Top 10 Call of Duty Games Featuring Zombies

All Call of Duty games with zombies have brought excitement and a thrilling survival experience to players around the world. The blending of intense first-person shooter action with the undead has created unforgettable gaming moments. This article will dive into the top 10 Call of Duty games that have perfected this blend, offering gamers the best zombie modes across the series.

All Call of Duty Games with Zombies: A Deep Dive

In the realm of first-person shooters, the Call of Duty series holds a prestigious place. Among its diverse offerings, the Zombies mode stands out for providing a unique blend of horror, strategy, and teamwork. This mode has evolved across titles, introducing new stories, challenges, and mechanics that have captivated the community. Let’s explore these games and see how each has contributed to the legacy of Call of Duty zombies.

List of Top Choices

• Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
• Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)
• Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015)
• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)
• Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
• Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
• Call of Duty: Black Ops IV (2018)
• Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)
• Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)

Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

• Introduced the iconic Nazi Zombies mode
• Featured undead hordes, power-ups, and challenging maps
• Offered a secret mode unlocked after the main campaign

The 2010 release of Call of Duty: Black Ops marked a pivotal moment for zombie modes in video games. Not only did it introduce the now-iconic Nazi Zombies mode, but it also set a high standard for what players could expect from cooperative gameplay against hordes of the undead. The secret mode, unlocked after completing the main campaign, offered hours of additional gameplay. It was this blend of surprise, challenge, and pure zombie-slaying fun that cemented Black Ops' place in the hearts of players.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)

• Expanded on the original zombies mode
• Introduced new maps, characters, and the Tranzit storyline
• Incorporated Buildables and the Bank system for strategic depth

Following the success of its predecessor, Call of Duty: Black Ops II took the zombies formula and enriched it with more depth, narrative, and complexity. The game introduced players to new maps and characters, along with the intriguing Tranzit storyline that bound together different maps for a more cohesive zombies experience. The introduction of Buildables and a Bank system added layers of strategy, encouraging players to think and plan their survival tactics more carefully. Black Ops II successfully built upon the foundation laid by the original, providing a richer, more engaging zombies mode that fans adored.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015)

• Featured a complex narrative and gameplay mechanics
• Introduced new features like "The Giant" map and the "Shadows of Evil" storyline
• Offered a customizable GobbleGum system

Call of Duty: Black Ops III redefined what players could expect from a zombie mode. With its complex narrative intertwined across maps and characters, it offered a more profound storytelling experience. The addition of features like "The Giant" map and the "Shadows of Evil" storyline provided fresh settings and narratives that kept players engaged for hours. Moreover, the customizable GobbleGum system allowed players to tailor their gameplay experience with unique perks, adding another layer of strategy and personalization. Black Ops III not only continued the legacy of its zombie modes but also enhanced it with richer content and mechanics.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)

• Continued the Dark Aether storyline
• Featured new maps and gameplay elements
• Introduced the "Die Maschine" and "Firebase Z" maps

With the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, players were plunged back into the chilling narrative of the Dark Aether storyline. The game brought forward new maps, such as "Die Maschine" and "Firebase Z," each offering unique challenges and environments. These maps, along with new characters and gameplay elements, provided a fresh yet familiar experience for veterans and newcomers alike. Black Ops Cold War skillfully balanced the nostalgia of previous entries with the introduction of new content, making it another standout title in the Call of Duty zombies saga.

Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)

• Introduced a new storyline set in the Pacific Theater
• Featured new maps and characters
• Included "Der Anfang" and "Shi No Numa" maps

The release of Call of Duty: Vanguard marked a new chapter in the zombies universe, with a storyline set in the Pacific Theater. This fresh narrative backdrop, alongside new maps such as "Der Anfang" and the revamped "Shi No Numa," offered players an exciting departure from the settings they had grown accustomed to. Vanguard showcased the series' ability to innovate within its well-established formula, providing new characters and maps that maintained the core zombie-slaying fun while adding a unique historical twist.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)

• Featured the "Spec Ops" mode, including zombie-themed missions
• Introduced challenging co-op missions
• Blended traditional military gameplay with zombie elements

In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, the series took a slightly different approach by integrating zombies into the "Spec Ops" mode rather than featuring a standalone zombies mode. This inclusion offered players a blend of traditional military operations and zombie survival challenges, creating a unique co-op experience. The zombie-themed missions within "Spec Ops" mode allowed for strategic teamwork and pushed players to adapt their tactics against both human and undead enemies. Modern Warfare II demonstrated Call of Duty's ability to creatively incorporate zombies into various gameplay formats, appealing to fans of military tactics and zombie survival alike.

Call of Duty: World at War (2008)

• Introduced the original Nazi Zombies mode
• Featured the foundation of zombies gameplay: undead hordes, power-ups, and challenging maps
• Set the standard for future zombies modes

The launch of Call of Duty: World at War was a landmark moment for the franchise, introducing players to the Nazi Zombies mode that would become a hallmark of the series. It laid the groundwork for future iterations by creating a compelling, challenging game mode that mixed traditional shooting mechanics with the survival horror of fighting off endless hordes of the undead. This game's success proved the viability of including zombie modes in military shooters, setting a high standard for its successors and becoming a beloved fan favorite.

Call of Duty: Black Ops IV (2018)

• Featured a variety of gameplay modes
• Introduced the "IX" and "Blood of the Dead" maps, offering new narratives
• Expanded the zombies universe with deeper lore and challenges

Call of Duty: Black Ops IV further diversified the zombies universe by presenting a variety of gameplay modes, including the ambitious "IX" map that transported players to a mythological gladiatorial arena. Alongside "Blood of the Dead," a map that revisited the iconic Alcatraz setting with new twists, the game offered players deeper lore and more challenging gameplay. These expansions into different historical and mythological settings showcased the series' ability to innovate within its established formula, providing fans with new stories and environments that still felt grounded in the beloved zombies experience.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)

• Featured the "Zombies in Spaceland" mode, a co-op survival set in space
• Introduced unique settings and a campy, 80s horror film vibe
• Offered fresh gameplay mechanics with a fun, retro aesthetic

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare took the zombies mode to new heights—quite literally—with its "Zombies in Spaceland" mode. Set in a space-themed amusement park and imbued with a campy 1980s horror film vibe, this iteration of zombies was a breath of fresh air. It offered unique settings and fresh gameplay mechanics, all while maintaining the core appeal of the mode: teamwork, survival, and battling waves of zombies. This fun, retro-styled take on the zombie formula proved the developers' willingness to experiment and push the boundaries of the genre.

Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)

• Featured the "Extinction" mode, a unique take on survival gameplay
• Focused on alien invasions rather than traditional zombie hordes
• Provided a new challenge with objectives and base-defense mechanics

While not a traditional zombie mode, Call of Duty: Ghosts' "Extinction" mode introduced a novel twist to the formula by pitting players against hordes of aliens. This mode required players to complete specific objectives, defend bases, and work as a team to survive, offering a significant departure from the series' typical undead adversaries. The fresh take on survival gameplay showcased the versatility of the Call of Duty franchise, proving that its core mechanics could successfully be adapted to different scenarios and enemies, thus broadening the series' appeal.

Conclusion

Over the years, the Call of Duty franchise has consistently innovated and expanded its zombies experience, captivating players around the globe. From the gritty origins in World at War to the strategy-intensive setups in Black Ops Cold War and beyond, every game has contributed something unique to the zombies lore. These modes have become more than just side attractions—they're a core part of what makes Call of Duty such an enduring and beloved series. As the developers continue to explore new settings, mechanics, and narratives, the future of Call of Duty zombies looks brighter and more thrilling than ever. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a curious newcomer, there's never been a better time to dive into the action and join the fight against the undead.