Call of Duty Black Ops Games Ranked: A Definitive Tier List

The Call of Duty franchise has defined a generation of first-person shooters. Its Black Ops sub-series, developed primarily by Treyarch, has been a cornerstone of this success. A new ranking from Rolling Stone has definitively ordered every game in the celebrated sub-franchise. This includes titles from the foundational World at War to the newly released Black Ops 7.

This evaluation considers each game’s campaign, multiplayer, and Zombies mode. The ranking provides a clear look at the series’ highs and lows over its 15-year history. It highlights how the franchise has evolved through different eras of gaming.

From Triumph to Misstep in the Black Ops Saga

According to the analysis, the list is topped by the acclaimed Black Ops II. The game is praised for its perfect blend of a choice-driven campaign, refined multiplayer, and innovative Zombies content. It is described as the “final game in Call of Duty’s so-called golden age.” This title set a high bar that subsequent sequels have struggled to meet.

Conversely, the PlayStation Vita exclusive, Black Ops: Declassified, ranks at the very bottom. It is cited as the “worst Call of Duty game ever made.” Critics point to its extremely short, underbaked campaign and severely compromised multiplayer. This title is largely considered a failed attempt to bring the franchise to a handheld platform.

The Lasting Impact of the Black Ops Legacy

The ranking underscores the immense impact of the original Black Ops and its precursor, World at War. These games established key franchise staples like the cooperative Zombies mode and a gritty, conspiracy-laden narrative tone. Their success helped solidify Call of Duty’s place as a cultural juggernaut in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Modern entries receive a more mixed assessment. While Black Ops 6 is commended for its inventive “omnimovement” system, the newly released Black Ops 7 is criticized for its “tonally jarring story.” The list suggests the series is currently in a state of experimentation, trying to balance innovation with fan expectations.

The definitive ranking of Call of Duty Black Ops games offers a clear snapshot of a blockbuster series in flux, celebrating its legendary past while navigating an unpredictable future.

Info at your fingertips

Which Call of Duty Black Ops game is considered the best?

Black Ops II is widely considered the peak of the sub-series. It is praised for its impactful campaign choices, perfectly tuned multiplayer, and ambitious Zombies mode. Many regard it as one of the best Call of Duty games ever made.

What is the worst Black Ops game?

Black Ops: Declassified for the PlayStation Vita is consistently ranked as the worst. It features a very short campaign, poor AI, and a barebones, laggy multiplayer experience that was critically panned.

Does the new Black Ops 7 have a campaign?

Yes, Black Ops 7 does include a single-player campaign. However, early analysis suggests it is weighed down by battle royale-like mechanics and a story with minimal emotional stakes, placing it lower in the overall ranking.

Which game introduced the Zombies mode?

The cooperative Zombies mode was first introduced as an unlockable bonus in Call of Duty: World at War. This simple horde mode quickly became a franchise pillar and was expanded in every subsequent Black Ops title.

Is Black Ops 4 a traditional Call of Duty game?

No, Black Ops 4 is a major outlier as it completely lacks a traditional single-player campaign. Instead, it focused on its multiplayer, Zombies, and the introduction of the Blackout battle royale mode.