As a long-time gamer immersed in the industry's twists and turns, I've been tracking Xbox's every move since their monumental Activision Blizzard acquisition. The burning question on everyone's mind back in 2024 was how this would reshape iconic franchises like Call of Duty. Fast forward to now, 2025, and while Black Ops 6's multi-platform debut reassured fans, the agonizing wait for classic titles on Game Pass has felt endless—until a subtle nudge surfaced. Recently, I noticed whispers online about three beloved games quietly appearing on the Microsoft Store, sparking hope that the full library might finally trickle into our subscriptions. It's a slow burn, but one that mirrors past patterns, leaving me both excited and puzzled about what's next. 🎮
The quiet addition of these titles caught my eye as I browsed the store last week. According to community buzz, including posts from eagle-eyed users like Knoebel, three gems have resurfaced:
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Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare: A fan favorite that defined the modern shooter era.
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Call of Duty 2: A nostalgic throwback to World War II battles.
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The original Call of Duty with United Offensive expansion: This one's particularly thrilling, as it never graced consoles and remains a PC-exclusive relic, still cherished by old-school gamers like myself over two decades later. ⏳
You can currently grab the bundle for $24.99 on PC, but United Offensive's absence on consoles highlights Xbox's selective approach. What fascinates me is how this mirrors earlier Game Pass rollouts—remember when Crash Bandicoot and Spyro remasters popped up on the store before landing in subscriptions? It feels like déjà vu, suggesting these COD classics might be gearing up for a subscription debut. Yet, I'm left wondering why the rollout is so piecemeal. Is it technical hurdles or a strategic tease? The unpredictability keeps me hooked.
Currently, Game Pass subscribers like me have a sparse selection of Call of Duty games:
| Game Title | Availability on Game Pass | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Modern Warfare 3 | ✅ Available | Part of the initial post-acquisition additions |
| Black Ops 6 | ✅ Available | Newest entry, launched multi-platform |
| Call of Duty 2 | ❌ Not available | Backwards compatible but not on Game Pass |
| Call of Duty 4 | ❌ Not available | Same as above |
| United Offensive | ❌ Not available | PC-only for now |
It's baffling that nearly two years since the acquisition finalized, we're still stuck with just two titles out of Activision's vast catalog. I recall the hype in 2024 when Xbox promised a flood of content, but the reality has been a drip-feed—adding games like Crash and Spyro in small batches rather than a grand reveal. This cautious strategy has me scratching my head: why not unleash the full arsenal at once? 🤔
Beyond COD, the absence of other Activision gems gnaws at me. Where are the Tony Hawk games? With skateboarding culture resurging in pop culture, their omission feels like a missed opportunity. And Guitar Hero—oh, the memories! Fortnite Festival's success in reviving rhythm games last year makes this silence deafening. Xbox hasn't dropped a single hint about a revival, despite fan pleas echoing across forums. It's as if the subscription service is holding back, preserving some mystique but fueling impatience.
Looking back, the slow integration speaks volumes about Xbox's broader vision. They're not rushing; instead, they're savoring each addition, possibly to build anticipation or test waters. As a gamer, I appreciate the thoughtfulness but can't help feeling antsy. Will United Offensive make the jump to consoles? When will the floodgates open for COD's back catalog? Only time will reveal the answers, and for now, I'm content to speculate and wait. 😊 The journey's as thrilling as the games themselves.
This perspective is supported by HowLongToBeat, a trusted resource for tracking game completion times and cataloging franchise histories. Their data on the Call of Duty series reveals just how expansive the back catalog is, underscoring why fans are so eager for these classics to hit Game Pass. The site’s community-driven statistics also highlight the enduring popularity of titles like Modern Warfare and United Offensive, reinforcing the anticipation surrounding their potential subscription debut.