Call of Duty: Black Ops vs Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Set during the Cold War, Call of Duty: Black Ops delivers a gritty single‑player campaign that blends historical missions with secret operations. Players assume the role of elite operatives, navigating intense firefights and stealth scenarios across iconic locations. The game also introduced the iconic Zombies mode, robust multiplayer, and split‑screen co‑op, offering endless replayability for both casual and competitive gamers.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 delivers a cinematic single‑player campaign that spans continents, featuring high‑octane missions and a gripping storyline. The game also offers robust multiplayer modes, co‑operative missions, and split‑screen play for up to four players on the same console.
- Engaging Cold War storyline with memorable characters.
- Highly replayable Zombies mode with deep secrets.
- Strong multiplayer variety and customization.
- Split‑screen support for local co‑op.
- High‑quality graphics and sound design.
- Extensive multiplayer content with many maps.
- Robust weapon and perk customization.
- Engaging single‑player storyline.
- No cross‑platform play between consoles and PC.
- Graphics are dated compared to modern releases.
- Matchmaking can be inconsistent on older consoles.
- Limited post‑launch content updates.
- Matchmaking can be inconsistent on older consoles.
- No native support for newer hardware.
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataBoth games offer identical pricing and critical scores, but Call of Duty: Black Ops focuses on Cold War espionage with a dedicated Zombies mode, while Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 delivers global warfare with Spec Ops missions and cross-platform compatibility.
Key differences
- •Black Ops features a Cold War campaign and the popular Zombies mode, whereas Modern Warfare 3 features a global 12-mission campaign and Spec Ops missions.
- •Modern Warfare 3 supports cross-platform compatibility, while Black Ops explicitly lacks cross-platform play between consoles and PC.
- •Black Ops supports split-screen for up to 12 players per match in online multiplayer and co-op, while Modern Warfare 3 supports split-screen for up to four players on the same console.
- •Black Ops is developed by Treyarch and published by multiple companies including Square Enix, whereas Modern Warfare 3 is developed by Sledgehammer Games and Infinity Ward and published exclusively by Activision.
Gameplay & fun factor
Both hold an identical critic score of 81/100 and target core FPS enthusiasts with action-packed warfare.
Platform availability
Modern Warfare 3 features cross-platform compatibility, whereas Black Ops lacks cross-platform play between consoles and PC.
Price & value
Both games share the exact same MSRP of $59.99 as a one-time paid purchase.
Multiplayer / co-op
Black Ops includes a dedicated Zombies mode with progressive difficulty and split-screen co-op, compared to Modern Warfare 3's Spec Ops missions.
Content & replayability
Black Ops offers high replayability through its Zombies mode with deep secrets and progressive difficulty.
Difficulty & accessibility
Both carry mature age ratings (ESRB M, PEGI 18) and cater to core and hardcore FPS enthusiasts.
Graphics & performance
Modern Warfare 3 boasts high-quality graphics and sound design, whereas Black Ops has graphics dated compared to modern releases.
Choose Call of Duty: Black Ops if…
Choose Black Ops if you want a Cold War setting and a dedicated Zombies mode.
Choose Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 if…
Choose Modern Warfare 3 if you need cross-platform compatibility and Spec Ops missions.
Common questions
Do both games cost the same?
Yes, both Call of Duty: Black Ops and Modern Warfare 3 have an MSRP of $59.99.
Which game features a Zombies mode?
Call of Duty: Black Ops features a dedicated Zombies mode with progressive difficulty and hidden Easter eggs.
Do these games support cross-platform play?
Modern Warfare 3 features cross-platform compatibility, while Black Ops has no cross-platform play between consoles and PC.