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

Call of Duty has become a cultural phenomenon, setting the gold standard for online arcade shooters over the past two decades. The franchise has introduced a vast array of maps, each hosting thousands of intense battles every season. Here, we've curated a list of the 30 best maps in the history of Call of Duty. Let's take a nostalgic journey through these iconic battlegrounds.

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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Nestled in the Bulgarian mountains, Payback is a multi-level mansion designed for intense firefights and diverse gameplay. Despite its compact size, it offers a perfect balance for all playstyles. Its intricate architecture allows for strategic ambushes and quick escapes, such as jumping out of windows to evade enemies.

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 design, with its contrast between spacious streets and cramped interiors, makes it versatile for various game modes, enhancing the thrill of every match.

Crown Raceway (Modern Warfare II, 2022)

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Crown Raceway transforms into a high-octane battleground among garages, stands, and pit-stop areas. The sounds of racing cars add to the immersive experience, making it a standout map with its unique design and dynamic combat. No matter your skill level, your kill/death ratio will be put to the test here.

Moscow (Black Ops Cold War, 2020)

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Set in Cold War-era Moscow, this map captures the essence of the Soviet capital with its massive concrete buildings, luxurious marble halls, and metro stations. Battles unfold in narrow alleys, spacious boulevards, and government complexes, offering a mix of tactical and aggressive gameplay.

Farm 18 (Modern Warfare II, 2022)

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Hidden deep in a dense forest, Farm 18 is an abandoned military training base. The central concrete training ground becomes a fierce battleground, surrounded by partially destroyed buildings and narrow corridors. This map is a haven for assault players looking for strategic advantages.

Miami (Black Ops Cold War, 2020)

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Miami immerses players in the 1980s criminal underworld with its glowing neon signs, nightclubs, and palm trees. The map's layout, combining narrow streets and wide boulevards, supports a variety of tactical approaches, making it a favorite for many players.

Ardennes Forest (WWII, 2017)

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Ardennes Forest transports players to the heart of one of World War II's fiercest battles, with snowy forests, trenches, and blazing ruins. Its well-thought-out symmetry and brutal combat make every step a potential life-or-death decision.

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 supports various tactics, from ambushes in narrow alleys to active firefights in spacious warehouses and strategic vantage points at 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 can serve as both cover and a trap, making it a critical area for intense battles.

Plaza (Black Ops II, 2012)

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

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

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Overgrown is an abandoned village perfect for tactical players who enjoy camping. With excellent sniper positions and elevated spots, it allows for both stealth and open engagements, making it a strategic favorite.

Meltdown (Black Ops II, 2012)

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Set on the grounds of a nuclear power plant, Meltdown features intense firefights around strategically important areas and multiple routes. The central reactor complex, with its maze of tunnels, is ideal for close combat and surprise flanking attacks.

Seaside (Black Ops 4, 2018)

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Seaside offers a charming yet dangerous seaside town with open areas for long-range shootouts and narrow lanes for close quarters. The stunning views can be deceptive, as enemies could be lurking around any corner.

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

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Crossfire places players in a city abandoned during a military conflict. The long street, flanked by ruined buildings and sniper nests, offers opportunities for both prolonged ranged battles and close combat through side alleys, challenging even the most skilled players.

Karachi (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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Karachi's dusty streets and chaotic layout, with rooftops for ambushes and lower levels for close-quarters combat, create an unpredictable battlefield. Players must stay vigilant to navigate its city ruins and execute flanking maneuvers 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 positions, while the forest offers ample cover for surprise attacks, making it memorable from both campaign and multiplayer modes.

Dome (Modern Warfare 3, 2011)

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Dome is a compact yet lethal map centered around a ruined military base with an abandoned dome. Its fast-paced battles demand quick reflexes, knowledge of cover, and precise timing, making it ideal for aggressive play.

Favela (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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Favela is a densely built Brazilian slum district perfect for sudden ambushes. With narrow corridors, rooftops, and hidden passages, it's a dangerous playground where shotguns reign supreme.

Express (Black Ops II, 2012)

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Express features rapid-fire shootouts on a busy train platform, with a moving train adding tension and potential traps. This dynamic battlefield rewards strategy, speed, and smart use of cover.

Summit (Black Ops, 2010)

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Summit is a snowy mountain base with various routes and tight corridors. Battles occur in both open areas and closed-off labs, requiring constant caution, especially near the steep cliffs.

Highrise (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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Set atop a skyscraper, Highrise offers combat through cramped offices and open rooftop areas. Its hidden approaches and brutal sniper duels make it a thrilling map for tactical players.

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

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Crash is an urban map with three main lanes of combat, featuring ruined buildings and narrow alleyways. The iconic crashed "Black Hawk" at the center adds a memorable touch to this tactical battleground.

Standoff (Black Ops II, 2012)

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Standoff is a classic small town ideal for ambushes, with small buildings and hidden routes. Its cinematic feel and fast-paced action make it a favorite for players of all skill levels.

Raid (Black Ops II, 2012)

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Raid features a modern Los Angeles mansion with a pool, marble corridors, and open courtyards. Its balanced design supports both close-quarters and long-range combat, ensuring high-paced action for all players.

Hijacked (Black Ops II, 2012)

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Hijacked is a luxury yacht where every corridor and deck becomes a battleground. Its small space and limited cover create an adrenaline-pumping environment for fierce combat.

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

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Shipment is a tiny, square map with chaotic firefights among shipping containers. Ideal for quick killstreaks and close-range weapons, it's a paradise for those who thrive in anarchy.

Firing Range (Black Ops, 2010)

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Firing Range is a military training ground perfect for mid-range battles. With multiple elevation levels and open areas, it caters to various playstyles and weapon types.

Terminal (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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Terminal blends spacious airport terminals, narrow corridors, and an open tarmac. Players can set up ambushes, control vantage points, or engage in close-quarters combat on the airplane, making it a versatile map for strategic play.

Rust (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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Rust is a miniature desert map with an oil rig at its center, offering tight, vertically oriented gameplay. Perfect for one-on-one duels and intense firefights, it leaves no room for hesitation from the moment the match begins.

Nuketown (Black Ops, 2010)

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Nuketown is a small yet incredibly dynamic map that has become a hallmark of the series. With its symmetrical streets and limited space, it forces players to stay on the move and remain alert, adding to the thrill with the risk of a nuclear explosion.

These 30 maps have left an indelible mark on the memories of millions of players, becoming classics within the Call of Duty franchise. Each map offers something unique, whether it's frantic close-quarters action, strategic battles in open terrain, or a blend of both. No matter your preferred playstyle, you're sure to find the perfect battleground in this list.