Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 vs Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 delivers a high‑octane single‑player campaign that takes players across the globe in a race against time, blending cinematic storytelling with relentless combat. Its multiplayer suite expands the experience with robust modes, customizable loadouts, and split‑screen play for friends on the same couch. Built by Infinity Ward and published by Activision, the 2009 classic remains a benchmark for shooter design, offering both stealthy infiltrations and all‑out firefights across iconic maps on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, and Mac.
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.
- Tight, responsive gunplay
- Memorable set‑piece moments
- Deep multiplayer customization
- Strong replay value
- High‑quality graphics and sound design.
- Extensive multiplayer content with many maps.
- Robust weapon and perk customization.
- Engaging single‑player storyline.
- Aging graphics compared to modern titles
- Limited cross‑platform play
- Some maps feel unbalanced
- Limited post‑launch content updates.
- Matchmaking can be inconsistent on older consoles.
- No native support for newer hardware.
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A groundbreaking first‑person shooter that redefined modern combat gaming
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Intense, cinematic warfare that redefines the first‑person shooter experience
A groundbreaking first‑person shooter that redefined modern combat gaming
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is the safer default choice due to its higher critic score and memorable set-pieces, while Modern Warfare 3 offers a slightly newer release with a global campaign stretching from New York to Paris. The main trade-off is choosing between MW2's higher-rated, tighter gunplay and MW3's expanded mission scope and cross-platform breadth.
Key differences
- •Critic Scores: MW2 holds a higher critic score of 85/100 compared to MW3's 81/100.
- •Campaign Length & Scope: MW3 features a 12-mission campaign spanning New York to Paris, whereas MW2 features a 15-mission campaign with scripted set-pieces and dynamic AI behavior.
- •Platform Compatibility: MW3 explicitly notes cross-platform compatibility including Mac and PC, while MW2 notes limited cross-platform play.
- •Release Date & Developer: MW2 released on 2009-11-10 developed by Infinity Ward, while MW3 released on 2011-11-08 developed by Sledgehammer Games and Infinity Ward.
Gameplay & fun factor
MW2 wins with tight, responsive gunplay and memorable set-piece moments, reflected in its higher 85/100 critic score.
Platform availability
MW3 explicitly lists cross-platform compatibility on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, and Mac, whereas MW2 features limited cross-platform play.
Price & value
Both games share the exact same MSRP of $59.99 as one-time paid purchases.
Multiplayer / co-op
Both feature Team Deathmatch, Domination, Search & Destroy, co-op Special Ops, and up to four-player split-screen support.
Content & replayability
MW2 offers a 15-mission campaign with strong replay value and online leaderboards, compared to MW3's 12-mission campaign.
Difficulty & accessibility
Both games carry an ESRB M and PEGI 18 age rating and target FPS enthusiasts with similar core mechanics.
Graphics & performance
MW3 features high-quality graphics and sound design, whereas MW2's graphics are noted as aging compared to modern titles.
Choose Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 if…
Gamers seeking tighter gunplay, higher critic scores, and memorable cinematic set-pieces.
Choose Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 if…
Players wanting a later release with Mac support and global campaign locations.
Common questions
Do both games cost the same?
Yes, both Modern Warfare 3 and Modern Warfare 2 have an MSRP of $59.99 as one-time paid purchases.
Which game has a higher critic score?
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has a critic score of 85/100, while Modern Warfare 3 is rated 81/100.
Do both titles support local split-screen play?
Yes, both games support split-screen for up to four players on console versions.