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

Call of Duty has truly become a cultural phenomenon, setting an unparalleled standard for online arcade shooters over the past two decades. The franchise has introduced a vast array of maps that have hosted countless intense battles each season. We've compiled a list of the 30 best maps in the history of Call of Duty, each offering unique gameplay and unforgettable experiences. Let's dive into the iconic maps that have shaped the series.

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)

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A multi-level mansion nestled in the Bulgarian mountains, Payback is designed for tense firefights and varied gameplay. Despite its compact size, the map strikes a perfect balance for all playstyles. Its intricate architecture allows for strategic ambushes and quick escapes through windows, making every match an exhilarating experience.

Ocean Drive (Black Ops 6, 2024)

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Inspired by iconic 80s action films, Ocean Drive features gunfights amidst luxurious hotels and flashy cars. The map's layout, with spacious streets and cramped interiors, caters to a variety of game modes, ensuring dynamic and engaging battles.

Crown Raceway (Modern Warfare II, 2022)

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Crown Raceway transforms into a fast-paced battleground among garages, stands, and pit-stop areas. The sound of racing cars adds to the immersive experience, and the map's unique design promotes highly dynamic combat, challenging players to maintain a balanced kill/death ratio.

Moscow (Black Ops Cold War, 2020)

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Set in Cold War-era Moscow, this map captures the city's harsh yet majestic atmosphere. Battles unfold amidst massive concrete buildings, luxurious marble halls, and metro stations. The map's design balances tactical and aggressive play, with fights occurring in narrow alleys, spacious boulevards, and government complexes.

Farm 18 (Modern Warfare II, 2022)

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An abandoned military training base hidden in a dense forest, Farm 18's central concrete training ground becomes a fierce battleground. Surrounding it are partially destroyed buildings and hidden paths, offering ample opportunities for assault players to excel.

Miami (Black Ops Cold War, 2020)

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Miami immerses players in the 1980s criminal underworld with its neon signs, nightclubs, and palm trees. The map's blend of narrow streets and wide boulevards supports a variety of tactics, making it a versatile choice for different playstyles.

Ardennes Forest (WWII, 2017)

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Ardennes Forest recreates the atmosphere of a World War II battlefield with its snowy forests, trenches, and blazing ruins. Known for its symmetrical design, the map hosts brutal battles where every step could be your last.

London Docks (WWII, 2017)

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Set in wartime London, London Docks features dark alleys, wet cobblestones, and industrial architecture. The map's detailed design allows for ambushes in narrow alleys, active firefights in warehouses, and strategic vantage points along the docks.

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 central broken turbine serves as both cover and a potential trap, adding complexity to the battles.

Plaza (Black Ops II, 2012)

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Plaza transports players to a futuristic metropolis filled with upscale clubs and neon signs. Its architecture provides potential cover at every corner, with stairs, balconies, and glass storefronts enhancing the gameplay variety.

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

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Overgrown features an abandoned village with ruined buildings and excellent sniper positions. Ideal for tactical gameplay, it allows players to leverage elevated spots and watchtowers for strategic advantage.

Meltdown (Black Ops II, 2012)

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Set on a nuclear power plant, Meltdown heats up with intense firefights. The central reactor complex and maze of tunnels are perfect for close combat and unexpected flanking maneuvers, making it a thrilling battleground.

Seaside (Black Ops 4, 2018)

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Seaside offers a charming coastal town with squares and dangerous alleyways. The map alternates between open areas for long-range shootouts and narrow lanes for close quarters, keeping players on their toes.

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

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Set in a city amidst ongoing conflict, Crossfire features a long street flanked by ruined buildings and sniper nests. Players can engage in prolonged ranged battles or risk close combat through side alleys, challenging their skills.

Karachi (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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Karachi's dusty streets and chaotic layout, with rooftops for ambushes and narrow corridors for close combat, create an unpredictable battlefield. Players must stay vigilant to navigate its city ruins effectively.

Estate (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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Estate features a luxurious mansion on a hill surrounded by a dense forest. Inside, players can fortify their position, while the forest offers ample cover for surprise attacks, making it a versatile map for different strategies.

Dome (Modern Warfare 3, 2011)

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Compact and deadly, Dome is centered around a ruined military base with an abandoned dome. Fast-paced battles require quick reflexes and strategic use of cover, making it ideal for aggressive play.

Favela (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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Set in a Brazilian slum, Favela's narrow corridors and rooftops make it perfect for ambushes. Danger lurks around every corner, and shotguns are a popular choice for its close-quarters combat.

Express (Black Ops II, 2012)

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Express features intense shootouts on a busy train platform, with a moving train adding to the tension. Strategy, speed, and smart use of cover are key to winning on this dynamic map.

Summit (Black Ops, 2010)

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A snowy mountain base, Summit offers various routes and tight corridors. Caution is essential, especially near the cliff's edge, as battles can occur in both open areas and closed-off labs.

Highrise (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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Highrise is set atop a skyscraper, with combat moving through cramped offices and open rooftop areas. Its hidden approaches and sniper duels make for intense and strategic gameplay.

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

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Crash features an urban setting with three main lanes of combat. Ruined buildings and narrow alleyways offer numerous tactical possibilities, with the crashed "Black Hawk" at the center adding a memorable element.

Standoff (Black Ops II, 2012)

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A classic small town, Standoff is ideal for ambushes with its small buildings and hidden routes. It supports various fighting styles, from lying in wait to firing from above, offering a cinematic experience.

Raid (Black Ops II, 2012)

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Set in a modern Los Angeles mansion, Raid is balanced for both close-quarters and long-range combat. Its high-paced action suits players of all skill levels, cementing its status as one of the best maps in the series.

Hijacked (Black Ops II, 2012)

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A luxury yacht turned battleground, Hijacked's small space and limited cover result in adrenaline-pumping combat across the deck and cabins.

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

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A tiny, square map with chaotic firefights among shipping containers, Shipment is perfect for quick killstreaks and close-range combat, offering a thrilling, anarchic experience.

Firing Range (Black Ops, 2010)

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Designed for mid-range battles, Firing Range features multiple elevation levels and open areas, catering to various playstyles and weapon types.

Terminal (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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An airport setting with spacious terminals, narrow corridors, and an open tarmac, Terminal allows for ambushes and close-quarters combat on the airplane. Keeping the enemy in sight is crucial for success.

Rust (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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A compact desert map with an oil rig, Rust is perfect for one-on-one duels and intense firefights. Its vertical gameplay leaves no room for hesitation, with battles starting instantly and continuing until the last shot.

Nuketown (Black Ops, 2010)

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Nuketown, a hallmark of the series, features two symmetrical streets and a few houses, creating a dynamic battlefield for high-speed skirmishes. The risk of a nuclear explosion adds an extra layer of excitement, keeping players on edge.

These 30 maps have left an indelible mark on the memories of millions of players, becoming Call of Duty classics. Each map offers something unique, from frantic close-quarters action to strategic fights in open terrain, ensuring there's a perfect location for every player's preferred style.