Call of Duty has established itself as a cornerstone of the first-person shooter (FPS) genre since its inception in the early 2000s. Here is a comprehensive overview of the series, detailing the release order of each game, including the most recent titles.
The Call of Duty franchise remains one of the highest-selling in gaming history, consistently delivering engaging shooting experiences. With its diverse themes and gameplay innovations, understanding the sequence of releases can be crucial for both new players and seasoned fans alike. Below, we present each installment in the series chronologically for your convenience.
Total Number of Call of Duty Games
As of now, there are 24 mainline Call of Duty titles, including spin-offs like Warzone and Mobile. The latest installment, Black Ops 6, was developed by Treyarch and officially released on October 25, 2024.
Chronological List of Call of Duty Titles
1. Call of Duty (2003)
- Release Date: October 29, 2003
- Developer: Infinity Ward
- Platforms: PC, Mac, N-Gage
The journey of this iconic series began with Call of Duty, which emerged as a strong contender against Medal of Honor. Its unique take on WWII—panoramic perspectives from American, British, and Soviet soldiers—quickly garnered popularity, alongside revolutionary multiplayer options.
2. Call of Duty 2 (2005)
- Release Date: October 25, 2005
- Developer: Infinity Ward
- Platforms: Xbox 360, PC, Mac
Call of Duty 2 expanded the series’ reach to consoles, celebrated for its stunning graphics and diverse campaigns. It also introduced gameplay elements now regarded as staples in FPS games, such as health regeneration and grenade proximity indicators, laying the groundwork for future installments.
3. Call of Duty 3 (2006)
- Release Date: November 7, 2006
- Developer: Treyarch
- Platforms: PS2, PS3, Xbox, Xbox 360, Wii, PC
Treyarch joined the franchise with Call of Duty 3 during a period marked by annual releases. This entry began to emphasize multiplayer gameplay significantly, hinting at the massive multiplayer shift that would define the series in years to come.
4. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
- Release Date: November 6, 2007
- Developer: Infinity Ward
- Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC
Infinity Ward’s release of Modern Warfare raised the bar for the FPS genre, integrating a captivating contemporary storyline and a groundbreaking multiplayer system that set new industry standards. This title remains one of the most renowned and influential in the series.
5. Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
- Release Date: November 11, 2008
- Developer: Treyarch
- Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, PC
World at War returned the focus to WWII but successfully integrated new features such as progression systems and the beloved Zombies mode. These innovations would set a precedent for future titles, blending campaign, multiplayer, and co-op gameplay elements.
6. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
- Release Date: November 10, 2009
- Developer: Infinity Ward
- Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Modern Warfare 2 is often hailed as the pinnacle of the Call of Duty series, expanding on its predecessor’s strengths with a compelling narrative, iconic maps, and memorable gameplay. Its influence remains strong, evident in the returning maps featured in MW3 in 2023.
7. Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
- Release Date: November 9, 2010
- Developer: Treyarch
- Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, PC
Treyarch explored new horizons with Black Ops, introducing a captivating Cold War narrative and refining the Zombies experience. It has since garnered recognition as one of the franchise’s standout entries thanks to its memorable campaign.
8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
- Release Date: November 8, 2011
- Developer: Infinity Ward
- Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC
Modern Warfare 3 extended the MW storyline while delivering outstanding multiplayer experiences with diverse maps and weaponry, continuing to build upon its esteemed predecessors.
9. Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)
- Release Date: November 12, 2012
- Developer: Treyarch
- Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC
Black Ops II remains the franchise’s best-selling title, renowned for its intricate campaign and innovative multiplayer options, including the revolutionary Pick 10 system, solidifying its place as a fan favorite.
10. Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)
- Release Date: November 5, 2013
- Developer: Infinity Ward
- Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, PC
Despite shipping nearly 30 million units, Ghosts is often viewed as a disappointment. Its release timing between console generations may have contributed to this perception, leaving many fans awaiting a potential sequel.
11. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)
- Release Date: November 3, 2014
- Developer: Sledgehammer Games
- Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC
This installment marked the introduction of “jetpack”gameplay mechanics, encouraging a shift towards more dynamic movements. Though initially divisive, its legacy has grown, with elements like the BAL-27 returning in Modern Warfare 3.
12. Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015)
- Release Date: November 6, 2015
- Developer: Treyarch
- Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC
Black Ops III is often regarded as the benchmark for futuristic shooters in the franchise. The integration of thruster boosts and customizable Specialists revitalized gameplay while establishing trends that would continue into live service models.
13. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)
- Release Date: November 4, 2016
- Developer: Infinity Ward
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Infinite Warfare faced considerable backlash upon release, and even the bundled Modern Warfare Remastered couldn’t salvage its reputation. The game represented the pinnacle of the jetpack era, ultimately prompting fans to call for a return to traditional gameplay.
14. Call of Duty: WWII (2017)
- Release Date: November 3, 2017
- Developer: Sledgehammer Games
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Returning to its roots, WWII was seen as a fresh shift for the series, appealing to veterans of the franchise. Though it faced initial mixed reviews, subsequent updates helped elevate its standing among players.
15. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018)
- Release Date: October 12, 2018
- Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software, Beenox
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Breaking convention, Black Ops 4 did not feature a single-player campaign and ventured into the battle royale realm with its Blackout mode. While it didn’t reach the heights of popularity anticipated, it provided valuable lessons for future titles.
16. Call of Duty: Mobile (2019)
- Release Date: October 1, 2019
- Developer: TiMi Studio Group
- Revenue: Over $1 billion
Embracing the mobile gaming explosion, Call of Duty: Mobile has drawn from a sizable legacy of weapons, maps, and gameplay modes, solidifying its place as a leading free-to-play title and boosting the franchise’s reach among mobile users.
17. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
- Release Date: October 25, 2019
- Developer: Infinity Ward
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Modern Warfare’s reboot breathed new life into the franchise, exploring deeper narrative themes while maintaining core gameplay mechanics. It successfully reintroduced classic characters within a modern context, recapturing the interest of both new and returning players.
18. Call of Duty: Warzone (2020)
- Release Date: March 10, 2020
- Developer: Infinity Ward, Raven Software
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Warzone revolutionized the franchise, integrating battle royale gameplay with the iconic Call of Duty mechanics. The overwhelming success of Warzone, surpassing 100 million downloads, highlighted a pivotal shift in gaming, with elements that would redefine FPS expectations.
19. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)
- Release Date: November 13, 2020
- Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Set in the 1980s, Black Ops Cold War revisited beloved characters from the original while introducing multiplayer experiences that resonated well, despite the overshadowing presence of Warzone. The game achieved solid sales, earning a favorable reception from audiences.
20. Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)
- Release Date: November 5, 2021
- Developer: Sledgehammer Games
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Vanguard returned to the WWII era, but failed to make a significant impact, noted for lacking innovation and grappling with numerous launch issues. Nevertheless, it introduced player-favorite elements like enhanced Gunsmith features and refined combat mechanics.
21. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022)
- Release Date: October 28, 2022
- Developer: Infinity Ward
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Modern Warfare 2 continued the success of its predecessor, achieving record-breaking sales of over $800 million within its first three days. Though it faced technical criticisms, ongoing updates enhanced its gameplay experience, solidifying its place in COD history.
22. Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 (2022)
- Release Date: November 16, 2022
- Developer: Infinity Ward, Raven Software
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Warzone 2.0 introduced an altered gameplay pace while maintaining essential aspects from its predecessor. Rebranded in 2023 to just Warzone, it returned to its beloved mechanics, alongside fresh loot systems, weapons, and maps that engage current gameplay dynamics.
23. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023)
- Release Date: November 10, 2023
- Developer: Sledgehammer Games
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Modern Warfare 3 launched as a sequel to the 2022 reboot, introducing classic gameplay elements like a traditional minimap and map voting. Nostalgic features, including the original Modern Warfare 2 launch maps, were revitalized, further evolving the franchise’s gameplay scope.
24. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024)
- Release Date: October 25, 2024
- Developer: Treyarch
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Black Ops 6, the product of an extensive development period, introduces innovative gameplay mechanics such as Omnimovement, allowing players unprecedented mobility. The title features a comprehensive multiplayer component with 16 new maps, including the classic Prestige system.
This detailed catalog encapsulates every main Call of Duty release to date. For further gaming insights, feel free to explore our lists of all Need for Speed or Resident Evil games in order.
Leave a Reply