The best Call of Duty game is Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the 2007 shooter that rebuilt the series and still sits at 94 on Metacritic. Modern Warfare 2 (2009) matches it at 94, with Call of Duty 2 and Modern Warfare 3 close behind. This ranking follows critical consensus across the mainline series.
Two decades of annual releases means the highs are very high and the lows are forgettable. Here is the full ranking by review scores, from the genre-defining classics to the modern reboots.
94
CoD4: Modern Warfare, the series peak
94
Modern Warfare 2 (2009), tied at the top
2007
The year Modern Warfare changed shooters
20+
Mainline games since 2003
The best Call of Duty games, ranked
The mainline series ranked by Metacritic and critical consensus.
#
Game
Year
Metacritic
1
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
2007
94
2
Modern Warfare 2
2009
94
3
Call of Duty 2
2005
89
4
Modern Warfare 3
2011
88
5
Black Ops
2010
87
6
World at War
2008
85
7
Black Ops II
2012
83
8
Modern Warfare (reboot)
2019
81
9
Call of Duty
2003
The original classic
10
Modern Warfare II
2022
Best-selling reboot
The top Call of Duty games by Metacritic — the Modern Warfare era leads.
How we ranked them
This list follows critical consensus, led by Metacritic. The original Modern Warfare trilogy and the early Call of Duty 2 dominate the top, where scores cluster in the high 80s and low 90s. CoD4 and Modern Warfare 2 tie at 94, but CoD4 takes the top spot as the game that reinvented the shooter genre and set the template every entry since has followed. The 2003 original ranks on legacy, and we’ve focused on the mainline campaigns rather than the free-to-play Warzone.
The essential Call of Duty games
Four games that define the series.
🎯
CoD4: Modern Warfare
2007 · 94
The genre-changer — still the best in the series
#1
❄️
Modern Warfare 2
2009 · 94
The blockbuster sequel — peak campaign spectacle
Best campaign
🕵️
Black Ops
2010 · 87
The Cold War thriller with the beloved Zombies mode
Best Zombies
🌎
Black Ops II
2012 · 83
Branching story and the fan-favourite multiplayer
Best multiplayer
For the modern battle royale, our best Warzone loadouts guide covers the current meta, and Call of Duty features heavily in our best FPS games ranking.
Where to start
New to the series? The campaigns stand alone, so you can start with the best one.
👆
The best entry points
Play Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Modern Warfare 2 for the best campaigns in the series — they’re short, iconic and still hold up. For multiplayer, Black Ops II is the fan favourite, and Warzone is the free-to-play way in today.
Best Call of Duty games FAQ
What is the best Call of Duty game?
By critical consensus, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare — its 94 on Metacritic and its reinvention of the shooter genre make it the series high point. Modern Warfare 2 (2009) matches it at 94 and is many players’ favourite.
Which Call of Duty has the best campaign?
The original Modern Warfare (2007) and Modern Warfare 2 (2009) are widely regarded as the best campaigns — tight, cinematic and full of iconic set-pieces. Black Ops is the pick if you want a story-driven Cold War thriller.
Which Call of Duty has the best multiplayer?
Black Ops II is the classic multiplayer favourite, with the original Modern Warfare 2 close behind. For a modern, free option, Warzone is where most of the player base is today.
Do I need to play Call of Duty games in order?
No. Each campaign is self-contained, and the multiplayer resets every year. You can start with whichever game appeals — the Modern Warfare and Black Ops sub-series each have their own loose continuity.
Is Warzone the same as Call of Duty?
Warzone is Call of Duty’s free-to-play battle royale, tied to whichever mainline game is current. It’s a separate mode rather than a numbered entry, which is why it sits outside this campaign-focused ranking.
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