Call of Duty is a cultural phenomenon that has set an unbeatable standard for online arcade shooters. Over the past 20 years, the series has introduced a vast array of maps, each hosting thousands of intense battles every season. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the 30 best maps in the franchise's history. Let’s take a nostalgic journey through these iconic Call of Duty maps.
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)
Payback (Black Ops 6, 2024)
Image: warzoneloadout.games
Nestled in the Bulgarian mountains, Payback is a multi-level mansion designed for intense firefights and versatile gameplay. Despite its compact size, this map offers a perfect balance for all playstyles. Its intricate architecture makes it ideal for setting up ambushes or skillfully evading them, perhaps by leaping out of a window.
Ocean Drive (Black Ops 6, 2024)
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Inspired by iconic 80s action films, Ocean Drive is where gunfights unfold amidst luxurious hotels and flashy cars. The map's design, featuring a contrast between spacious streets and cramped interiors, makes it adaptable to various game modes, providing a thrilling experience for players.
Crown Raceway (Modern Warfare II, 2022)
Image: reddit.com
Crown Raceway transforms garages, stands, and pit-stop areas into a fast-paced battlefield. From the moment the match begins, the environment morphs into a blood-soaked racetrack, complete with the sounds of racing cars. The map's unique design and dynamic combat ensure an exciting challenge for players, balancing out even the most skilled players' kill/death ratios.
Moscow (Black Ops Cold War, 2020)
Image: callofduty.fandom.com
Set in Cold War–era Moscow, this map immerses players in the heart of the Soviet capital. Battles occur amidst massive concrete buildings, luxurious marble halls, and metro stations. The map strikes a balance between tactical and aggressive play, with action unfolding in narrow alleys, on spacious boulevards, and within government complexes.
Farm 18 (Modern Warfare II, 2022)
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Farm 18 is an abandoned military training base hidden deep within a dense forest. The central concrete training ground becomes a fierce battleground once the match starts. Surrounding areas with partially destroyed buildings, narrow corridors, and hidden paths offer excellent opportunities for assault players to excel.
Miami (Black Ops Cold War, 2020)
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Miami transports players to the 1980s criminal underworld, with glowing neon signs, nightclubs, expensive cars, and palm trees. The map's mix of narrow streets and wide boulevards allows for a variety of tactical approaches, immersing players in the vibrant atmosphere of the era.
Ardennes Forest (WWII, 2017)
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Ardennes Forest captures the essence of a World War II battleground with its snowy forests, trenches, and blazing ruins. Known for its well-thought-out symmetry, the map hosts brutal battles where the snow is stained with blood, and every step could be your last.
London Docks (WWII, 2017)
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London Docks evokes the grim atmosphere of wartime London with its dark alleys, wet cobblestones, and industrial architecture. The map's detailed design includes narrow alleys for ambushes, spacious warehouses for active firefights, and docks for strategic vantage points.
Turbine (Black Ops II, 2012)
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Turbine spans across canyons, offering a mix of vertical gameplay, open spaces, and hidden routes for tactical flanking. The map's central broken turbine can serve as cover or become a deadly trap, making it a challenging and dynamic battlefield.
Plaza (Black Ops II, 2012)
Image: callofduty.fandom.com
Plaza welcomes players to a vibrant, neon-lit futuristic metropolis. Battles unfold among upscale clubs, glowing signs, and narrow alleys. The map's architecture provides potential cover at every corner, with stairs, balconies, and glass storefronts adding variety to the gameplay.
Overgrown (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, 2007)
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Overgrown is an abandoned village overgrown with vegetation, perfect for those who enjoy tactical gameplay. With ruined buildings and excellent sniper positions, players can utilize elevated spots and watchtowers to monitor enemy movements, making it ideal for both stealth and open engagements.
Meltdown (Black Ops II, 2012)
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Meltdown places players on the grounds of a nuclear power plant, where intense firefights heat up alongside reactors. The map features strategically important areas and multiple routes, with the central reactor complex serving as a maze perfect for close combat and unexpected flanking attacks.
Seaside (Black Ops 4, 2018)
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Seaside is a charming coastal town with cozy squares and dangerous alleyways. The map alternates between open areas for long-range shootouts and narrow lanes for close-quarters combat. With stunning views and lurking enemies, players must stay alert at all times.
Crossfire (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, 2007)
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Crossfire immerses players in a city abandoned amid military conflict. A long street flanked by ruined buildings and sniper nests sets the stage for prolonged ranged battles or risky close combat through side alleys, demanding skill and strategy from players.
Karachi (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)
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Karachi features dusty streets, abandoned buildings, and a chaotic layout. Rooftops provide ambush and control points over narrow alleys, while lower levels offer cramped corridors and shadowy passages ideal for shotguns. The unpredictable terrain requires constant vigilance from players.
Estate (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)
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Estate is a luxurious mansion on a hill overlooking a dense forest. Inside, players can fortify their positions and withstand enemy assaults, while the surrounding forest offers ample hiding spots for surprise attacks. This map is memorable for its strategic depth.
Dome (Modern Warfare 3, 2011)
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Dome is a compact, lethal map set in a ruined military base with an abandoned dome at its center. Battles here are fast-paced, with threats coming from every direction. It's an ideal setting for aggressive play, where reflexes, cover knowledge, and timing are crucial.
Favela (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)
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Favela is a densely built Brazilian slum where danger lurks around every corner. Narrow corridors, rooftops, and hidden passages make it perfect for ambushes, especially with shotguns. Players must stay vigilant to navigate this treacherous environment.
Express (Black Ops II, 2012)
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Express is a bustling train platform where rapid-fire shootouts are the norm. The moving train adds tension and can become a deadly trap. This dynamic battlefield demands strategy, speed, and smart use of cover to emerge victorious.
Summit (Black Ops, 2010)
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Summit is a snowy mountain base with various routes and tight corridors. Battles occur in open areas and closed-off labs, requiring caution, especially near cliff edges. This map offers a thrilling mix of environments and challenges.
Highrise (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)
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Highrise is set atop a skyscraper, featuring cramped offices and open rooftop areas. Known for its hidden approaches and brutal sniper duels, this map demands quick thinking and strategic movement to outmaneuver opponents.
Crash (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, 2007)
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Crash is an urban map with three main combat lanes and ruined buildings offering numerous tactical possibilities. The narrow alleyways make every skirmish tense, and the iconic crashed "Black Hawk" at the center evokes vivid memories for many players.
Standoff (Black Ops II, 2012)
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Standoff is a classic small town perfect for ambushes. With small buildings and hidden routes, players can engage in various combat styles, from lying in wait to firing from above. This cinematic map requires quick reloads and constant vigilance.
Raid (Black Ops II, 2012)
Image: reddit.com
Raid is a modern Los Angeles mansion with a pool, marble corridors, and open courtyards. Its balanced design caters to both close-quarters and long-range combat, ensuring high-paced action regardless of players' skill levels. This map is a fan favorite for its versatility.
Hijacked (Black Ops II, 2012)
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Hijacked is a luxury yacht where every deck, cabin, and corridor becomes a battleground. Its small size and limited cover create an adrenaline-filled environment, making it ideal for intense close-quarters combat.
Shipment (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, 2007)
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Shipment is a tiny, square map where chaotic firefights erupt among shipping containers. Perfect for quick killstreaks or instant deaths, this map is pure anarchy across three lanes, making it a paradise for shotguns and close-range weapons.
Firing Range (Black Ops, 2010)
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Firing Range is a military training ground ideal for mid-range battles. With multiple elevation levels, small buildings, and long open areas, it caters to every playstyle and weapon type, providing a versatile battlefield.
Terminal (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)
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Terminal blends spacious airport terminals, narrow corridors, and an open tarmac. Players can set up ambushes, control vantage points, or engage in close-quarters combat on the airplane. Keeping the enemy in sight and avoiding blind rushes is key to success here.
Rust (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)
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Rust is a miniature desert map with an oil rig at its center, offering tight yet vertically oriented gameplay. Ideal for one-on-one duels and intense firefights, there's no time for second thoughts as combat begins instantly and lasts until the last bullet.
Nuketown (Black Ops, 2010)
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Nuketown is a small yet incredibly dynamic map that has become a hallmark of the series. With two symmetrical streets, a couple of houses, and some backyards, it's the perfect setting for high-speed skirmishes. The limited space keeps players on the move, alert, and ready for action, with the added thrill of a potential nuclear explosion.
These 30 maps have left an indelible mark on millions of players, becoming timeless classics in the Call of Duty franchise. Each map offers something unique, whether it's frenetic close-quarters action, strategic battles in open terrain, or a mix of both. No matter your preferred playstyle, you'll find the perfect battleground among these legendary locations.