Zombies mode first shambled onto the scene with Call of Duty: World at War, then became a cult favorite through the Black Ops series, known for wild maps and bonkers storylines. Sledgehammer added Exo suits in Advanced Warfare, brought Nazi Zombies back in WWII and Vanguard, while Infinity Ward tried its hand with Infinite Warfare’s neon-drenched chaos. Even aliens in Ghosts couldn’t distract fans for long—Zombies just keep coming, most recently in Black Ops 6. Curious what’s next for the undead?
Over the years, Call of Duty has delivered plenty of fast-paced action, but for many fans, it’s the Zombies mode that really keeps things undead and interesting. Zombies first shambled onto the scene in 2008, thanks to Treyarch’s release of Call of Duty: World at War. What started as a bonus round-based survival mode—where players boarded up windows, bought weapons off the wall, and tried not to get munched—quickly became a franchise staple.
For many fans, it’s the Zombies mode that keeps Call of Duty undead and endlessly entertaining year after year.
The original Nazi Zombies mode was simple: survive as long as possible against waves of undead. But then, things got weirder and wilder. The Black Ops series took the concept and ran with it, introducing elaborate storylines, mysterious characters, and maps that felt more like puzzles than battlefields. Fans met celebrity-voiced characters—Jeff Goldblum in Black Ops 3, anyone?—and uncovered secrets known as Easter Eggs, which sometimes left players questioning if they were playing a shooter or solving a cryptic crossword. The Call of Duty Zombies experience has expanded across multiple titles, with each new entry offering fresh mechanics and new narrative twists. Treyarch has been the primary developer for the Zombies mode, consistently shaping its evolution and introducing staple features that fans have come to expect.
Other developers, not wanting to miss out on the fun, added their own twists. Sledgehammer’s Advanced Warfare introduced Exo Zombies, blending traditional undead with futuristic tech. Infinite Warfare’s Zombies in Spaceland gave the mode a sci-fi makeover, complete with neon lights and a theme park setting.
Even Call of Duty: Ghosts switched things up with Extinction, where aliens replaced zombies. Because, why not?
Call of Duty: WWII and Vanguard both brought Nazi Zombies back to their World War II roots, while Modern Warfare III kept the undead train rolling into the present day. Each iteration tweaked the formula—sometimes more perks, sometimes new Wonder Weapons, always more ways to get overwhelmed by the horde.
Recent titles, like Black Ops 6, show no signs of slowing down. Players can expect new maps, returning features like Perk-a-Colas, and storylines that tie into the ongoing Dark Aether narrative.