All Call Of Duty games in order: The complete series list

Call of Duty has sat atop the FPS genre and the gaming industry in general for many, many years now. Ever since the release of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the series has been almost unstoppable. But with so many yearly releases under its belt, it is totally understandable that even the most hardcore fans might get confused about which CoD game came out when. That’s why we’ve put together this article featuring the complete list of Call of Duty games in both release and chronological order. 

It is important to note that many Call of Duty games aren’t directly connected and some are split into different sub-series. The two most prominent sub-series are Black Ops and Modern Warfare. However, fans continue to debate where the Call of Duty series’ other games fit in. 

That’s because there are now so many Call of Duty installments set in different time periods and featuring their own characters and storylines. This raises questions about where the classic World War II games slot in, as well as the futuristic titles from the mid-2010s. 

For the sake of this article, we will be focusing on the main Call of Duty games only and the timeline of them. That means we will be omitting titles such as the battle royale game Call of Duty: Warzone and the super popular Call of Duty: Mobile. 

So, without further ado, let’s get into the list of the main Call of Duty games in release order. 

Call of Duty games in release order

1. Call of Duty

First released: 29th October 2003

Platforms: PC, Mac, N-Gage, PS3, Xbox 360

Developer: Infinity Ward

It’s the game that started it all. The very first Call of Duty game was released two decades ago in 2003. It recreated World War II combat in an authentic and believable way – almost completely the opposite of the quasi-historical Vangard that would follow 18 years later. 

It featured three separate campaigns for players to experience – American, British, and Soviet – and received positive reviews at the time of its release. 

2. Call of Duty 2

First released: 25th October 2005

Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, Mobile, Mac

Developer: Infinity Ward

Call of Duty 2 followed the original game two years later. That makes it the only CoD to date not to launch a year after the previous title. 

This critically-acclaimed installment was again set during World War II and also featured campaigns played from the perspective of American, British, and Soviet soldiers. 

It was the first Call of Duty game to feature automatic health regeneration (a staple of later games in the series). And gameplay more closely resembled what we see in CoD titles today. However, it still focused heavily on the historical setting and its more accurate portrayal of WWII. 

3. Call of Duty 3

First released: 7th November 2006

Platforms: PS2, PS3, Xbox, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii

Developer: Treyarch

Next up was Call of Duty 3, the first main title to be released on PlayStation. It was also the first CoD game to be released on PS3 and Xbox 360 and is the only title in the series not to receive a PC release. It was also the first main Call of Duty to be developed by Treyarch.

This time, players found themselves in the Western Front of World War II in 1944. 

There were four campaigns to play in Call of Duty 3 – American, British, Canadian, and Polish. The game also had an increased focus on multiplayer and featured numerous game modes. 

Reception to Call of Duty 3 was more mixed than the previous two games, and it was clear change was needed to keep the series fresh. 

4. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

First released: 5th November 2007

Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Mac

Developer: Infinity Ward

Call of Duty 4 is widely considered to be the game that provided the blueprint for every future installment in the series. This game also set the franchise on its course to become the global entertainment juggernaut we know today. 

It at last moved the series away from World War II and into the modern day – hence its title. It featured modern equipment and weapons and introduced elements to its multiplayer that remain even now – such as killstreaks and the perk and prestige systems. 

CoD 4 takes place in 2011 and tells the story of a conflict in the Middle East as well as a civil war in Russia. It introduced some of the series most popular characters, including Soap MacTavish and Captain Price. 

It was critically-acclaimed at launch and is still considered to be one of the greatest first-person shooter games of all time.

5. Call of Duty: World at War

First released: 11th November 2008

Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii 

Developer: Treyarch

Treyarch were once again back at the helm and took Call of Duty back to World War II once again. 

It plays similarly to Call of Duty 4 with its multiplayer mode including many of the same features. There are two campaigns – one American and one Soviet. It was also the first Call of Duty game to introduce Nazi Zombies to the series. The zombie mode proved so popular it would become a series staple and would be featured in many future CoD titles. 

World at War was praised for its realism, violence, and grittiness. However, some fans were disappointed the series returned to the Second World War after the success of the previous game.

6. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

First released: 10th November 2009

Platforms: PC, Windows, Xbox 360, PS3, Mac, PS4, Xbox One

Developer: Infinity Ward

If the original Modern Warfare set the Call of Duty franchise on course to becoming the smash hit it is today, then Modern Warfare 2 confirmed it. Activision and developer Infinity Ward delivered a genuine diamond and many consider Modern Warfare 2 to be the very best Call of Duty game.

Its multiplayer mode further developed the successful formula introduced in CoD 4 and World at War, and its campaign was gripping and exciting. It followed Task Force 141 and featured the debut of legendary villain Vladimir Makarov. 

7. Call of Duty: Black Ops

First released: 9th November 2010

Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii, Nintendo DS, Mac

Developer: Treyarch

Call of Duty: Black Ops officially kicked off the Black Ops sub-series, although it is connected to World at War. 

Its campaign introduces CIA operative Alex Mason as lead character in a non-stop thrill ride focusing on global espionage. 

By this point, changes to Call of Duty‘s multiplayer mode were becoming increasingly limited with each new installment. Activision and the developers instead chose to make more minor tweaks and improvements than radically alter what had proven to be a successful formula. 

8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

First released: 8th November 2011

Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Mac 

Developer: Infinity Ward

2011 saw the end of the original Modern Warfare trilogy. It climaxed with Task Force 141’s hunt for Vladimir Makarov and World War 3. 

Multiplayer received new modes and changes were made to the killstreak system. 

9. Call of Duty: Black Ops II 

First released: 13th November 2012

Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U

Developer: Treyarch

The sequel to 2010’s Black Ops launched in 2012 and is an enduring favourite among CoD fans. Its story is split across two time periods – the 1980s and 2025 – and features main characters Alex Mason, Frank Woods, and David Mason.

Its narrative focuses on the pursuit of cartel leader Raul Menendez and the start of a second Cold War. 

It was well-received at launch, largely due to its nonlinear elements, multiplayer, and zombies mode.

10. Call of Duty: Ghosts

First released: 5th November 2013

Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PS4, Xbox One

Developer: Infinity Ward

Call of Duty entered the eighth console generation with Ghosts. Ghosts is widely considered to be one of the worst Call of Duty games, primarily because of its lack of innovation and uninspired campaign. 

Activision was also mocked for boasting about supposedly ‘impressive’ features. This included a “new dog model” for Ghosts‘ in-game playable dog, and fish that move out of the way when you swim close to them.

11. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

Release date: 4th November 2014

Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

Developer: Sledgehammer Games

After years of familiar settings, new Call of Duty developer Sledgehammer Games finally switched things up with Advanced Warfare. 

It’s set between 2054 and 2061, making it the first CoD to take place further in the future. With that being said, it still kept things reasonably grounded and didn’t stretch into full blown sci-fi territory. 

Troy Baker played the game’s protagonist Jack Mitchell while Kevin Spacey played antagonist Jonathan Irons.

Advanced Warfare is also responsible for the legendary “Press F to Pay Respects” meme, just so you know. 

12. Call of Duty: Black Ops III

First released: 6th November 2015

Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, Mac

Developer: Treyarch

Set 40 years after the previous Black Ops game, this third entry in the sub-series took place in 2065. It continued the story from its predecessor and told of yet another Cold War. 

Despite being only the second CoD with a futuristic setting, it was clear this concept probably wasn’t going to last. Its lack of innovation was criticised, as was its story.

It was the final Call of Duty to be released on PS3 and Xbox 360.

13. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

First released: 4th November 2016

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC

Developer: Infinity Ward

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare was the nail in the coffin for the futuristic setting. This largely disappointing outing took CoD to the distant future where humans had expanded out into the solar system and were on the brink of conflict.

Criticism was focused heavily on the game’s setting. Fans were growing tired of titles set in the future and were keen for the franchise to return to its roots. 

Likewise, the story was again considered uninspired and average, while its multiplayer was regarded as nothing special. 

14. Call of Duty: WWII

Release date: 3rd November 2017

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC

Developer: Sledgehammer Games

Given that fans were expressing frustration at the franchise’s direction, it was unsurprising in 2017 that Activision released WWII. This game, of course, took players back to World War II for the first time in nine years. 

While players were pleased to see the series return to a traditional style of gameplay and the WWII setting, the game’s multiplayer and campaign received a mixed response due to their formulaic approach and failure to innovate. 

15. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

Release date: 12th October 2018

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC

Developer: Treyarch

Kind-of returning the series to the future, Black Ops 4 is set in the 2040s between Black Ops II and III. 

It is the first Call of Duty game not to feature a single-player campaign and focuses solely on multiplayer and zombies. This decision was largely derided by fans, although its multiplayer received some praise.

This game also featured the series first foray into the battle royale genre with Blackout. Blackout proved moderately successful but would ultimately be phased out in favour of Call of Duty: Warzone. 

16. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Release date: 25th October 2019

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC

Developer: Infinity Ward

In a clear sign that Activision were fresh out of new ideas, the Modern Warfare sub-series was rebooted in 2019. 

It featured the return of fan favourite characters such as Captain Price and popular multiplayer elements like killstreaks. 

Modern Warfare 2019 was viewed largely as a return to form for the franchise and saw the introduction of the excellent gunsmith feature. It was also used as a launching pad for Warzone. 

Warzone would go on to become a smash hit for Activision, particularly in 2020 and 2021 during Covid-19 lockdowns when people’s social activities were severely limited. 

17. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Release date: 13th November 2020

Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software

If another Modern Warfare game wasn’t enough, in 2020 fans were ‘treated’ to yet another Black Ops title. This time, it was an interquel set between the original Black Ops and Black Ops II. 

Familiar faces Alex Mason, Frank Woods, and Jason Hudson returned once again and players were tasked with tracking down an elusive Soviet spy.

Critics and fans generally agreed that Black Ops Cold War delivered a solid multiplayer and campaign. However, it was also deemed to be another paint-by-numbers entry. 

18. Call of Duty: Vanguard

Release date: 5th November 2021

Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Developer: Sledgehammer Games

And it’s back to the 1940s we go… Again. Vanguard failed to generate much hype upon its announcement in 2021. Fans were completely tired of the historical setting, and worse still was the developer’s questionable failure to abide by it. 

It was criticised for its lack of historical authenticity, formulaic gameplay and campaign, and generic multiplayer offering.

It was also a financial disappointment for Activision and didn’t live up to the colossal successes of the series’ previous entries. 

19. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

Release date: 28th October 2022

Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Developer: Infinity Ward

Rounding out this list of Call of Duty games in release order is, of course, the latest entry in the series.

Modern Warfare II continued the story of the 2019 Modern Warfare reboot. It follows Task Force 141 and Mexican Special Forces as they take on a mysterious terrorist organisation and drug cartel. 

While the game was reasonably well-received at launch, Activision has received criticism from fans and content creators for failing to address numerous perceived issues in multiplayer and Warzone 2.0. Modern Warfare II‘s campaign was praised, however.

Modern Warfare II was also planned to be the final game in the series before it took a much needed year off for the first time since 2004. However, plans have changed and it appears the 2023 game will be Modern Warfare III. 

All Call of Duty games in chronological order

Below is a list of all Call of Duty games in chronological order. It should be noted, however, that most Call of Duty titles and their stories are not directly related.

1. Call Of Duty: WWII (1940-1945)
2. Call of Duty 2 (1941-1945)
3. Call Of Duty: Vanguard (1941-1945)
4. Call Of Duty: World at War (1942-1945)
5. Call Of Duty (1942-1945)
6. Call Of Duty 3 (1944)
7. Call Of Duty: Black Ops (1961-1968)
8. Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (1981)
9. Call Of Duty: Black Ops II as Alex Mason (1986-1989)
10. Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (1996-2011)
11. Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare (1999-2019)
12. Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2016)
13. Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2016-2017)
14. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
15. Call Of Duty: Ghosts (2015-2027)
16. Call Of Duty: Black Ops II as David Mason (2025)
17. Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2043)
18. Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2054-2061)
19. Call Of Duty: Black Ops III (2065-2070)
20. Call Of Duty: Infinite Warfare (far future – exact date unknown)

Did this list of the Call of Duty games in order help you better understand the series? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…