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 unparalleled standard for over 20 years. This legacy includes a vast collection of maps, each the backdrop for countless intense battles. Below, we present 30 of the best maps in franchise history, a nostalgic journey through Call of Duty's iconic battlegrounds.

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 setting for intense firefights and diverse gameplay. Despite its compact size, the map expertly balances various playstyles. Its intricate design allows for both strategic ambushes and skillful escapes.

Ocean Drive (Black Ops 6, 2024)

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Inspired by classic 80s action movies, Ocean Drive unfolds amidst luxurious hotels and flashy cars. The juxtaposition of spacious streets and confined interiors makes it suitable for a wide range of game modes.

Crown Raceway (Modern Warfare II, 2022)

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This map offers fast-paced combat amongst garages, stands, and pit areas, transforming the environment into a high-octane battleground. The sounds of passing race cars enhance the immersive experience. Its unique design fosters highly dynamic combat, resulting in constantly shifting kill/death ratios.

Moscow (Black Ops Cold War, 2020)

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Cold War-era Moscow, a blend of harsh beauty and hidden dangers, places players in the heart of the Soviet capital. Showdowns unfold amidst imposing concrete buildings, opulent marble halls, and sprawling metro stations, balancing tactical and aggressive gameplay.

Farm 18 (Modern Warfare II, 2022)

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A derelict military training base hidden deep within a dense forest. The central concrete training ground becomes a fierce battle zone, surrounded by partially destroyed buildings, narrow corridors, and concealed paths ideal for aggressive assaults.

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 combines narrow streets with wide boulevards, catering to diverse tactical approaches.

Ardennes Forest (WWII, 2017)

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Snowy forests, trenches, and ruined buildings create a visceral World War II battlefield. The map's symmetrical design results in brutal, intense combat.

London Docks (WWII, 2017)

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Wartime London is evoked through 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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Spanning across canyons, Turbine offers vertical gameplay, open spaces, and hidden routes for flanking maneuvers. The central, broken turbine serves as both cover and a potential trap.

Plaza (Black Ops II, 2012)

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Plaza's futuristic metropolis features 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 allow for strategic monitoring of enemy movement, facilitating both stealth and open engagements.

Meltdown (Black Ops II, 2012)

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Set within a nuclear power plant, Meltdown features strategically important areas and multiple access routes. The reactor complex, a maze of tunnels, is perfect for close-quarters combat and surprise flanking attacks.

Seaside (Black Ops 4, 2018)

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A charming seaside town with both open areas for long-range combat and narrow lanes ideal for close-quarters engagements. The beautiful setting shouldn't distract from the ever-present danger lurking around every corner.

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

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A war-torn city features a long 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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Karachi's dusty streets, abandoned buildings, and chaotic layout offer diverse combat opportunities. Rooftops provide ambush points, while lower levels offer tight corridors for close-range weapons.

Estate (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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A luxurious mansion overlooking a dense forest offers both interior fortification and exterior cover for surprise attacks.

Dome (Modern Warfare 3, 2011)

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Dome's compact size and ruined military base setting create fast-paced combat with fire coming from all directions.

Favela (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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A densely packed Brazilian favela offers narrow corridors, rooftops, and hidden passages, perfect for surprise attacks.

Express (Black Ops II, 2012)

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A busy train platform provides a dynamic battlefield with a moving train adding to the tension and potential hazards.

Summit (Black Ops, 2010)

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A snowy mountain base with varied routes and tight corridors offers combat in both open and enclosed spaces.

Highrise (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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Set atop a skyscraper, Highrise allows for movement through cramped offices and open rooftop areas, famous for its hidden approaches and sniper duels.

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

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An urban map with three main lanes of combat and ruined buildings offers tactical possibilities and tense alleyway skirmishes.

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 mansion in Los Angeles with a pool, marble corridors, and open courtyards balances close-quarters and long-range combat.

Hijacked (Black Ops II, 2012)

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A luxury yacht transforms every deck and corridor into a battleground for intense close-quarters combat.

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

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A tiny map with chaotic firefights amongst shipping containers, perfect for close-range weapons and fast-paced action.

Firing Range (Black Ops, 2010)

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A military training ground suitable for mid-range battles, offering varied terrain and combat styles.

Terminal (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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An airport setting blends spacious terminals, narrow corridors, and an open tarmac, allowing for ambushes, vantage point control, and close-quarters combat.

Rust (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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A miniature desert map with a central oil rig offers tight, vertically oriented gameplay ideal for intense duels.

Nuketown (Black Ops, 2010)

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This small, dynamic map, a series hallmark, features fast-paced skirmishes in a limited space.

These 30 maps represent a significant part of Call of Duty's legacy, each offering unique gameplay experiences. Whether you prefer close-quarters combat or strategic open warfare, this list offers a map for every style.