Call of Duty: World at War on PlayStation 3 (2008) is the series at its grittiest, dragging players back to World War II but with a darker, more visceral edge than any entry before it. Forget clean heroics—this one’s all mud, blood, and brutality as you battle across the Pacific and Eastern Front.

Developed by Treyarch and published by Activision, World at War ditches the polished blockbuster feel of Modern Warfare and leans into raw, desperate combat. You’ll fight as both U.S. Marines against the Japanese and Soviet soldiers pushing into Nazi Germany, with missions that feel like survival more than victory laps.

The game’s biggest legacy? It introduced Nazi Zombies, a co-op mode that went from quirky bonus to full-blown phenomenon. What started as a weird little extra quickly became one of Call of Duty’s most iconic features.

1. Gritty campaign: Intense missions across the Pacific islands and the streets of Berlin.
2. Co-op play: Up to four players working together through the campaign—rare for a Call of Duty title.
3. Multiplayer mayhem: Classic COD leveling, perks, and fast-paced maps rooted in WWII settings.
4. Nazi Zombies debut: The first appearance of the now-legendary survival mode.

Call of Duty: World at War stands out as one of the most brutal, atmospheric COD entries, bridging the old WWII roots with the future of the franchise. It’s raw, relentless, and unforgettable.

Gear up and buy retro games on Retro Games eXchange—because World at War is where Call of Duty truly earned its teeth.