to destroy bases out in the world. Many well-known characters from the franchise appeared as Hero units, including Soap, Yuri, Reaper, and many others. However, the game was discontinued in late 2018.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (2015)

• Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• Developer: Treyarch
• Publisher: Activision

Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 was released on November 6, 2015, and is another futuristic entry for the series. The story takes place in 2065 during the Third Cold War, meaning 40 years after the later campaign branch of Black Ops 2. Most interestingly, the campaign allowed for 4-player coop gameplay, with larger and more open levels. It also featured the Nightmares mode after the initial playthrough, providing even more challenges for players. In multiplayer, BO3 added momentum-based movement, while Zombies were expanded with the XP progression system and saw the addition of Gobblegums. 

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• Developer: Infinity Ward
• Publisher: Activision

Infinite Warfare started as one of the most controversial entries in the series and was released on November 4, 2016. The controversy stemmed from the game’s sci-fi setting, with the campaign taking place around the Solar System where players battle the SDF forces for control. The fans at the time saw this as a betrayal of the game’s military roots. During the campaign, Captain Nick Reyes had a boost pack, a grappling hook, and even a transformer fighter vessel called Jackal. On the multiplayer front, the class system was overhauled with the Combat Rigs system that replaced Loadouts.

Call of Duty: WW2 (2017)

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• Developer: Sledgehammer Games
• Publisher: Activision

After the previous entry, the series returned to its roots with Call of Duty: WW2, released on November 3, 2017. The campaign is set on the Western Front during the events of Operation Overlord. Players take on the role of Ronald “Red” Daniels while following the mostly linear set of missions. In contrast to previous titles, CoD: WW2 removed the automatic health regen system, making players rely on finding health packs instead. Many of the previous movement enhancements have been rolled back to provide a more “realistic” experience. In multiplayer, players could be assigned to either Axis or Allies, and a new social Headquarters feature was added. The game was praised for its return to a more familiar setting and tighter combat gameplay.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018)

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• Developer: Treyarch
• Publisher: Activision

Black Ops 4 was released on October 12, 2018 – without a single-player campaign. This was a first for the series, and the devs instead opted for Specialist HQ. This was a mode that followed the stories of multiplayer characters, set in the timeline between BO2 and BO3. The Specialists each came with their own set of abilities and traits, which carried over to multiplayer as well. It also saw the first attempt at battle royale gameplay through the Blackout mode. Regarding the game’s mechanics, it brought many improvements to the gunplay elements, such as more refined recoil and a new ballistics system. Ultimately, the game was panned for its lack of campaign and the introduction of the Battle Pass system. 

Call of Duty: Mobile (2019)

• Platforms: iOS, Android
• Developer: TiMi Studio Group
• Publisher: Activision, Garena

Call of Duty: Mobile was released on October 1, 2019, and remains active to this day. This hand-held version didn’t try to reinvent its genre, rather keeping to what players would expect from a CoD title, only ported to mobile devices. There are multiplayer and battle royale modes, with both ranked and non-ranked matches. The well-known Zombies mode was also added later on as well. The game is considered a success, becoming one of the most popular mobile games in the world and even featuring its own branch of Esports competitions.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• Developer: Infinity Ward
• Publisher: Activision

No, you didn’t read the name wrong. Released on October 25, 2019, this entry represents a sort of reboot to the Modern Warfare game that came before it. It features all the bells and whistles that you would expect – an improved engine, graphical enhancements, ray tracing technology, and more. The story takes on a different turn from the same-name title that came before. It focuses on facing the worldwide terrorist threat with limited choice-based branching to go along with the story. Multiplayer saw the removal of loot boxes, which were replaced by Seasons as we know them today. 

Call of Duty: Warzone (2020)

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• Developer: Raven Software, Infinity Ward
• Publisher: Activision

Warzone was released as a free-to-play battle royale offshoot on March 10, 2020. Initially, it followed the genre’s formula with the two main game modes, Battle Royale and Plunder. This supplanted the Blackout mode from Black Ops 4. Later, the game was reiterated with more distinctive features, like Buy Stations, Loadout Drops, and a new mode called Resurgence. While exclusively multiplayer, Warzone does have a story that ties the battles, with Arcs spanning over the battle royale maps. It received a positive reception from fans until it was replaced with the new version in 2022.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
• Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
• Publisher: Activision

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War was released on November 13, 2020. It followed an intensive marketing campaign, including hidden messages in Warzone, online puzzles, websites, and more. The story brought back several fan-favourite characters, like Frank Woods, while introducing Russell Adler and the hunt for Perseus, a Soviet spy. In addition, players could create their own character, with further customization options that assign them perks based on their background. Not much was changed on the multiplayer side of things, especially with Warzone dominating that space at the time. In many ways, the battle royale overshadowed what was otherwise a game with a very good campaign.

Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
• Developer: Sledgehammer Games
• Publisher: Activision

Vanguard was released on November 5, 2021, and once again returned the series to a World War 2 setting. It deals with the various special forces units during the war’s final years, while the gameplay is most reminiscent of Modern Warfare (2019). Ultimately, the game was considered a flop by both fans and critics, receiving mixed reviews. Most cited a lack of innovation as the main reason, despite the game’s improvements to Gunsmith and the introduction of destructible terrain. 

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022)

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
• Developer: Infinity Ward
• Publisher: Activision

Call of Duty: MW2 serves as a sequel to the rebooted version of Modern Warfare from 2019, and was released on October 28, 2022. It continues the story of Task Force 141 as they join forces with Los Vaqueros to stop Hassan Zyani from launching missiles. The game featured newly improved enemy AI, added swimming, and reworked how vehicles operate and behave. Multiplayer also saw some minor improvements to the already well-established systems, but the biggest takeaway was the transition of Warzone to Warzone 2.0 shortly after the game’s release. Ultimately, this version of MW2 received positive reviews and even broke several sales records for the franchise.

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 (2022)

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
• Developer: Raven Software, Infinity Ward
• Publisher: Activision

A revamp to CoD’s battle royale mode dubbed Warzone 2.0, was released on November 16, 2022, just a few weeks after the release of Modern Warfare 2 as part of its Season 1 update. Like its predecessor, it remained free-to-play through the Call of Duty HQ launcher. The new update added several novelties to the battle royale mode, like revamped Gulag instances, new events such as Jailbreak, Fire Sale, and others. The biggest addition was a whole new mode called DMZ, which added AI enemies in addition to players to the original battle royale format. Over time, game modes were added or reintroduced, and Warzone 2.0 is still active as of the writing of this article.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023)

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
• Developer: Sledgehammer Games
• Publisher: Activision

Completing the rebooted trilogy, Modern Warfare 3 was released on November 10, 2023. It’s interesting to note that this game’s campaign was initially planned as an expansion to MW2, but was later expanded to become its own separate release. In it, players once again butt heads with Makarov, whose goals have grown to try to trigger World War 3. It is up to Task Force 141 to put a stop to his ambitions. Multiplayer saw some small changes and improvements, mainly in UI and larger player health pools. All MW2 maps were reintroduced at launch, with more being added as seasonal updates. There was also a massive Zombies map that took inspiration from Warzone’s DMZ, with up to 24 players able to play on a huge map.

Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile (2024)

• Platforms: iOS, Android
• Developer: Digital Legends Entertainment, Beenox, Activision Shanghai Studio, Solid State Studios
• Publisher: Activision

Following up on the success of CoD: Mobile, Warzone also got a hand-held version on March 21, 2024. The game launched with gameplay very similar to the well-known version on PC and consoles, with Battle Royale and Resurgence as the two main game modes on launch. As you’d expect, the game has cosmetic purchases bundled in, with cross-progression available with your main CoD account. However, there is no cross-platform play between the mobile app and the original game. This version of Warzone received mixed to positive reviews and is still going strong.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024)

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
• Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
• Publisher: Activision

The latest CoD title, Black Ops 6, was released on October 25, 2024. Boasting the longest development cycle in the series, BO6 sees the return of several well-known characters, including Woods, Adler, and more. The campaign features more open maps than any before, while following the story of betrayal, conspiracy, and the hunt for the covert Pantheon group. The biggest innovation comes in the form of Omnimovement – a new system that allows players to move, sprint, dive, and slide in any direction, all while being able to shoot. Multiplayer launched with 16 new maps, with more added after launch, as well as improvements to Gunsmith, Loadouts, and more. Zombies also had a revamp, with new systems and two maps at launch, and another added with the Season 1 update. The game received praise at launch and has a very active player base, with regular updates from the devs.