Top 10 Craziest Call of Duty Moments

“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” (2011)
Taking control of Price, the whole climax is a pulse pounding race to catch Makarov, starting with storming the hotel while wearing a juggernaut suit, taking down an attack chopper, and then jumping off the rooftop to Makarov’s helicopter. At this point, Price knows he is past the point of no return, and he doesn’t care, as long as he gets his vengeance, and boy is it sweet. The most intense moment comes when Price strangles Makarov with a steel cord and breaks the glass beneath them. Makarov had this coming to him for a long time, and it proves to be one of the most satisfying conclusions in all of Call of Duty history. Objective completed.

“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” (2009)
Okay, a betrayal is one thing, but also then killing two favorite characters takes things a bit too far. Players were left holding their controllers in shock and anger as everything went to hell. Shot in the stomach, Roach can only watch as he and Ghost are then tossed aside and set on fire. Not the best way to go. Fans did not see this coming, and it was one of the most heartbreaking moments in the series, all so that Shepherd can hide the truth and come out of this as a war hero, rather than the instigator. No, we’re not crying, there’s just something in our eyes.

“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” (2009)
All hell breaks loose in this initially stealthy level, and being a two man team, the only thing Roach and Soap can do is escape when a hundred Russian soldiers are trying to kill them. Using snowmobiles for their getaway, the pair escape through the tricky terrain, avoiding trees, rocks, gunfire and other snowmobiles alike to get to their escape helicopter, which is—yep, you guessed it—at bingo fuel. Can’t have a Call of Duty game without racing against the clock in some way or another. Still, on top of all their other obstacles, they avoid an enemy chopper, eventually culminating to a giant gorge that can only be jumped when at full speed. Talk about pressure.

“Call of Duty: Black Ops” (2010)
Not just a shocking moment, this scene is a grand example of great storytelling. “What do the numbers mean?” is something players are asking along with the protagonists throughout the campaign, and this moment delivers one of the craziest twists in the history of Call of Duty. Reznov, a character you supposedly play side-by-side with a lot of the game, actually died a while ago, and Mason has just been imagining him. All of Reznov’s actions were in fact Mason’s, a side-effect of the brainwashing Mason endured. Definitely a crazy moment. This time the pun is intended.

“Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare” (2007)
The first Modern Warfare brought a lot of new things to the table for the series, and this moment was one of the first that took players completely unaware of just how cinematic and affecting the series could be. Getting caught in a nuclear explosion and watching everyone in the city get destroyed is jaw-dropping enough, but then you get to continue playing as the dying Paul Jackson, witnessing the devastation and horror of it. The level in which the nuclear device is detonated is called Shock and Awe, and that’s exactly what we were feeling when it happened.

“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” (2011)
Say what you want about Call of Duty, but the set-pieces are always stunning, and that goes for when they’ve being completely obliterated, too. Take this mission, for example. A firefight ensues after the plane you’re on plummets to the ground after being boarded by hijackers. It’s a non-stop action-packed thrill ride, as there a moments when the plane drops altitude so quickly, you and your enemies float while exchanging fire. Watching the plane crash and half of it fall apart before exploding is an absolutely incredible sequence that’ll have you holding your breath.

“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” (2009)
Not only crazy, this sequence is generally exciting, both to watch and to participate in. You get to observe from the International Space Station as a nuclear device is detonated in the upper atmosphere, causing an EMP which affects the surface of the planet. Now in control of Ramirez, you witness planes and helicopters fall from the sky, crashing into fiery explosions around you. Want to know the most insane part? You have to actually run to shelter while dodging the falling aircrafts. This is after already being involved in a helicopter crash yourself and barely surviving. No rest for the weary.

“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” (2009)
You knew this one was coming. Definitely pushing boundaries, No Russian is not only the most controversial level in the Call of Duty series, but also one of the most controversial level’s in video game history. The mission has you play an undercover character, and involves you shooting down hundreds of innocent civilians in a Russian airport, which plays a major role in starting World War III. No other game has put you front and center as an instigator in a civilian-dense terrorist attack, and although you can completely opt out in participating in the level with no repercussions, many people found this particular moment to be highly disturbing and even sickening. Tasteless, or effective and impactful storytelling? You decide.

“Call of Duty: Black Ops 3” (2015)
A first-person point of view undoubtedly adds to the immersion of this visceral and brutal moment, in which a robot rips both your arms off and beats you almost to death. Oh, and it also breaks your leg. Taking place in the first mission of the game, you know you’re going to be in for one hell of a ride going forward. The fact that the sequence is quite long, and with your characters screaming in its entirety adds to the shock factor. Robots, hey… almost never works out when they’re involved.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few Honorable Mentions:
Attack on ODIN Station
“Call of Duty: Ghosts” (2013)
Mason Kills JFK?
“Call of Duty: Black Ops” (2010)
Inside Sarah Hall’s DNI
“Call of Duty: Black Ops 3” (2015)

“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2”'
We can’t have Shepherd betray us, and then not get revenge, right? That’s where this moment comes in, and it’s pretty damn awesome if you ask us. Crazy, yes, but crazy awesome. Everything depends on Soap in this moment, only he’s got a knife in his chest. Bleeding out, he can only watch as Shepherd beats on Price. At this stage there’s only one thing Soap can do. Yep, pull the knife out of his chest and hurl it at Shepherd. Blood spurts out of his eye as he falls back in slow-motion. That was for Ghost and Roach.

Agree with our list? Which moment do you find the most crazy? For more jaw-dropping Top 10s published daily, subscribe to WatchMojo.com