Best Of
All Call of Duty Zombies Games, Ranked
The zombies mode first made its way into the Call of Duty franchise in 2008’s World at War. Since then, it’s become a popular mode, often receiving constant updates to elevate the gameplay. These range from new features, locations, characters, mechanics, easter eggs, and more. As such, we’ve enjoyed increasingly better renditions of zombies mode. In the same breath, some updates haven’t been well received by fans. Today, we’ll be creating a list of all Call of Duty zombies games, ranking them from worst to best.
12. Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)
Call of Duty: Vanguard’s zombies mode is straightforward. Like you may expect, it tasks you with shooting as many zombies as you can. In turn, you earn points that you can spend on upgrades. The upgrades make you better at mowing down zombies, and the cycle continues until you’re the baddest in the game. The problem is Vanguard’s zombies mode lacks content. It grows boring too fast, with barely any fun you can cling to for consecutive runs.
11. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare had the pleasure of trying out a new movement mechanic called exo-skeletons. It made jumping and running such a joy. And to spice up the game, exo-suits were given to zombies, too. This channeled new energy into the zombies mode, which granted players more replay value. The zombies took a little more effort to kill. But you also were given the tools needed to wipe them out.
10. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)
Meanwhile, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare was a letdown. It felt underwhelming to play. Both the story and gameplay were a little too silly. The campy feel of the zombies mode was arguably at its best, though. Zombies mode proved it can be fun, too, not just always terrifying.
9. Call of Duty: World War 2 (2017)
Nazi-themed zombie horror made a return in Call of Duty: World War 2. No longer fun and campy, Infinity Ward doubled down on the gritty and terrifying. Unfortunately, the maps and story couldn’t hold up their end of the bargain. And so, even though the designs were epic, the overall gameplay became “not fun.”
8. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024)
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, on the other hand, is the latest of the bunch. And still, its zombies mode leaves a lot to be desired. It does give you two interesting maps to explore, with a never-ending spree of shooting down zombies. The campaign here is longer, and does require a decent level of strategy to beat. Overall, it manages to craft a compelling experience that looks fantastic to boot.
7. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018)
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 continued to build on the solid foundation of the zombies mode of its predecessors. It sculpted a satisfying experience. Even though the mode doesn’t have a single-player campaign, its multiplayer and battle royale remains engaging ever meaty.
6. Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
In all Call of Duty zombies games, Call of Duty: World at War remains a special entry. It’s the title that made zombies possible, introducing thrilling scary zombies and trigger happy moments. However, the gameplay, compared to the more enhanced versions of today, now seems inferior. Fighting zombies was fun, but now it’s more calculated and strategic.
5. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023)
You could play the zombies mode in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, for its stellar graphics. These make the zombies designs so vivid. Best of all, the mode runs in an open world. This means you have free-roam over the world, giving you ample space to do anything you want. Unfortunately, most of the mode were reskins of Modern Warfare 2, taking away the novelty of playing the game.
4. Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
Call of Duty: Black Ops finds the sweet spot between open world and confined areas. You could still move around freely, but also zombies couldn’t run far enough from you.
3. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is the sixth entry in the Black Ops sub-series. It, as a result, had the pleasure of learning from its predecessors. The gameplay was the best yet, featuring horde gameplay and the signature campy feel. More than that, you enjoy better features. Guns pack a heavier punch and upgrades overflow. Maps, too, are vast, with hordes as far as the eye can see.
2. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 competes neck-to-neck with the third entry in the sub-series. It simply is one of the best zombies game modes, with high replayability and tight multiplayer gameplay. The maps are some of the best, and the campaign is meaty. You even have a fantastic villain to aim between the eyes.
From better leaderboard systems to skill-based matching, Black Ops 2 improved zombies in every way. Meanwhile, you also enjoy new gameplay modes like Grief and Turned. With all the pros and subsequent success, fans began to think of zombies as an individual game in itself.
1. Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (2015)
Ultimately, Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 takes the win. All-around, it offers exciting new maps, in addition to fan-favorite ones. Meanwhile, the weapons and upgrades are plentiful and deeply customizable. Perks as well overflow, as you fine-tune your gameplay fighting zombies and mini-bosses.
With the fast-paced combat and introduction of the GobbleGum mechanic, players enjoyed a more engaging and tactical playthrough. Combined, Black Ops 3’s zombies experience feels collective. It doesn’t miss a mark, whether in the technical or batteground side. If not Black Ops 3, then any entry from Treyarch will do.
