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

Call of Duty, a global phenomenon, has redefined the online arcade shooter experience. For two decades, the series has delivered countless maps, each a stage for countless intense battles. Here's a curated selection of 30 of the franchise's best maps, a nostalgic journey through Call of Duty's history.

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)

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)

Inspired by classic 80s action movies, this map features gun battles amidst luxurious hotels and flashy cars. The contrast between open streets and confined interiors makes it adaptable to various game modes.

Crown Raceway (Modern Warfare II, 2022)

Fast-paced combat unfolds 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 ensures dynamic combat, keeping the kill/death ratio consistently exciting.

Moscow (Black Ops Cold War, 2020)

Experience the harsh beauty of Cold War-era Moscow, where clashes erupt amidst imposing concrete structures, opulent marble halls, and underground metro stations. The map balances tactical and aggressive playstyles with its mix of narrow alleys, wide boulevards, and government complexes.

Farm 18 (Modern Warfare II, 2022)

Discover an abandoned military training base hidden deep within a dense forest. The central concrete training ground becomes a brutal battle zone, surrounded by partially destroyed buildings, narrow corridors, and concealed paths, offering opportunities for aggressive players.

Miami (Black Ops Cold War, 2020)

Immerse yourself in the vibrant 1980s Miami underworld, with neon lights reflecting on wet asphalt, nightclubs, luxury cars, and palm trees. The map combines narrow streets and wide boulevards, catering to diverse tactical approaches.

Ardennes Forest (WWII, 2017)

Experience the brutal reality of a World War II battle in a snowy forest, amidst trenches and burning ruins. The map's symmetrical design intensifies the fierce combat, creating a truly visceral experience.

London Docks (WWII, 2017)

Explore the grim atmosphere of wartime London, with its dark alleys, wet cobblestones, and industrial architecture. Narrow alleys offer ambush opportunities, spacious warehouses provide open combat areas, and the docks offer strategic vantage points.

Turbine (Black Ops II, 2012)

This expansive map, set across canyons, offers a blend of 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)

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

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

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

Meltdown (Black Ops II, 2012)

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 attacks.

Seaside (Black Ops 4, 2018)

A picturesque seaside town with a mix of open squares and narrow alleyways, offering both long-range and close-quarters combat opportunities.

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

A city ravaged by conflict, featuring a long street flanked by ruined buildings and sniper nests, allowing for both long-range engagements and close-quarters combat in side alleys.

Karachi (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

Navigate the chaotic layout of Karachi, with its dusty streets, abandoned buildings, and rooftops offering ambush opportunities. The unpredictable environment encourages flanking maneuvers.

Estate (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

A luxurious mansion overlooking a forest provides both indoor defensive positions and outdoor ambush opportunities.

Dome (Modern Warfare 3, 2011)

A compact map set within a ruined military base with a central dome, offering fast-paced combat and diverse flanking opportunities.

Favela (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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

Express (Black Ops II, 2012)

A bustling train platform with a moving train adding to the intensity and risk of the fast-paced combat.

Summit (Black Ops, 2010)

A snowy mountain base with varied routes and tight corridors, offering both open areas and confined indoor spaces.

Highrise (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

Combat atop a skyscraper, with a mix of cramped offices and open rooftop areas, perfect for both close-quarters and long-range engagements.

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

An urban map with three main lanes of combat and ruined buildings offering diverse tactical possibilities.

Standoff (Black Ops II, 2012)

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

Raid (Black Ops II, 2012)

A modern mansion in Los Angeles, balancing close-quarters combat and long-range shootouts.

Hijacked (Black Ops II, 2012)

A luxury yacht transformed into a confined and intense battleground.

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

A tiny map with chaotic close-quarters combat amongst shipping containers.

Firing Range (Black Ops, 2010)

A military training ground suitable for mid-range battles, with varied elevation levels and open areas.

Terminal (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

An airport map blending spacious terminals, narrow corridors, and an open tarmac.

Rust (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

A small desert map with an oil rig, offering vertically oriented close-quarters combat.

Nuketown (Black Ops, 2010)

A small, iconic map with fast-paced combat in a limited space.

These 30 maps represent some of the most memorable and influential locations in Call of Duty history, offering a diverse range of combat experiences for players of all skill levels.