If you’ve ever tried to make sense of all call of duty games in order you’re not alone. Over more than two decades, Activision and its rotating roster of studios, Infinity Ward, Treyarch, Sledgehammer Games, and Raven Software, have released more than 20 mainline entries across multiple timelines, settings, and platforms. From the gritty beaches of Normandy to covert Cold War operations and even the far reaches of space, the franchise has consistently reinvented itself while keeping one foot rooted in its military shooter origins, which is why understanding all call of duty games in order has become increasingly important for fans.
This guide covers every mainline entry in release order, the internal story timeline by universe, platform availability, and a quick breakdown of what makes each entry significant. Whether you’re a returning fan looking to catch up or a newcomer trying to figure out where to start, this is the most complete resource you’ll find.
A Brief History of the Call of Duty Franchise
The Call of Duty series launched in 2003 as a rival to the then-dominant Medal of Honor franchise. Developed by Infinity Ward, the original game took a cinematic, squad-based approach to World War II, immediately setting it apart. Since then, the franchise has grown into the best-selling first-person shooter series in history, as verified by Guinness World Records, with cumulative sales exceeding 500 million copies and total revenue surpassing $30 billion by 2022. This massive growth is one of the reasons why so many players today search for all call of duty games in order to better understand how the series evolved over time.
What makes this game unique among long-running franchises is its willingness to shift settings, mechanics, and even narrative tone with nearly every release. The series spans several distinct sub-franchises, including Modern Warfare, Black Ops, standalone titles like Ghosts and Advanced Warfare, and the free-to-play battle royale Warzone ecosystem. This variety is one of the main reasons why understanding all call of duty games in order can feel overwhelming for new players.
It’s also important to understand that not every game shares the same story universe. This game spans multiple timelines, and recognizing which titles are connected and which are not is key to navigating the franchise. This is where many players struggle when trying to figure out all call of duty games in order without confusion.
All Call of Duty Games in Order of Release Date
Below is the complete list of mainline all Call of Duty games in order they were released, from 2003 through 2025. This list focuses on principal entries rather than every spin-off, remaster, or mobile port, though notable side entries are addressed separately to give a complete picture of all call of duty games in order.
1. Call of Duty (2003)
Developer: Infinity Ward
Platforms: PC, Mac, N-Gage
Setting: World War II, 1942–1945
The game that started it all. The original Call of Duty placed players in the boots of soldiers from three Allied nations the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union during key events of World War II. Its cinematic presentation and squad-based gameplay were groundbreaking for 2003, and it received strong critical acclaim. Six multiplayer modes were included at launch, laying the foundation for the franchise’s signature online component.
2. Call of Duty 2 (2005)
Developer: Infinity Ward
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, Mac, Mobile
Setting: World War II, 1941–1945
Call of Duty 2 was a significant leap forward, serving as a flagship launch title for the Xbox 360. It introduced regenerating health and grenade indicators on the HUD mechanics that would go on to define the FPS genre for years. The campaign again followed American, British, and Soviet soldiers through some of the most iconic battles of WWII, including D-Day and the North African campaign.
3. Call of Duty 3 (2006)
Developer: Treyarch
Platforms: PS2, PS3, Xbox, Xbox 360, Wii
Setting: World War II, 1944
This was Treyarch’s first mainline entry in the series and the first Call of Duty game not developed by Infinity Ward. Set during the Normandy Campaign and the Allied breakout from Normandy (Operation Cobra), CoD 3 was notably absent from PC. It introduced vehicle combat and a more prominent multiplayer mode that hinted at what the series would eventually become online.
4. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
Developer: Infinity Ward
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Mac, Wii, Mobile
Setting: Fictional modern conflict, 2011
Arguably the most important entry in franchise history. Call of Duty 4 was the game that fundamentally changed the first-person shooter genre. It moved the series away from WWII into a fictional modern-day conflict, featuring a gripping campaign following Sergeant Paul Jackson and Sergeant “Soap” MacTavish as they attempt to prevent a nuclear crisis in the Middle East.
The multiplayer was equally revolutionary. It introduced the killstreak system, experience-based progression, unlockable perks and attachments, and the Prestige system mechanics that other studios quickly adopted and that remain standard across shooters today. CoD 4 is widely regarded as one of the greatest video games ever made.
5. Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
Developer: Treyarch
Platforms: PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS
Setting: World War II, 1942–1945 (Pacific and Eastern Europe)
Treyarch returned to WWII with World at War, but with a significantly darker tone than earlier entries. The campaign covered the Pacific Theater (U.S. Marines vs. Imperial Japan) and the Eastern Front (Soviet forces pushing into Germany). World at War is historically notable for introducing Nazi Zombies, a horde-based survival mode that would grow into one of the franchise’s most beloved secondary game modes, generating its own expansive lore.
6. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
Developer: Infinity Ward
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Setting: Fictional modern conflict, 2016
MW2 picked up five years after the events of CoD 4 and delivered what many consider the franchise’s most bombastic campaign. It brought Task Force 141 Captain Price, Ghost, and Soap to the forefront and featured the infamous “No Russian” mission, one of gaming’s most controversial moments. On day one, the game grossed $310 million in the US, UK, and Australia alone, setting a then-unprecedented record for entertainment media.
7. Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
Developer: Treyarch
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, Mac
Setting: Cold War, 1961–1968 (Vietnam, Cuba, Siberia)
Black Ops kicked off Treyarch’s flagship sub-series. Set primarily during the Cold War, it follows CIA operative Alex Mason, whose interrogation serves as the narrative’s framing device. The story winds through the Bay of Pigs, the Vietnam War, and secret Soviet facilities, with a twist-laden plot that became one of the most discussed in CoD history. The Zombies mode returned with a more developed storyline and a dedicated fan base that would carry it through multiple sequels.
8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
Developer: Infinity Ward & Sledgehammer Games
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, Mobile
Setting: Fictional modern conflict, 2016–2017
MW3 concluded the original Modern Warfare trilogy. The campaign brought closure to the Price vs. Makarov storyline and included major set pieces across New York, London, Paris, and Berlin. It launched Survival Mode alongside the fan-favorite Spec Ops co-op missions. While not considered as revolutionary as CoD 4, MW3 was a massive commercial success and remains a beloved entry for fans of the original trilogy, especially for those exploring all call of duty games in order.
9. Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)
Developer: Treyarch
Platforms: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U
Setting: Cold War (1980s) and near-future (2025)
Black Ops II was a bold narrative experiment that jumped between two time periods the 1980s, following Alex Mason and Frank Woods, and 2025, following Mason’s son David. It introduced branching storylines and multiple endings based on player choices, a first for the series. The futuristic 2025 setting introduced drone warfare, robotic soldiers, and a villain named Raul Menendez that many fans consider the most compelling antagonist in CoD history.
10. Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)
Developer: Infinity Ward
Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U
Setting: Near-future, alternate timeline
Ghosts introduced an entirely new universe and story the first mainline CoD since CoD 3 not tied to an existing sub-franchise. Set in a future where the United States has been devastated by a weapon of mass destruction, the game follows brothers Logan and David Walker alongside a military unit called “The Ghosts.” It notably introduced Extinction Mode, a four-player co-op experience involving alien creatures called Cryptids. Despite strong sales, the game received mixed critical feedback and never received a sequel.
11. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Setting: Near-future (2054–2061)
Sledgehammer Games made their solo debut with Advanced Warfare, a futuristic entry featuring exoskeleton suits that transformed movement mechanics. The story starred Kevin Spacey as Jonathan Irons, the powerful CEO of a private military corporation, and delivered one of the franchise’s more story-driven campaigns. The exosuit introduced boost jumps, double jumps, and dash movements a direction that divided longtime fans but attracted new ones.
12. Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015)
Developer: Treyarch
Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Mac
Setting: 2065 (Third Cold War)
Set 40 years after Black Ops II, this entry introduced cybernetically enhanced soldiers and artificial intelligence as central themes. The campaign blurred the lines between reality and simulation and is often cited as one of the series’ most complex narratives. It featured a full four-player co-op campaign, robust Zombies content with its own standalone storyline, and one of the most polished multiplayer experiences in the franchise’s history.
13. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)
Developer: Infinity Ward
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Setting: Future, outer space
Infinite Warfare pushed the franchise furthest into science fiction, moving the conflict into the solar system. The campaign followed Captain Nick Reyes battling the Settlement Defense Front (SDF), a militarized Mars colony. The game received mixed fan reception, partly due to franchise fatigue with futuristic settings, though its campaign was praised for emotional storytelling. It shipped with a remaster of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which may have drawn some attention away from the base game.
14. Call of Duty: WWII (2017)
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Setting: World War II, 1944–1945
Responding to fan demand for a return to historical roots, Sledgehammer Games brought the series back to WWII. Following Private Ronald “Red” Daniels and his squad through the final campaigns of the war in Western Europe including D-Day, the Hurtgen Forest, and the push into Germany WWII was praised for its emotional weight and more grounded tone. It introduced Headquarters, a shared social space for multiplayer, and War Mode, an objective-based multiplayer variant, making it a notable entry when reviewing all call of duty games in order.
15. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018)
Developer: Treyarch
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Setting: Near-future (between Black Ops III and a fictional future)
Black Ops 4 was the first mainline Call of Duty game without a traditional single-player campaign, instead offering extended backstory missions for its multiplayer operators. It launched Blackout, the franchise’s first battle royale mode a direct response to the massive success of Fortnite and PUBG and featured an expanded Zombies mode with multiple maps. Its decision to drop the campaign remains one of the most controversial in franchise history.
16. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
Developer: Infinity Ward
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Setting: Fictional modern conflict (reimagined universe)
This was a soft reboot of the Modern Warfare sub-series, reimagining familiar characters Captain Price, Soap, Ghost in an entirely new continuity. Notably, it connected the Modern Warfare reboot universe to the Black Ops universe, as confirmed by subsequent entries. The campaign took a grittier, more morally complex approach to warfare than previous entries. It also launched Warzone, the franchise’s free-to-play battle royale that would go on to attract over 100 million registered players.
17. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)
Developer: Treyarch & Raven Software
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Setting: Cold War, 1981–1984
Cold War served as a direct sequel to the original Black Ops, set during the early 1980s. Players followed CIA operative Russell Adler, hunting a Soviet agent named Perseus. The game offered multiple endings based on player choices, a nod to Black Ops II’s branching narrative. Chronologically, it fits between the original Black Ops and Black Ops II. It was the first game to launch across both the PS4/Xbox One and the new PS5/Xbox Series X|S generation simultaneously.
18. Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Setting: World War II, 1945 (with flashbacks)
Vanguard returned once more to World War II, following a multinational special operations squad Task Force Vanguard assembled to stop a secret Nazi operation called Project Phoenix. The campaign featured extensive flashbacks that filled in each character’s backstory across different theaters of the war. The Zombies mode in Vanguard served as a prequel to the Black Ops Zombies storyline, connecting it more explicitly to Treyarch’s broader Zombies canon.
19. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
Developer: Infinity Ward
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Setting: Fictional modern conflict (2022–2023, reboot universe)
A direct sequel to the 2019 reboot, Modern Warfare II continued the Task Force 141 storyline, pitting Price, Soap, Ghost, and Alejandro Vargas against a global arms trafficking network. It launched alongside Warzone 2.0, an updated battle royale with the new Al Mazrah map and a revamped progression system. The game introduced underwater combat and a revamped Gunsmith weapon customization system.
20. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023)
Developer: Sledgehammer Games & Infinity Ward
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Setting: Fictional modern conflict (reboot universe)
MW3 continued directly from Modern Warfare II’s storyline, bringing back the villain Vladimir Makarov as the central antagonist. The game was broadly criticized for its shorter campaign and reliance on open-combat missions though its multiplayer, which launched with all 16 maps from the original MW3 (2011) remastered, was received more warmly. It also integrated with Warzone, moving the battle royale to the Urzikstan map.
21. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024)
Developer: Treyarch & Raven Software
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Setting: Gulf War era, 1991
Black Ops 6 marked a triumphant return to form for the franchise. Set during Operation Desert Storm in the early 1990s, the game follows rogue CIA operatives Troy Marshall and Frank Woods as they hunt a shadowy paramilitary organization called Pantheon. The campaign was praised for its spy-thriller tone, non-linear mission structure, and detailed safe house hub area filled with secrets.
Key innovations included Omnimovement a system allowing players to sprint, slide, and dive in any direction and the return of the classic round-based Zombies mode, which had been absent in its traditional form for several years. The Prestige system also returned. Black Ops 6 was deemed the best-selling game of 2024 and the biggest launch in franchise history, further cementing its importance when looking at all call of duty games in order.
22. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (2025)
Developer: Treyarch & Raven Software
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Setting: 2035 (ten years after Black Ops II)
Black Ops 7 made history as the first time the franchise released back-to-back entries in the same sub-series. Set a decade after the events of Black Ops II, the game attempted to bridge narratives from across the Black Ops timeline. Reception was mixed its multiplayer and Zombies modes received positive feedback, but the campaign was widely criticized as the weakest in franchise history, with many reviews noting its reliance on AI-generated assets and a disjointed story, making it one of the more debated entries when looking at all call of duty games in order.
All Call of Duty Games in Chronological Story Order
Because Call of Duty operates across multiple separate universes, a single unified timeline doesn’t entirely exist. This is a crucial point when understanding all call of duty games in order, as the franchise is split into different story continuities.
The World War II Timeline (Standalone / Shared Setting)
These games are set during WWII and generally don’t share direct story connections, though several characters most notably Captain Price in his earliest appearance appear across multiple entries.
| Game | Year Set |
| Call of Duty: WWII (2017) | 1940–1945 |
| Call of Duty (2003) | 1942–1945 |
| Call of Duty 2 (2005) | 1941–1945 |
| Call of Duty: Finest Hour (2004) | 1942–1944 |
| Call of Duty: Big Red One (2005) | 1942–1945 |
| Call of Duty 3 (2006) | 1944 |
| Call of Duty: World at War (2008) | 1942–1945 |
| Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021) | 1945 (flashbacks earlier) |
The Black Ops Timeline
The Black Ops series is the franchise’s most narratively cohesive sub-series, spanning from the early Cold War through the mid-21st century.
| Game | Year Set |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010) | 1961–1968 |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified (2012) | 1972–1978 |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020) | 1981–1984 |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012) | 1986–1989 / 2025 |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024) | 1991 |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015) | 2065 |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (2025) | 2035 |
Note: Black Ops 7 is set in 2035, though it draws on narrative threads from across the Black Ops timeline, including Black Ops II and Black Ops 6.
The Original Modern Warfare Trilogy Timeline
The original Modern Warfare trilogy (2007–2011) forms its own separate, self-contained universe with no direct connection to the 2019 reboot.
| Game | Year Set |
| Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) | 2011 |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) | 2016 |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011) | 2016–2017 |
The Rebooted Modern Warfare Universe (2019–Present)
Beginning with the 2019 reboot, Infinity Ward established a new continuity that eventually merged with elements of the Black Ops universe.
| Game | Year Set |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) | Contemporary |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022) | Contemporary |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023) | Contemporary |
Standalone Universes
These entries have their own independent storylines and generally don’t connect to the WWII, Black Ops, or Modern Warfare timelines.
| Game | Year Set | Notes |
| Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014) | 2054–2061 | Standalone |
| Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013) | Near-future | Standalone, no sequel |
| Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016) | Far future | Standalone, set in space |
The Call of Duty Sub-Series Explained
When exploring all call of duty games in order, the sub-series structure makes it easier to understand how each storyline and universe connects across the franchise.
The Modern Warfare Series
The Modern Warfare sub-series began in 2007 with CoD 4, which shifted the franchise from WWII to a fictional present-day conflict. The original trilogy CoD 4, MW2, MW3, followed Captain Price, Soap, and Ghost battling Russian nationalist Vladimir Makarov. The 2019 reboot reimagined the same core characters in a new universe, carrying the storyline through Modern Warfare II (2022) and Modern Warfare III (2023). The rebooted universe eventually shared continuity with the Black Ops universe.
The Black Ops Series
Treyarch’s Black Ops series is generally considered the franchise’s most narratively ambitious work. Beginning with the original Black Ops in 2010, the series is characterized by Cold War espionage, psychological thriller elements, and branching timelines. Key recurring characters include Alex Mason, Frank Woods, and Russell Adler. The Zombies mode, first introduced in World at War, became most fully developed within the Black Ops universe and maintains its own separate, elaborate lore.
The WWII Games
Several Call of Duty titles were set in World War II without forming a direct narrative chain. These games from the original 2003 game through Vanguard (2021) are generally playable in any order and share the WWII setting rather than interconnected characters (with the notable exception of a young Captain Price appearing in CoD 1 and 2).
Call of Duty: Warzone
Warzone launched in March 2020 as a free-to-play battle royale connected to the Modern Warfare 2019 reboot. It attracted over 100 million registered players. Warzone has gone through several iterations, with maps shifting from Verdansk to Caldera to Al Mazrah (with Warzone 2.0) and eventually to Urzikstan. Warzone typically integrates the weapons, operators, and seasonal content from each year’s mainline release.
Call of Duty Games by Platform: What Can You Play Where?
If you’re exploring all call of duty games in order, understanding platform availability helps you see exactly where each title can be played.
PC (Steam / Battle.net)
Most mainline CoD titles from 2003 onward are available on PC. Older titles (CoD 1, CoD 2, CoD 4, World at War, MW2, Black Ops, MW3) are generally available through Steam or Battle.net. Titles from 2014 onward are primarily on Battle.net, with Xbox Game Pass PC access expanding availability for newer releases. Notable exceptions include CoD 3 and Finest Hour, which were not released on PC, something to keep in mind when exploring all call of duty games in order across different platforms.
PlayStation (PS4 / PS5)
All modern Call of Duty releases from 2013’s Ghosts onward are available on PlayStation platforms. PS4 titles are generally playable on PS5 via backward compatibility. Following Microsoft’s 2023 acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a multi-year agreement was reached to keep this game on PlayStation through at least 2033.
Xbox (Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S)
All modern releases are available on Xbox platforms. As of the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Call of Duty titles including Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7 are included in Xbox Game Pass at no additional cost at launch, which significantly expanded the player base for recent entries.
Nintendo Platforms
Call of Duty’s presence on Nintendo consoles has been sporadic. Several entries appeared on the Wii (World at War, MW3, Black Ops), and CoD 3 was released on the Wii alongside its other console versions. There has been ongoing speculation that CoD could come to the Nintendo Switch or its successor following Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, with long-term support agreements suggesting potential future releases. For players exploring all call of duty games in order, this means Nintendo platforms currently have limited access, though that may change in the coming years.
Mobile
Call of Duty: Mobile launched in October 2019 and is available on iOS and Android. It offers a standalone battle royale and multiplayer experience with maps and modes from across the franchise’s history. Warzone Mobile launched in 2024 but was subsequently discontinued as Activision refocused its efforts on console and PC platforms.
Key Developers Behind the Call of Duty Franchise
Understanding all call of duty games in order can help players know what to expect, as each studio has a distinct approach.
Infinity Ward – The original creators of Call of Duty. Responsible for CoD 1, CoD 2, CoD 4, MW2, MW3, Ghosts, Infinite Warfare, and the Modern Warfare reboot series (2019–2023). Generally associated with the Modern Warfare sub-series and a more cinematic, grounded campaign style, making their work essential when exploring all call of duty games in order.
Treyarch – Joined the franchise with CoD 3 and became the lead studio on the Black Ops sub-series. Known for the Zombies game mode and more psychologically complex storytelling. Studios behind: CoD 3, World at War, Black Ops (I through 7, excluding Black Ops 4’s campaign).
Sledgehammer Games – A newer studio that co-developed MW3 (2011) before leading Advanced Warfare, WWII, Vanguard, and MW3 (2023). Known for experimenting with new mechanics, including exosuits and the return to WWII.
Raven Software – Frequently a co-developer alongside Treyarch on Black Ops titles and the primary developer of Warzone updates.
Notable Milestones and Franchise Records
When looking at all call of duty games in order, these milestones highlight how the franchise became one of the most dominant forces in gaming history.
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) is widely credited with revolutionizing online FPS multiplayer with its progression, killstreak, and prestige systems.
- Modern Warfare 2 (2009) generated $310 million on its first day of release in three markets, setting a record at the time for entertainment media launches.
- Warzone attracted over 100 million registered players by 2021.
- Black Ops 6 (2024) is considered the franchise’s biggest launch by active player count.
- The franchise has generated over $30 billion in total revenue and sold more than 500 million copies as of late 2024.
- The series holds a Guinness World Record as the best-selling first-person shooter franchise of all time.
Conclusion: The Complete Call of Duty Legacy
Few franchises in gaming history have maintained relevance across more than two decades, multiple console generations, and a rapidly shifting cultural landscape the way this series has. Playing through all call of duty games in order, whether by release date or internal story timeline, offers a genuinely fascinating look at how the FPS genre evolved from squad-based WWII shooters into sprawling, multi-platform ecosystems with free-to-play battle royales and decade-spanning narrative universes.
From the genre-defining innovation of Call of Duty 4 to the record-breaking launch of Black Ops 6, the series has consistently found ways to stay relevant. Understanding where each game fits in release chronology, in its respective narrative universe, and on your platform of choice makes it far easier to decide where to jump in especially if you’re trying to make sense of all call of duty games in order or plan your playthrough efficiently.
Whether you’re revisiting the classics or starting fresh, there’s never been a better time to explore all call of duty games in order.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do All Call of Duty Games Share the Same Story?
Ans. No. This game spans multiple universes. The Modern Warfare trilogy (2007–2011), the rebooted Modern Warfare series (2019–2023), the Black Ops series, and standalone titles like Ghosts, Advanced Warfare, and Infinite Warfare each exist in their own continuities. The 2019 Modern Warfare reboot universe does eventually connect to the Black Ops universe, but the original Modern Warfare trilogy is entirely separate.
2. What Is the Best Call of Duty Game to Start With?
Ans. For new players, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) or its 2016 remaster remains one of the strongest starting points for understanding why the franchise became culturally dominant. For those interested in the current narrative, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020) is a reasonable entry into the Black Ops timeline, while Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) serves the same purpose for the current Modern Warfare universe. Black Ops 6 is the most recent critically praised entry.
3. How Many Call of Duty Games Are There?
Ans. As of 2025, there are 22 mainline Call of Duty games if counting only major releases (excluding remasters, mobile titles, and console-exclusive spin-offs like Finest Hour). Including spin-offs and remasters, the number rises to around 30 distinct releases.
4. Are Call of Duty Games Available on Xbox Game Pass?
Ans. Yes. Following Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, newer Call of Duty titles including Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7 are available via Xbox Game Pass at launch. Some older titles are also periodically available on Game Pass, though availability rotates.
5. What Order Should I Play the Black Ops Games?
Ans. For story continuity, the recommended order is: Black Ops (2010) → Black Ops Cold War (2020) → Black Ops II (2012) → Black Ops 6 (2024) → Black Ops III (2015) → Black Ops 7 (2025). Note that Black Ops III and beyond take place in a significantly more futuristic setting and involve increasingly sci-fi elements. For anyone working through all call of duty games in order, following this sequence makes the Black Ops narrative considerably easier to follow.
