You know how it is – you're sitting there wanting to replay the Call of Duty series, or maybe experience it for the first time. But then you wonder: "Wait, which COD game comes first? And did Black Ops happen before or after Modern Warfare?" Trust me, I've been there too. That's exactly why I put together this complete guide to all COD games in order. No fluff, just the full timeline with key details you actually care about.
See, I remember trying to introduce my cousin to COD last year. We spent 20 minutes just arguing about where to start before loading up Modern Warfare (2007). Would've saved so much pizza time with a guide like this. Whether you're a new player prepping for your first campaign or a veteran looking to revisit classic multiplayer maps, nailing down the chronological order matters. Let's get into it.
Why Getting the Order Right Actually Matters
Playing these games sequentially isn't just some completionist obsession. When you experience all Call of Duty games in release order, you notice how the storytelling evolves. That transition from World War II grit to near-future warfare? It hits different when you've lived through the tech upgrades. And let's be real – jumping into Black Ops Cold War without playing the original Black Ops is like watching Avengers: Endgame as your first Marvel movie. Doable, but you'll miss half the references.
Plus, you wanna know which titles still have active multiplayer lobbies? Or which campaigns are skippable? I've got you. We'll cover gameplay innovations, audio design shifts, and even which games still look decent today. Because nobody wants to blow dust off their PS2 just to discover the servers shut down in 2010.
The Full COD Release Timeline in Order
Alright, let's roll through every major Call of Duty release since 2003. I'm including main console/PC titles only – no mobile spin-offs or arcade versions. Keep in mind some games occur in the same universe but different timelines (looking at you, Black Ops).
| Game Title | Release Year | Developer | Key Features | Campaign Hours | Active Multiplayer? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Call of Duty | 2003 | Infinity Ward | WW2 focused, three playable armies | 7-8 hrs | No (servers offline) |
| COD 2 | 2005 | Infinity Ward | Regenerating health, iconic D-Day landing | 8-9 hrs | No |
| COD 3 | 2006 | Treyarch | First Treyarch COD, vehicle combat | 6-7 hrs | No |
| COD 4: Modern Warfare | 2007 | Infinity Ward | Genre-defining shift to modern combat | 6-7 hrs | Yes (remastered) |
| World at War | 2008 | Treyarch | Return to WW2, introduced Zombies | 7-8 hrs | Limited |
| Modern Warfare 2 | 2009 | Infinity Ward | "No Russian" mission controversy | 6-7 hrs | Yes (remastered) |
| Black Ops | 2010 | Treyarch | Cold War era, mind-bending story | 7-8 hrs | Yes (2020 servers) |
| Modern Warfare 3 | 2011 | Infinity Ward | Concludes original MW trilogy | 5-6 hrs | Limited |
| Black Ops II | 2012 | Treyarch | Near-future setting, branching story | 6-7 hrs | Yes |
| Ghosts | 2013 | Infinity Ward | New universe, space mission | 6-7 hrs | Limited |
| Advanced Warfare | 2014 | Sledgehammer | Exo-suits, Kevin Spacey villain | 5-6 hrs | Limited |
| Black Ops III | 2015 | Treyarch | Full cyberpunk, 4-player co-op | 7-8 hrs | Yes |
| Infinite Warfare | 2016 | Infinity Ward | Space combat, criticized setting | 6-7 hrs | Limited |
| WWII | 2017 | Sledgehammer | Return to WW2 roots | 6-7 hrs | Yes |
| Black Ops 4 | 2018 | Treyarch | No campaign, battle royale debut | N/A | Yes |
| Modern Warfare (Reboot) | 2019 | Infinity Ward | Soft reboot, gritty realism | 6-7 hrs | Yes |
| Black Ops Cold War | 2020 | Treyarch | Direct sequel to original BO | 5-6 hrs | Yes |
| Vanguard | 2021 | Sledgehammer | WW2 with operators system | 5-6 hrs | Yes |
| Modern Warfare II | 2022 | Infinity Ward | Sequel to 2019 reboot | 7-8 hrs | Yes |
| Modern Warfare III | 2023 | Sledgehammer | Direct sequel to MWII | 4-5 hrs | Yes |
Key Takeaways from the Full COD Timeline
- The original Infinity Ward trilogy (2003-2007) defined WW2 shooters
- COD4's modern shift (2007) revolutionized the entire FPS genre
- Zombies mode debuted in World at War (2008) - thanks Treyarch!
- The "exo suit era" (2014-2016) remains controversial among fans
- Modern Warfare reboot (2019) brought back tactical gameplay
Honestly? Playing COD3 after COD2 felt like a downgrade back in 2006. The vehicle sections were janky as hell. But man, booting up COD4 for the first time... that sniper mission alone justified the $60. Still gives me chills.
Breaking Down Major COD Series Chronologically
Here's where people get confused. COD has multiple parallel universes. Playing all cod games in order requires understanding these distinct timelines:
The Modern Warfare Saga (Original + Reboot)
Release Order:
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
... then reboot ...
Modern Warfare (2019)
Modern Warfare II (2022)
Modern Warfare III (2023)
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
... then reboot ...
Modern Warfare (2019)
Modern Warfare II (2022)
Modern Warfare III (2023)
The reboots aren't straight remakes. MW 2019 reimagines characters like Captain Price with new backstories. You could play just the new trilogy, but knowing the original trilogy enhances those "oh damn!" moments when old references surface.
Black Oops... I Mean Black Ops Timeline
This one's messy. Treyarch loves twisting timelines like pretzels. Here's how to play all COD games in order for maximum coherence:
- World at War (2008) - introduces Reznov & Mason
- Black Ops (2010)
- Black Ops Cold War (2020)
- Black Ops II (2012)
- Black Ops III (2015)
- Black Ops 4 (2018) - barely connects
Cold War sits awkwardly between BO1 and BO2. Story-wise? It fits. Tech-wise? Going from 2020 graphics back to 2012's BO2 hurts your eyes. My advice? Play Cold War right after BO1 for story flow, but maybe take a break before jumping to BO2.
Standalone Titles Worth Noting
- Ghosts (2013): Underrated campaign with great set pieces (that space mission!)
- Advanced Warfare (2014): Best movement system before it got excessive
- WWII (2017): Surprisingly emotional return to D-Day
I'll be honest - Infinite Warfare's campaign deserved better. Releasing alongside Titanfall 2 and BF1 was brutal timing. That ending still gets me though.
COD Gameplay Evolution: What Actually Changed?
Playing all Call of Duty games in order shows wild mechanical shifts:
| Era | Key Innovation | Game that Introduced It | Lasting Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-2006 | Multiple perspectives | Call of Duty (2003) | Standard for war games |
| 2007-2011 | Killstreaks, XP progression | COD4 (2007) | Defined modern multiplayer |
| 2012-2015 | Branching stories, futuristic movement | BO2 (2012), AW (2014) | Led to player backlash |
| 2017-Present | Battle royale, tactical mechanics | Black Ops 4 (2018), MW19 | Current standard |
Remember when "Press F to pay respects" became a meme from Advanced Warfare? Yeah, that moment symbolized how campaigns started prioritizing spectacle over substance. MW2019 brought back weighty gun handling – thank god.
Personal Ranking: Best COD Campaigns for New Players
- Modern Warfare (2019) - Best balance of story & gameplay
- Black Ops (2010) - Mind-bending Cold War thriller
- World at War (2008) - Brutal Pacific theater portrayal
- Infinite Warfare (2016) - Underrated space opera
- WWII (2017) - Authentic D-Day recreation
Black Ops 2 deserves an honorable mention for its choices. Letting players decide Mason's fate? Bold stuff. Still mad they abandoned that approach.
Multiplayer Survival Guide: Which Games Still Thrive?
Wanna know where to invest your time? After testing queues across all titles, here's the multiplayer landscape:
| Game | Avg. Queue Time (mins) | Active Playlists | Platform Availability | Player Sentiment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Warfare (2019) | 0.5-1 | All core modes | Crossplay | Still beloved |
| Black Ops Cold War | 1-2 | TDM, Domination, Zombies | Crossplay | Mixed |
| Modern Warfare II (2022) | Instant | All modes | Crossplay | Decreasing |
| Black Ops III | 3-5 | TDM, Zombies | PS4/XB1/PC | Cult following |
| WWII | 2-4 | TDM, War | PS4/XB1/PC | Resurgence |
| Vanguard | 4-6 | TDM only | Crossplay | Mostly abandoned |
Pro tip: Avoid Ghosts and Advanced Warfare lobbies unless you enjoy playing against the same three die-hard fans every night. Tried finding an AW match last month – waited 15 minutes before giving up.
Zombies Mode Evolution
For zombie enthusiasts, the order matters:
- Origins: World at War (2008)
- Golden Age: Black Ops 1 & 2
- Experimental: Black Ops 3 & 4
- Mainstream: Cold War & Modern Warfare
BO3's Zombie Chronicles remains peak zombie content. Packed eight remastered maps into one package. Still play Der Eisendrache monthly with friends.
Common Questions About Playing All COD Games in Order
Q: Do I need to play every single game to understand the story?
A: Absolutely not. The universes are mostly self-contained. Play each trilogy as a unit: Original MW trilogy → Black Ops saga → Rebooted MW trilogy. Skip fillers like Ghosts unless curious.
Q: Which COD games work on modern consoles?
A: Xbox Series X/S has full backward compatibility up to COD3 (2006). PS5 only supports PS4 titles onward (2013+). For earlier games, PC or last-gen consoles are your only options.
Q: What's the cheapest way to play all cod games in order?
A: PC sales on Steam/ Battle.net are your friend. Console players should scout GameStop's used section – I snagged BO1-3 for $35 total last month.
Q: Are the remasters worth buying?
A: Modern Warfare Remastered? Absolutely. Others like MW2 Campaign Remastered? Only if nostalgic – no multiplayer included.
Q: How long would it take to complete all COD campaigns?
A: Roughly 110-130 hours for all 19 campaigns. Add 500+ hours if chasing achievements. Don't ask how I know.
Essential Advice for New COD Players
After replaying all Call of Duty games in order last year, here's what I wish I knew:
- Adjust expectations: Early COD games feel dated compared to MW2019's polish
- Skip if: You dislike linear campaigns – COD rarely experiments with open worlds
- Must-play: COD4, BO1, MW2019 even if you skip others
- Best value: Modern Warfare (2019) + Cold War bundle often goes on sale
My hot take? COD campaigns peaked during 2007-2012. Fight me. Later entries prioritize set pieces over storytelling. Remember when MW2's "No Russian" actually made you uncomfortable? Now we get cartoonish villains like MW2022's Graves.
Still, seeing how this series evolved across 20 years is fascinating. From storming Stalingrad with a Mosin-Nagant to fighting mechs on Mars... only in Call of Duty.
Future of the COD Timeline
With Microsoft's acquisition, expect more frequent releases. Rumors suggest:
- Gulf War-era game from Sledgehammer (2024)
- Potential Black Ops reboot set in 1990s
- More Modern Warfare expansions
Here's hoping they learn from past mistakes. Enough with the 5-hour campaigns already. Give us another epic like the original Modern Warfare trilogy.
At the end of the day, whether you're playing all COD games in order or cherry-picking classics, remember why we love this series – those perfect moments when bullets whiz past your head, your squad charges a bunker, and you nail that impossible no-scope. That rush never gets old.
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