Kristina "Kristen" Tomilova
The "Zombie" mode in Call of Duty has long been iconic among fans of the series, offering engaging gameplay, atmospheric locations, and unique mechanics. Over the years, around 32 maps have been created. Some are remembered for their intense atmosphere and challenging trials, while others stand out for epic battles and unexpected plot twists.
In this article, we've compiled the most popular and interesting game zones that have left a lasting impact on the zombie theme in the Call of Duty series.
Kino der Toten
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This iconic map from Call of Duty: Black Ops takes place in an abandoned cinema in Germany in 1963. Players must fight hordes of the undead, explore dark corridors, and utilize key mechanics like the teleporter, Pack-a-Punch, perk machines, and the Mystery Box with random weapons.
The location stands out for its atmosphere, convenient structure, and tactical possibilities. Thanks to its thoughtful design and dynamic gameplay, Kino der Toten became one of the most beloved maps in zombie mode history, appealing to both newcomers and veterans of the Call of Duty series.
Ascension
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The eighth map in the zombie mode for Call of Duty: Black Ops, released as part of the DLC First Strike. The action takes place on an abandoned Soviet cosmodrome, overtaken by zombie hordes.
Players face new enemy types, including Space Monkeys. Additionally, new perks such as PhD Flopper and Stamin-Up are introduced, expanding players' tactical options, each costing 2,000 points. However, the original version of the map in Black Ops does not feature Double Tap Root Beer. Players can have up to four perks at once, unless they get an extra random perk from the bottle.
Mob of the Dead
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Also known as Alcatraz Island and Sunset Strip, this map takes place in the famous Alcatraz prison and near the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in Black Ops II. The events occur during Prohibition in the United States. Players take on the roles of four gangster prisoners trying to execute an escape plan on the fateful night when the prison is overrun by zombies.
The map introduces unique mechanics such as the Afterlife mode, allowing players to interact with objects and revive themselves, as well as the ability to build and fly an escape plane. Mob of the Dead is known for its dark atmosphere, intriguing storyline, and complex mechanics.
Origins
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This Zombie map in Call of Duty: Black Ops II is part of the Apocalypse DLC. Players are transported to the battlefields of World War I in France, where they control the original team — "Tank" Dempsey, Nikolai, and Takeo.
The location introduces many new elements, including 115 generators, a new enemy — the Panzer-Soldier, and three massive robots patrolling the area. Weapons from World at War, PhD Flopper and Electric Cherry perks return, while the Mystery Box and Pack-a-Punch machines receive updated designs. Additionally, there are new types of power-ups and a complex Easter egg, making the map rich and engaging for players.
Der Eisendrache
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This map was introduced in the Awakening DLC for Call of Duty: Black Ops III. The events take place in the Austrian Griffin Castle, also known as Eagle's Nest.
New gameplay elements are introduced, including upgraded versions of the Wrath of the Ancients bow, the gravity spikes Ragnarok DG-4, and a teleportation system. Players must battle hordes of zombies, Panzer Soldats, and Hellhounds, while solving puzzles and completing tasks to advance the story and uncover the castle's secrets.
Der Eisendrache received positive feedback for its difficulty, atmosphere, and depth of gameplay, making it one of the most memorable maps in the zombie mode series.
Shadows of Evil
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Set in the fictional city of Morg City during the 1940s in Call of Duty: Black Ops III, players take on the roles of four characters: Nero Blackstone, Jessica Rose, Jack Vincent, and Floyd Campbell, each with a dark past. Under the guidance of the mysterious Shadowman, the heroes must uncover the city's secrets while fighting off zombie hordes.
One of the innovations is a new type of zombie shield — the rocket shield, which allows players to launch zombies into the air. The new Perk-a-Cola Widow's Wine and the GobbleGum system, offering one-time abilities through gum machines scattered across the map, are also introduced. Furthermore, three new types of enemies — Margwas, Parasites, and Insanity Elementals — appear. Traditional zombie mode elements, like the Pack-a-Punch machine, also return.
Moon
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The Moon map, featured in the Rezurrection DLC for Call of Duty: Black Ops, is the final map in this part of the series and stands out for its scale. It is only surpassed in size by the Green Run and Origins maps.
As the name suggests, the action takes place on the Moon, where characters find themselves on an abandoned lunar station after a battle in Area 51 on Earth.
Players face unique challenges, including low gravity and the need to wear space suits to survive in the vacuum. New zombie types, such as astronaut zombies, and weapons like the Wave Gun, which can split into two devices known as Zap Gun Dual Wield and Wave Gun, are introduced. The weapon can combine back into one, capable of destroying zombies in a unique way.
A new tactical grenade, the Quantum Entanglement Device, is also added. When used, it triggers random effects that can either help or harm the player, adding an element of unpredictability to the gameplay.
Call of the Dead
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This celebrity map in Black Ops features fighters battling zombies in a snowy environment. The action takes place in an abandoned Siberian settlement, where a group of brave researchers is trapped while attempting to uncover the secrets of Element 115, leading them into a nightmare.
A unique feature of this map is the appearance of George A. Romero as a boss zombie, constantly hunting down players and adding a new level of difficulty. Players can use new wonder weapons, such as the V-R11, which turns zombies back into humans, and the Scavenger, a sniper rifle with explosive rounds. The map was praised for its innovative approach and engaging gameplay.
Gorod Krovi
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This map in Call of Duty: Black Ops III was released as part of the Descent DLC. The gameplay takes place in an alternate, war-torn version of Stalingrad, where players face the consequences of Element 115, which led to the appearance of zombies, mechanized soldiers, and deadly dragons.
The team from Origins returns, and players must battle the original Nikolai Belinski to save his soul in the Summoning Key. New challenges await, including confrontations with Russian soldier-manglers, Valkyrie drones, and fire-breathing dragons.
Nacht der Untoten
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The first zombie map, debuting in Call of Duty: World at War, which marked the beginning of the entire series. Initially, it unlocked after completing the main campaign, offering a hidden game mode. It was later reworked and included in the Hardened and Prestige editions of Call of Duty: Black Ops and also became available in the Rezurrection DLC.
The location transports players to an abandoned airfield where they fight against endless waves of zombies. Despite its small size and limited number of rooms, it laid the foundation for future maps, introducing key elements like barricades, the Mystery Box, and the points system for acquiring weapons and unlocking new areas.
Since its release, Nacht der Untoten has been reworked and featured in various series installments, including Call of Duty: Black Ops III as part of the Zombies Chronicles DLC, which attests to its significance and popularity among fans of the mode.
Verrückt
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Also known as Asylum, it was included in Map Pack 1 for Call of Duty: World at War. The map is set in the Wittenau Sanitarium in Berlin, an abandoned psychiatric hospital with dark hallways and frightening enemies. Players start the game divided into two groups of two and must find a way to reunite by activating the power.
This map introduced Perk-a-Cola machines, such as Juggernog, Speed Cola, and Double Tap Root Beer, as well as electric barriers and traps.
Verrückt is considered one of the most challenging maps in zombie mode due to its complex design and the aggressive behavior of enemies.
Shi No Numa
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The "Swamp of Death" map in World at War. The action takes place in a Japanese swamp where a meteorite containing Element 115 triggers a zombie outbreak.
The location introduces several innovations, such as moving through difficult terrain that slows players down, and unique traps like the Flogger, a spinning wooden contraption with spikes that instantly kills zombies when activated. There are also Easter eggs, such as radio broadcasts that reveal plot details and musical secrets.
The map was reworked and included in later installments, including Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops III, where it received updated graphics and additional gameplay elements, while maintaining its unique atmosphere and difficulty.
Five
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The action takes place in the Pentagon in Call of Duty: Black Ops. Players take on the roles of famous political figures: John F. Kennedy, Robert McNamara, Richard Nixon, and Fidel Castro. The Five map is known for its difficulty, requiring strategic thinking and coordinated teamwork to survive against zombie waves.
It introduced several new elements to enrich the gameplay. One key feature was the Pentagon Thief, a new type of enemy that periodically appears and tries to steal weapons from the characters. Successfully eliminating it before it escapes rewards the team with bonuses.
Additionally, new traps and mechanics were introduced, such as teleporters allowing quick movement between levels of the Pentagon and the DEFCON system, which unlocks access to the Panic Room — a safe zone with additional resources.
Die Rise
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Also known as Great Leap Forward, this map is set in Call of Duty: Black Ops II. The action takes place in post-apocalyptic Shanghai, where players fight zombie hordes on two skyscrapers. The map is known for its complex vertical structure, where players must move between floors using elevators and build devices like the Trample Steam to cross gaps between buildings.
Die Rise features a unique weapon — the Sliquifier, which fires a slippery liquid that slows down and destroys zombies. The location requires extra caution to avoid falling from heights, adding another layer of difficulty and strategic thinking.
Buried 15
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A zombie map in the Black Ops II series, featured in the Vengeance DLC. The events take place in an underground city styled like the Wild West, where players must fight off hordes of zombies. The playable characters—Abigail "Misty" Briarton, Marlton Johnson, Russman, and Samuel J. Stuhlinger—return from previous maps such as TranZit and Die Rise. A new character, a giant named Arthur, is also introduced, whom players can free from a cell. Feeding him candy or alcohol allows players to use him for various tasks, such as destroying barricades or holding off zombies.
Buried also features a bank and an armory, allowing players to store money and weapons between games. Additionally, the map introduces new weapons, such as the Paralyzer and Time Bomb, which allows players to manipulate time.
Zetsubou No Shima
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"Island of Despair" in Black Ops III. Here, the characters from the "Origins" team encounter mutated creatures, the result of failed experiments with Element 115. Players must explore dense jungles, abandoned laboratories, and underground bunkers, facing new types of enemies, including giant spiders. Zetsubou No Shima is known for its difficulty and complexity.
Revelations
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The final map in the zombie mode for Call of Duty: Black Ops III. It concludes the Origins saga, combining elements from previous maps and offering players an epic conclusion to the story.
The story unfolds in Agartha after the release of Shadowman from the Summoning Key. The "Primis" team faces an ancient evil threatening their immortal souls and must battle zombie hordes to save themselves.
Classified
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A remake of Five with updated graphics and mechanics in Black Ops 4, available for Black Ops Pass holders. Instead of historical figures, players control the "Ultimis" team. The Pentagon in 1963 is under attack, and players must fight zombies in updated and expanded locations, including new areas and enemies. The map received positive feedback for its improved design and gameplay while maintaining the atmosphere of the original map. Strangely, Classified does not feature the main storyline quest. Instead, the final cutscene is triggered automatically after players reach round 150.
Blood of the Dead
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Introduced in Black Ops 4, this is a reimagining and continuation of the popular Mob of the Dead map. In this version, players return to Alcatraz, where they fight zombie hordes in updated and expanded locations.
The story of Blood of the Dead follows the "Primis" team, who venture into a secret laboratory beneath the island after the events of Zetsubou No Shima. Their mission is to obtain blood samples for a better future, but they encounter unexpected challenges that threaten their plans.
The map includes new areas previously unavailable in Mob of the Dead, as well as updated mechanics and weapons. This map received mixed reviews: some praised its expansion of the original and deeper storyline, while others criticized its increased difficulty and certain design choices.
Alpha Omega
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Introduced in Black Ops 4, this is a reworked and significantly expanded version of Nuketown. The action takes place on the "Broken Arrow" facility before the presumed nuclear explosion that destroyed the testing site. The map includes new areas, such as additional houses in front of a dead end, and provides access to an expansive underground bunker and research center.
The Ray Gun Mark II returns with four unique elemental modifications, each with its own special abilities. Players can now play as both the "Primis" and "Ultimis" teams, allowing for a deeper dive into the intertwined storylines of the Walking Dead universe.
The zombie mode in Call of Duty has gifted players with many unforgettable maps, each unique in its own way. Despite the evolution of the series, the maps continue to be an essential part of the franchise, bringing players together in their quest to survive in the most extreme conditions. Whether in the grim corridors of laboratories, abandoned cities, or space stations, each of these places offers new challenges and emotions. And who knows what legendary maps await us in the future?
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