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

Call of Duty has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, setting the gold standard for online arcade shooters over the last two decades. With a vast array of maps that have hosted countless intense battles each season, we've curated a list of the top 30 maps that have left an indelible mark on the franchise. Let's take a nostalgic journey through these iconic Call of Duty maps.

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 thrilling firefights and diverse gameplay. Despite its compact size, it strikes a perfect balance for all playstyles. Its intricate architecture not only allows for setting up ambushes but also offers escape routes, such as jumping out of windows to avoid confrontation.

Ocean Drive (Black Ops 6, 2024)

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Inspired by iconic 80s action films, Ocean Drive transforms luxurious hotels and flashy cars into a battleground. The map's design, featuring both spacious streets and cramped interiors, caters to a variety of game modes, making it a versatile choice for players.

Crown Raceway (Modern Warfare II, 2022)

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Set amidst garages, stands, and pit-stop areas, Crown Raceway offers a high-octane battle environment. From the moment the match starts, the map transforms into a fierce racetrack, complete with the roar of passing race cars. Its unique design ensures dynamic combat that challenges players to maintain a balanced kill/death ratio.

Moscow (Black Ops Cold War, 2020)

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Transporting players to the heart of Cold War-era Moscow, this map captures the essence of the Soviet capital with its massive concrete buildings, opulent 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 within a dense forest, Farm 18 is an abandoned military training base. The central concrete training ground becomes a battleground as soon as the match begins. Surrounding areas, with partially destroyed buildings and hidden paths, provide ample opportunities for assault players to shine.

Miami (Black Ops Cold War, 2020)

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Immersing players in the vibrant atmosphere of 1980s Miami, this map features glowing neon signs, nightclubs, and palm trees. Its layout, combining narrow streets with wide boulevards, supports a range of tactical approaches, making it a favorite among players.

Ardennes Forest (WWII, 2017)

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Set amidst snowy forests, trenches, and blazing ruins, Ardennes Forest captures the intensity of World War II's fiercest battles. Its symmetrical design and brutal combat make every step a potential life-or-death decision.

London Docks (WWII, 2017)

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Reflecting the grim atmosphere of 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.

Turbine (Black Ops II, 2012)

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Spanning across canyons, Turbine offers a mix of vertical gameplay, open spaces, and hidden routes for tactical flanking. The central broken turbine can serve as both cover and a potential trap, making it a strategic focal point.

Plaza (Black Ops II, 2012)

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Set in a futuristic metropolis, Plaza is a vibrant neon world where battles unfold among upscale clubs and narrow alleys. 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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An overgrown abandoned village, Overgrown is perfect for players who enjoy tactical gameplay. With excellent sniper positions and elevated spots, it allows for both stealth and open engagements, making it a favorite among strategic players.

Meltdown (Black Ops II, 2012)

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Set on the grounds of a nuclear power plant, Meltdown features intense firefights amidst reactors and tunnels. The central reactor complex is ideal for close combat and flanking maneuvers, adding a layer of strategic depth to the map.

Seaside (Black Ops 4, 2018)

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A charming seaside town, Seaside offers a mix of open areas for long-range shootouts and narrow lanes for close-quarters combat. Its stunning views are deceptive, as danger can lurk around any corner, keeping players on their toes.

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

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Set in a city abandoned during a military conflict, Crossfire features a long street flanked by ruined buildings and sniper nests. Players can engage in prolonged ranged battles or attempt close combat through side alleys, testing their skills to the limit.

Karachi (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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With dusty streets and abandoned buildings, Karachi's chaotic layout is perfect for ambushes and flanking maneuvers. Rooftops provide vantage points, while lower levels offer cramped corridors ideal for shotguns, making it a versatile map for different playstyles.

Estate (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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A luxurious mansion overlooking a dense forest, Estate is memorable for its strategic possibilities. Inside, players can fortify their positions, while the surrounding forest offers ample cover for surprise attacks.

Dome (Modern Warfare 3, 2011)

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A compact yet lethal map, Dome features a ruined military base with an abandoned dome at its center. Fast-paced battles require quick reflexes and smart use of cover, making it ideal for aggressive players.

Favela (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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Set in a densely built Brazilian slum, Favela is perfect for ambushes and close-quarters combat. Narrow corridors and rooftops provide numerous opportunities for surprise attacks, making it a thrilling map for shotgun enthusiasts.

Express (Black Ops II, 2012)

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Featuring rapid-fire shootouts on a busy train platform, Express's moving train adds tension and can become a deadly trap. This dynamic battlefield rewards strategy, speed, and smart use of cover.

Summit (Black Ops, 2010)

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A snowy mountain base, Summit offers various routes and tight corridors for intense combat. Players must remain cautious, especially near the steep cliffs, as battles can occur in both open areas and closed-off labs.

Highrise (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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Set atop a skyscraper, Highrise features cramped offices and open rooftop areas. Its hidden approaches allow for sudden attacks, while the map is renowned for its brutal sniper duels.

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

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An urban map with three main lanes of combat, Crash offers numerous tactical possibilities amidst ruined buildings. The iconic crashed "Black Hawk" at the center adds a memorable touch to the map.

Standoff (Black Ops II, 2012)

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A classic small town, Standoff is ideal for ambushes and varied combat styles. Its cinematic feel and hidden routes make it a favorite among players who enjoy tactical gameplay.

Raid (Black Ops II, 2012)

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Set in a modern Los Angeles mansion, Raid offers a balanced environment for both close-quarters and long-range combat. Its high-paced action appeals to 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 create intense, adrenaline-pumping combat. Every corridor and deck becomes a potential hotspot for fierce firefights.

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. Its three lanes offer complete anarchy, making it a paradise for shotgun users.

Firing Range (Black Ops, 2010)

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A military training ground, Firing Range caters to mid-range battles with multiple elevation levels and open areas. Its versatility makes it suitable for any weapon and playstyle.

Terminal (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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An airport map blending spacious terminals, narrow corridors, and an open tarmac, Terminal offers various combat scenarios. Players can set up ambushes, control vantage points, or engage in close-quarters combat on the airplane.

Rust (Modern Warfare 2, 2009)

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A miniature desert map with an oil rig at its center, Rust is perfect for intense one-on-one duels. Its vertical gameplay and tight spaces ensure combat starts immediately and continues relentlessly.

Nuketown (Black Ops, 2010)

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A small yet incredibly dynamic map, Nuketown has become a hallmark of the series. Its symmetrical streets and limited space force players to stay on the move, adding to the thrill of high-speed skirmishes and the ever-present risk of a nuclear explosion.

These 30 maps have become etched in the memories of millions of players, each offering unique gameplay experiences. Whether you prefer frantic close-quarters action or tactical battles in open terrain, this list has something for everyone, showcasing the rich history and diversity of Call of Duty's iconic maps.