A Pixelated History: "Call of Duty" from Inception to "Call of Duty: Ghosts"

Image via Complex Original

Platform: Windows
Release Date: 2003
Developer(s): Infinity Ward

By today's standards the first ever Call of Duty is truly an eyesore. Fortunately, the first-person action made up for the game's pixelated environments, and offered an alternative to Medal of Honor and its one man army storyline.

Platform: NGage
Release Date: 2004
Developer(s): Activision

Remember the NGage? The mobile phone that lost the handheld game console war to the Gameboy Advance? Once upon a time Call of Duty made an appearance on the Nokia-based device, and it was surprisingly playable. But honestly, who wants to play an FPS on a cellphone instead of a smartphont? This was certainly not the series' most shining moment by a long shot.

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
Release Date: 2004
Developer(s): Gray Matter Interactive

The first expansion pack foreshadowed the multiplayer universe Call of Duty would inevitably become infamous for. Larger maps and vehicles made the pack worth picking up, and at least the graphics were improving, too.

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, Mac OS X
Release Date: 2005
Developer(s): Infinity Ward, Aspyr Media

When this game originally came put for the 360 we couldn't BELIEVE how good it looked. Gorgeous graphics and a storyline told from different perspectives (the Russian, U.S. and British armies) helped make this release replayable, and gave us a taste of what was to come. 

Platform: Mobile
Release Date: 2005
Developer(s): Aspyr Media Europe ltd

This handheld version of Call of Duty 2 was the antithesis to what we loved and admired from the 360 port. Similar to its NGage counterpart, this version was a bad idea that kind of worked. But seriously, CoD on a small screen with choppy graphics? We'll pass and stick to the 360.

Platform: PlayStation 2, Gamecube, Xbox
Release Date: 2005
Developer(s): Gray Matter Interactive, Treyarch, Pi Studios

Not even sixth generation consoles could handle the badassery on the Xbox 360's Call of Duty 2. So they received this game instead. This spin-off, a follow-up to Call of Duty: Finest Hour, was pretty cool. It was the first one to feature dual wielding and even had voice work from actors from the show, Band of Brothers.

Platform: Xbox 360, Xbox, Playstation 2, Wii, Playstation 3
Release Date: 2006
Developer(s): Treyarch

It's safe to assume that PC gamers were disappointed when they realized Call of Duty 3 would not be appearing on any PCs. They got over it, especially when they began playing through the game's numerous campaigns and multiplayer maps. It should also be noted that this was the last CoD to have a "T" rating. "M" here we come!

Platform: PlayStation Portable
Release Date: 2007
Developer(s): Amaze Entertainment

You would think developers had realized by this time that handheld versions of any CoD game would be a challenge. Multiple glitches and frustrating controls made Call of Duty: Roads to Victory difficult to play. The graphics were ok but for the most part, the game was a mess.

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Mac OS X
Release Date: 2007
Developer(s): Infinity Ward, Aspyr (Mac Conversion), Treyarch (Wii Conversion)

OK, welcome back PC gamers. Call of Duty 4 brought the series back to computers but in return, departed from the aesthetics that people had associated with the series. No more WWII beaches and jungles. Welcome to present-day warfare. (Hence the name, duh.) Many people see this departure as as the central direction of the series now, and why not? There's nothing better than the present.

Platform: Nintendo DS
Release Date: 2007
Developer(s): n-Space

Maybe we spoke too soon about handheld Call of Duty games. This one actually worked for a handful of reasons. Decent graphics, smooth shooting and an interactive touch screen, captured a lot of the feel of its console big brothers. Touche', n-Space.

Platform: Windows Mobile
Release Date: 2008
Developer(s): Glu Mobile

This version was surely the ugly duckling of the World at War releases. The top-down format was difficult to get used to, and strayed away from the Call of Duty aesthetic in just about every way. Maybe n-Space should be in charge of every mobile version of CoD. 

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Playstation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
Release Date: 2008
Developer(s): Treyarch, Certain Affinity

This Call of Duty title took us back to World War II where we explored the Eastern and Pacific sides of the war. The game was solid (it featured everything that was not present in its PS2 counterpart) but a lot of people were upset that the series didn't stick with the Modern Warfare theme.

Platform: Nintendo DS
Release Date: 2008
Developer(s): n-Space

Although visually World at War is similar to Modern Warfare, the DS version of World at War was different for a handful of reasons. It had an improved game engine, better AI, mini-games and an award system that helped distinguish this WWII-based version from its modern-day counterpart. Once again good job, n-Space.

Platform: Windows Mobile
Release Date: 2008
Developer(s): Glu Mobile

This version was surely the ugly duckling of the World at War releases. The top-down format was difficult to get used to, and strayed away from the CoD aesthetic in just about every way. Maybe n-Space should be in charge of every mobile version put out.

Platform: Playstation 2
Release Date: 2008
Developer(s): Rebellion Developments

For a series now known, praised, admired and cherished for its multiplayer, it's weird to imagine any sixth and up generation consoles without it. Unfortunately, that was the case for Final Fronts. As the last to come out on the PS2, it had no multiplayer, no Nazi Zombies mode and had a set of missions completely different from the other video game consoles.

Platform: iOS
Release Date: 2009
Developer(s): Ideaworks Game Studio

Looks like n-Space isn't the only developer that can create a good mobile CoD game. This ingenious game based off of the "Zombies Mode" in Call of Duty: World at War, had players killing zombies on the go. Yes, they deserved to die again and again...and we hope they burn in hell.

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Playstation 3, Xbox 360
Release Date: 2009
Developer(s): Infinity Ward

Some people call MW2 the best game in the Call of Duty franchise, and for good reason. And by good reason we mean the game's multiplayer. Tactical nukes, perks and bragging rights for having the most kills made CoD players competitive, which led to even better (and more challenging) online battles. Sure, sometimes people can get a little too chatty online (your mother would be ashamed), but it's a small price to pay for the game's replay value. (An honorable mention also goes to MW2's campaign. Short and sweet it's the icing on the game's cake.)

Platform: Nintendo Wii
Release Date: 2009
Developer(s): Treyarch

The Wii version of this game didn't translate well at all. No split screen, horrible graphics and a horrible control configuration (the Wii remote couldn't handle a Call of Duty game) made this port extremely difficult to enjoy. At least the customization options were pretty cool.

Platform: Mobile Phone
Release Date: 2009
Developer(s): Glu Mobile

Not much can be said about this mobile version except it's another top-down video game disaster. The concept as a whole was just bad and it looked more of like a Metal Gear Solid bootleg, than a game a part of the CoD series. (Seriously guys, take some notes from n-Space.)

Platform: Nintendo DS
Release Date: 2009
Developer(s): n-Space

It's hard to love this version as much as we loved the big brother ones, but this port for the Nintendo DS was so much fun. It was similar to previous Call of Duty DS games, but with one major difference: there was a multiplayer mode. Ah, modern fragging on a bus will never be the same again.

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
Release Date: 2010
Developer(s): Treyarch

Just when everyone thought Call of Duty couldn't get any better from Modern Warfare 2, Treyarch put out Call of Duty: Black Ops. Set in the Cold War era, this release was an improvement in ways that we probably never would've foreseen. Beautiful graphics and an incredible multiplayer mode took the game in a new direction, pleasing fans across the world who thought the franchise was a wrap.

Platform: Nintendo DS
Release Date: 2010
Developer(s): n-Space

All right n-Space, you win. You finally made a game for the DS that we love a lot. Similar to the console versions this version was epic, allowing co-op between players, an improved user interface and use of things such as helicopters and stealth fighter jets. Can we have another one soon please?

Platform: Mobile Devices
Release Date: 2010
Developer(s): Glu Mobile

OK, not bad Glu Mobile, not bad. Like previous Glu Mobile-made CoDs this one was awkward and aesthetically different from previous releases. At least the top-down format is gone, a side scroller style having replaced it. But not much else worth noting.

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii, Nintendo DS
Release Date: 2011
Developer(s): Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games, Raven Software

The Call of Duty franchise has come a long way since its debut in 2003. This CoD beefed up the series with its polished graphics and engaging multiplayer (as if it weren't already engaging). Sure, the game maintains a formula that isn't necessarily innovative, but whatever. We couldn't care less.

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii U
Release Date: 2012
Developer(s): Treyarch

This is where CoD got innovative. Future warfare technology, branching storylines driven by player choice--this game took CoD in another direction. There's a reason why the game grossed over $500 million in 24 hours. Not only was it beautiful to look at but it refreshing, too.

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Playstation 3, Playstation 4, Wii U
Release Date: 2013
Developer(s): Infinity Ward

Not much is known about this upcoming CoD, except that it will be the first of many to appear on eighth generation consoles Xbox One and Playstation 4. But apparently we'll be fighting against some "unseen" enemies. Way to make us anxious, Infinity Ward.