Legends of Call of Duty: The 30 best maps in the history of the series

Call of Duty, a cultural icon in online arcade shooters, has set an unmatched standard over two decades. This legacy includes a vast array of maps, each the stage for countless intense battles. Here, we celebrate 30 of the franchise's best maps, a trip down memory lane for Call of Duty veterans.

Table of Contents

• 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)

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A multi-level mansion nestled in the Bulgarian mountains provides the backdrop for intense firefights and diverse gameplay. Despite its compact size, the map offers a balanced experience for all playstyles, its intricate design facilitating both ambushes and skillful escapes.

Ocean Drive (Black Ops 6, 2024)

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Inspired by iconic 80s action movies, this map features gunfights amidst luxurious hotels and flashy cars. The contrast between open streets and confined interiors caters to various game modes.

Crown Raceway (Modern Warfare II, 2022)

Image: reddit.com

This fast-paced map unfolds amongst garages, stands, and pit areas, transforming into a thrilling, high-octane battleground. The sounds of passing race cars enhance the immersive experience, creating highly dynamic combat where kill/death ratios constantly shift.

Moscow (Black Ops Cold War, 2020)

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Cold War-era Moscow serves as a harsh yet majestic setting, filled with hidden dangers. Players engage in intense clashes amidst imposing concrete buildings, opulent marble halls, and metro stations, striking a balance between tactical and aggressive gameplay.

Farm 18 (Modern Warfare II, 2022)

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An abandoned military training base deep within a dense forest. The central concrete training ground becomes a brutal battle zone, surrounded by partially destroyed buildings, narrow corridors, and hidden pathways offering strategic advantages for aggressive players.

Miami (Black Ops Cold War, 2020)

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Neon lights reflecting on wet asphalt, nightclubs, luxury cars, and palm trees immerse players in the 1980s Miami underworld. The map cleverly blends narrow streets with wide boulevards, accommodating diverse tactical approaches.

Ardennes Forest (WWII, 2017)

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Snowy forests, trenches, and burning ruins recreate the intensity of a World War II battlefield. The map's symmetrical design contributes to brutal, unforgiving combat.

London Docks (WWII, 2017)

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War-torn London comes alive with dark alleys, wet cobblestones, and industrial architecture. Narrow alleys offer ambush opportunities, spacious warehouses facilitate open firefights, and the docks provide strategic vantage points.

Turbine (Black Ops II, 2012)

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This expansive map, set across canyons, offers a blend of vertical gameplay, open spaces, and hidden routes for tactical flanking maneuvers. The central, broken turbine presents both cover and potential traps.

Plaza (Black Ops II, 2012)

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A futuristic metropolis with upscale clubs, neon signs, and narrow alleys. The architecture provides ample cover, while stairs, balconies, and glass storefronts add dynamic gameplay elements.

Overgrown (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, 2007)

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An overgrown abandoned village with ruined buildings and prime sniper positions. Elevated spots and watchtowers provide tactical advantages, allowing for both stealth and open engagements.

Meltdown (Black Ops II, 2012)

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Set within a nuclear power plant, this map features strategically important areas and multiple routes. The central reactor complex, with its maze of tunnels, is ideal for close-quarters combat and flanking maneuvers.

Seaside (Black Ops 4, 2018)

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A charming seaside town with a mix of open squares and dangerous alleyways. The map balances long-range shootouts with close-quarters combat, demanding constant vigilance.

Crossfire (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, 2007)

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A war-torn city with a long central street flanked by ruined buildings and sniper nests. Players can engage in long-range battles or utilize side alleys for close-quarters combat.

Karachi (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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Dusty streets and abandoned buildings create a chaotic layout in Karachi. Rooftops offer ambush opportunities, while lower levels provide cramped corridors ideal for shotguns. The unpredictable environment encourages flanking maneuvers.

Estate (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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A luxurious mansion overlooking a dense forest. The interior provides strong defensive positions, while the surrounding forest offers opportunities for surprise attacks.

Dome (Modern Warfare 3, 2011)

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A compact, ruined military base centered around an abandoned dome. Fast-paced combat requires quick reflexes, knowledge of cover, and precise timing.

Favela (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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A densely packed Brazilian slum district where narrow corridors, rooftops, and hidden passages create opportunities for ambushes. Close-range weaponry is highly advantageous.

Express (Black Ops II, 2012)

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A bustling train platform where the moving train adds both tension and danger. Quick thinking, strategic movement, and effective use of cover are crucial for success.

Summit (Black Ops, 2010)

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A snowy mountain base with varied routes and tight corridors, including open areas and enclosed labs. The proximity to steep cliffs adds an element of risk.

Highrise (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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Set atop a skyscraper, this map offers a mix of cramped offices and open rooftop areas, perfect for both close-quarters combat and long-range sniper duels.

Crash (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, 2007)

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An urban map with three main combat lanes and ruined buildings offering tactical possibilities. The crashed Black Hawk at the center serves as a prominent landmark.

Standoff (Black Ops II, 2012)

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A small town ideal for ambushes, offering diverse combat styles from hidden routes or elevated positions.

Raid (Black Ops II, 2012)

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A modern Los Angeles mansion with a pool, marble corridors, and open courtyards, balancing close-quarters and long-range combat.

Hijacked (Black Ops II, 2012)

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A luxury yacht transformed into a battleground, its confined space and limited cover creating intense, fast-paced combat.

Shipment (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, 2007)

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A tiny map featuring chaotic firefights amongst shipping containers, favoring close-range weaponry and resulting in rapid killstreaks or swift deaths.

Firing Range (Black Ops, 2010)

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A military training ground suitable for mid-range battles, offering diverse terrain and catering to various weapon types.

Terminal (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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An airport map blending spacious terminals, narrow corridors, and an open tarmac, allowing for ambushes, strategic vantage points, and close-quarters combat near the airplane.

Rust (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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A small desert map with a central oil rig, providing intense, vertically oriented gameplay ideal for one-on-one duels and fast-paced firefights.

Nuketown (Black Ops, 2010)

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A small, highly dynamic map featuring two symmetrical streets, houses, and backyards, forcing constant movement and alertness.

These 30 maps represent iconic Call of Duty experiences, each offering unique gameplay, from frantic close-quarters action to tactical open combat. No matter your preferred style, this list has something for everyone.