Which Black Ops Has All the Zombie Maps?
The straightforward answer to which Call of Duty: Black Ops game has all the zombie maps is: no single Black Ops title contains every Zombies map ever created. However, Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 comes the closest, particularly when combined with the Zombies Chronicles DLC. It’s essential to understand that the Black Ops series has evolved over time, with each game introducing new maps and experiences. Black Ops 3, especially with its deluxe edition and Zombies Chronicles add-on, offers the most comprehensive collection of remastered and original zombie maps within a single title.
While no single game has all maps, let’s explore which Black Ops game is closest and why.
The Black Ops Zombies Saga: A Map-by-Map Look
The Call of Duty: Black Ops series has been a cornerstone for zombie fans. Let’s break down the games and their contributions to the Zombies mode.
Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
This is where the Zombies narrative really started to blossom. It introduced iconic maps like:
- Kino Der Toten: A staple of the Zombies experience, featuring a movie theater setting.
- “Five”: Set in the Pentagon, with a unique round structure and challenging gameplay.
- Ascension: A space-themed map with the introduction of monkeys.
- Call of the Dead: A celebrity-studded map featuring George A. Romero as a zombie boss.
- Shangri-La: A jungle-themed map with intricate mechanisms and deadly traps.
- Moon: The final map of the original storyline, taking players to the lunar surface.
While Black Ops introduced many of the iconic maps, it doesn’t include maps from other titles.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)
Black Ops 2 expanded on the zombie gameplay mechanics, introducing new storylines and characters. Notable maps include:
- Tranzit: An open-world map with a bus for transportation.
- Die Rise: A vertical map set on collapsing skyscrapers.
- Buried: A western-themed map with a mysterious town and a helpful giant.
- Mob of the Dead: A fan-favorite map set in Alcatraz Prison.
- Origins: A highly complex and story-rich map set in World War I.
Black Ops 2 has excellent maps, but like the first game, it only contains maps originally made for that specific title.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (2015)
This is where things get interesting. Black Ops 3 combined new maps with remastered classics, particularly when using the Zombies Chronicles DLC. The core game launched with:
- Shadows of Evil: A 1940s-themed map featuring four new protagonists.
However, the Zombies Chronicles DLC was the key to bringing back older maps, with eight remastered maps from World at War, Black Ops, and Black Ops 2:
- Nacht Der Untoten (World at War)
- Verrückt (World at War)
- Shi No Numa (World at War)
- Kino Der Toten (Black Ops)
- Ascension (Black Ops)
- Shangri-La (Black Ops)
- Moon (Black Ops)
- Origins (Black Ops 2)
This means that Black Ops 3, with the Zombies Chronicles DLC, contains the largest collection of remastered and original maps within the Black Ops series. While it doesn’t contain maps like “Five”, “Call of the Dead”, or any of the Black Ops 2 maps other than “Origins,” it is the closest that any single Black Ops game comes to having all zombie maps.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018)
Black Ops 4 focused on an entirely new narrative arc within the Zombies mode. It did not bring back any previous maps through DLC, featuring entirely new original maps:
- Voyage of Despair: Set on the RMS Titanic.
- IX: Set in a gladiatorial arena.
- Blood of the Dead: A reimagining of the Mob of the Dead map.
- Classified: A reimagining of the “Five” map.
- Ancient Evil: A later map that was included in the Black Ops Pass or as a standalone DLC.
Black Ops 4 is noteworthy for its unique maps and different story, but it does not feature any maps from previous titles.
Black Ops Cold War (2020)
While technically not a numbered Black Ops title, Black Ops Cold War did include Zombies. It doesn’t have any remastered old maps, instead introducing entirely new experiences.
Why Black Ops 3 is the Closest
Despite not having every single zombie map ever made, Black Ops 3 is widely considered the most comprehensive for the following reasons:
- Large Selection: With the base game maps, DLC content, and Zombies Chronicles, Black Ops 3 offers a substantial collection of maps.
- Remastered Classics: The Zombies Chronicles DLC breathed new life into beloved maps from earlier games, making them more accessible and visually appealing.
- Story Connection: It integrates a cohesive narrative, linking many of the maps and characters together.
- Gameplay Improvements: Black Ops 3 benefits from gameplay enhancements, including improved movement, weapon customization, and graphics, that upgrade the experience of both new and old zombie maps.
In conclusion, Black Ops 3, particularly with the Zombies Chronicles expansion, provides the most comprehensive experience for those looking to play as many classic Black Ops zombie maps as possible on a single title. It might not be all the zombie maps, but it’s by far the closest you’ll get within the Black Ops series.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does Black Ops 3 have all the original maps from Black Ops 1?
No, Black Ops 3 with Zombies Chronicles does not include all maps from Black Ops 1. Specifically, “Five” and “Call of the Dead” are not included in the remastered map collection.
2. What exactly is the Zombies Chronicles DLC?
The Zombies Chronicles DLC for Black Ops 3 is a content pack that remasters eight iconic zombie maps from World at War, Black Ops, and Black Ops 2, providing updated visuals and mechanics.
3. Can you play old zombie maps on Black Ops 3 without the DLC?
Without the Zombies Chronicles DLC, you will only have access to the original Black Ops 3 zombie maps, specifically “Shadows of Evil,” as well as any DLC maps that were purchased separately. The remasters of older maps require the Zombies Chronicles expansion.
4. Which Black Ops game has the best Zombies mode?
While opinions vary, Black Ops 3 is often considered to have the best overall Zombies experience due to its comprehensive collection of maps, including the remastered classics.
5. Is Black Ops 4 Zombies better than Black Ops 3?
This is subjective, but Black Ops 4 introduced its own set of original and unique maps. Black Ops 3 is typically favored for its larger collection and remastered older maps.
6. How many zombie maps are in Black Ops 3?
Black Ops 3 has 14 total zombie maps including the base game, DLC maps and the Zombies Chronicles expansion. Without Zombies Chronicles, the game has one map and several DLC maps.
7. Which Black Ops has the most zombie maps overall?
- Black Ops 3, with the Zombies Chronicles DLC, offers the most zombie maps within a Black Ops title.
8. What are the hardest zombie maps in the Black Ops series?
Some notoriously difficult maps include “Shangri-La” (Black Ops), “Verruckt” (World at War), and some consider “Origins” (Black Ops 2) and “Die Rise” (Black Ops 2) to be challenging.
9. Can you play Call of Duty: World at War zombie maps on the latest Black Ops games?
No, Black Ops 3 is the only game that provides remastered versions of the original World at War zombie maps. No other Black Ops game includes those maps, either remastered or original.
10. Why is Black Ops Declassified missing the zombie mode?
- Black Ops Declassified, the game on the PlayStation Vita, does not have zombies because the developers prioritized the multiplayer mode instead.
11. Does Black Ops 2 have remastered maps?
- No, Black Ops 2 does not have remastered maps. It has its own set of original maps, and Origins is the only one that is available in other games.
12. Is Black Ops 3 the best in the series for solo players?
Many players find Black Ops 3 to be excellent for solo play due to the variety of maps and customizable gameplay elements.
13. What’s the difference between the standard edition and Zombies Chronicles Edition of Black Ops 3?
- The Zombies Chronicles Edition includes the base game and the Zombies Chronicles DLC, which remasters eight classic maps.
14. How do you unlock all zombie maps in the original Black Ops?
Some players use cheat codes like ‘3ARC UNLOCK’ on the computer terminal to unlock all maps, but it is advised that the proper route to unlocking all maps is by playing through the game.
15. What is the recommended way to play the entire Black Ops zombie storyline?
While the storyline does not have an exact order, playing the maps in release order would be recommended. That would mean starting from the original World at War maps (Nacht Der Untoten, Verrückt, Shi No Numa, and Der Riese), playing through all the original Black Ops maps, then those in Black Ops 2, then all the maps in Black Ops 3, and finally in Black Ops 4.