What Maps Are in Call of Duty Zombies? A Comprehensive Guide
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The Call of Duty Zombies mode has become a cultural phenomenon, evolving from a simple bonus feature to a complex and beloved game mode in its own right. At its heart, the Zombies experience is defined by its diverse and challenging maps. So, exactly how many maps are there, and what makes each one unique? The total number of Call of Duty Zombies maps varies depending on how you count remastered versions and sub-maps, but it’s safe to say there are over 65 distinct playable spaces across the various Call of Duty titles. This article will explore the rich history of these maps, pinpoint the best ones, and answer common questions that players have about this iconic game mode.
The Core Zombies Maps
The journey began with a humble map, Nacht der Untoten, in Call of Duty: World at War. This small, three-room map laid the foundation for everything that followed. Its simplicity and sheer difficulty created a new kind of cooperative gaming experience. From this seed, the Zombies mode sprouted into a complex array of diverse and intricately designed maps.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the key maps that have shaped the Zombies experience:
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World at War:
- Nacht der Untoten: The original map, small and intense.
- Verrückt: An asylum map, known for its tight corridors and claustrophobic setting.
- Shi No Numa: A swamp-themed map, introducing unique environmental challenges.
- Der Riese: A larger factory map, featuring the first appearance of pack-a-punch.
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Black Ops:
- Kino Der Toten: A theater map, considered one of the most popular maps.
- “Five”: A Pentagon-themed map, known for its difficult layout.
- Dead Ops Arcade: A top-down arcade style zombies experience.
- Ascension: A Soviet launch facility with a focus on verticality and lunar landers.
- Call of the Dead: A remote, frozen lighthouse-themed map featuring zombie celebrities.
- Shangri-La: A dense jungle map with complex mechanisms.
- Moon: A lunar map that is a culmination of the first story arc.
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Black Ops II:
- Nuketown Zombies: A chaotic map set in the iconic Nuketown.
- Green Run: A large, connected map with multiple sub-locations like the Bus Depot, Town, and Farm.
- Die Rise: A skyscraper map with dangerous drops and elevators.
- Buried: A western-themed map with a unique banker system.
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Black Ops III:
- Shadows of Evil: A 1940s film noir style map with a heavy emphasis on story.
- Der Eisendrache: A castle-themed map with the return of classic characters.
- Zetsubou No Shima: A dense island map with a focus on spider-themed enemies.
- Gorod Krovi: A Stalingrad map with dragons.
- Revelations: A culmination map of the second story arc.
- The Giant: A remake of Der Riese.
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Zombie Chronicles brought remastered versions of Nacht der Untoten, Verrückt, Shi No Numa, and Der Riese from World at War, Kino Der Toten, Ascension, Shangri-La, and Moon from Black Ops.
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Black Ops 4:
- Voyage of Despair: A Titanic-themed map.
- IX: A Gladiator arena-themed map.
- Blood of the Dead: A reimagining of Mob of the Dead.
- Classified: A reimagining of Five.
- Ancient Evil: A Greek mythology themed map.
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Modern Warfare III:
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Open World Zombie Map: The largest Call of Duty Zombies map to date.
This is not an exhaustive list, but it captures the main progression of the mode and highlights some of its most iconic maps. Every map in the game has a unique layout, challenges, and secrets that keep players coming back.
The Evolution of Zombie Maps
The progression of Zombies maps is fascinating to trace. The early maps were simple, emphasizing pure survival. But as the mode gained popularity, maps became more complex.
- Size and Scope: Maps evolved from tight, contained spaces to larger, sprawling environments.
- Mechanics: The introduction of features like the Pack-a-Punch machine, perk machines, and intricate questlines changed the gameplay loop entirely.
- Storytelling: Many maps now have their own deep and complex narratives, which make the experience more than just surviving against hordes of the undead.
The Best and Worst Zombie Maps
The “best” Zombies map is always subjective, but certain maps are consistently lauded by fans for their design, story, and replayability.
Fan Favorites
- Mob of the Dead: Widely considered one of the best maps ever made, with a gripping story and unique gameplay mechanics.
- Der Eisendrache: Celebrated for its beautiful design, fun wonder weapons and engaging mechanics.
- Kino Der Toten: A beloved classic, admired for its balanced layout and frantic action.
- Origins: A complex map with multiple layers of depth, great for replayability.
Less Favored Maps
- Nuketown Zombies: While iconic, its small size and chaotic nature make it one of the most hated maps.
- TranZit: Widely criticized for its tedious traversal and challenging gameplay loop.
- Five: Known for its high difficulty, confusing layout and challenging boss.
- Zetsubou No Shima: Many find the map layout confusing and the overall gameplay mechanics unfulfilling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Call of Duty Zombies maps:
1. How many maps are in total across all Call of Duty Zombies games?
There are over 65 distinct playable maps (excluding sub-areas within larger maps and various remakes) across the entire Call of Duty Zombies franchise.
2. Which Call of Duty has all the Zombies maps?
No single Call of Duty game has all the Zombies maps. However, Call of Duty: Black Ops III comes the closest with its Zombie Chronicles DLC, which includes eight remastered maps.
3. What is the hardest Call of Duty Zombies map?
Many players consider Nacht der Untoten to be the hardest due to its simplicity and lack of helpful perks and upgrades. Other notoriously difficult maps include Shangri-La, Verrückt, and Five.
4. What is the easiest Call of Duty Zombies map?
Ascension is often regarded as the easiest Zombies map, thanks to its spacious layout and forgiving gameplay.
5. What is the biggest Call of Duty Zombies map?
The open-world Zombies map in Modern Warfare III is the largest to date.
6. What is the oldest Call of Duty Zombies map?
Nacht der Untoten from Call of Duty: World at War is the original and oldest Zombies map.
7. What is the most hated Zombies map?
Nuketown Zombies, TranZit, and Five are frequently mentioned as the least favorite maps among players.
8. What does Shi No Numa mean?
Shi No Numa is Japanese for “Swamp of Death.”
9. Is Nacht der Untoten a real place?
While inspired by real-world structures, Nacht der Untoten is a fictional location. There are however historical photos of a building on Peleliu Island that is very similar. In the Call of Duty universe it is relocated to Morasko, Poland.
10. How do you get all the maps in the original Call of Duty Zombies mode?
In the original Call of Duty: World at War, you can type 3ARC UNLOCK at the main menu in place of the normal unlock code for the game mode.
11. What DLC is Call of the Dead in?
Call of the Dead is part of the Escalation DLC for Call of Duty: Black Ops.
12. Can I buy Zombies Chronicles without Black Ops III?
No, Zombies Chronicles requires Call of Duty: Black Ops III to play, as it is an expansion pack for the game.
13. What Black Ops 2 Zombies maps are there?
Black Ops II features Nuketown Zombies, and the Green Run locations, including Bus Depot, Town, and Farm. It also has Die Rise and Buried.
14. What are the best Black Ops 3 Zombies maps?
The best Black Ops III Zombies maps are often considered to be Der Eisendrache, Revelations, The Giant, Shadows of Evil, Origins, and Moon.
15. Where is Nuketown in real life?
Nuketown is a fictional location inspired by the Nevada Test Site, where the US government conducted nuclear weapon tests. It is a stylized representation and not a true recreation.
Conclusion
The Call of Duty Zombies mode is defined by its diverse and expansive array of maps. Each map provides a unique challenge, whether through its layout, enemy types, or story elements. From the simple beginnings of Nacht der Untoten to the complex open worlds of the modern titles, the maps are the heart of the zombie experience. This article has provided an in-depth look at many of these maps, giving a good overview of their history, variations, and impact on the game mode as a whole. Whether you are a long-time zombie slayer or new to the game, exploring these iconic maps is a must for any fan of Call of Duty.