With the first two Call of Duty: Black Ops games recently ported to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, players are diving back into the franchise's third pillar: the PvE mode Zombies. Originally launched in Treyarch's Call of Duty: World at War, the mode peaked in Black Ops and Black Ops II. This guide ranks every Zombies map from both titles based on map design, wonder weapons, Easter Eggs, and overall fun factor, excluding remastered World at War maps and sub-survival maps from Black Ops II.

1. Quick Overview: The Black Ops Zombies Map Ranking

  1. 13. Nuketown Zombies: A small, fiery post-nuclear survival map lacking new wonder weapons.
  2. 12. Dead Ops Arcade: A retro third-person twin-shooter accessed via the campaign menu computer.
  3. 11. Die Rise: An infuriating vertical map set in Shanghai skyscrapers featuring the slippery Sliquifer wonder weapon.
  4. 10. Shangri-La: A cramped Himalayan ruins map featuring tight tunnels and the shrinking 31-79 JGb215 wonder weapon.
  5. 9. Origins: A somewhat overwhelming and flat map set in French trenches featuring giant robots and the Primis crew.
  6. 8. Buried: A well-balanced subterranean 19th-century western American town featuring Arthur and the Ray Gun Mark II.
  7. 7. TranZit: An ambitious Washington state map featuring a robot-controlled bus and buildable items.
  8. 6. Ascension: A 1960s Soviet Cosmodrome featuring black-and-white opening mechanics, space monkeys, and Gersh Devices.
  9. 5. Five: A Cold War Pentagon map where players control JFK, Richard Nixon, Robert McNamara, and Fidel Castro.
  10. 4. Moon: An Ultimis crew finale featuring zero-gravity space travel, P.E.S. suits, Mule Kick, and the Wave Gun.

How to Access Hidden Maps and Secrets in Black Ops

To unlock hidden content like Dead Ops Arcade in the original Call of Duty: Black Ops, get up as Alex Mason from the chair in the menu's interrogation room and interact with the back computer. Type in DOA to unlock the arcade minigame. To unlock the Pentagon-based map Five, simply type in 3ARC UNLOCK on the same computer or complete the game's campaign.

Maps like Die Rise and Shangri-La require specific strategies to survive due to their restrictive environments:

  • Die Rise: Watch your footing when jumping between collapsing Shanghai skyscrapers to avoid falling to your death. Utilize collectible parts to build the Sliquifer, which clears out zombie groups with slippery purple liquid.
  • Shangri-La: Manage tight tunnels and avoid napalm zombies and stealing zombie monkeys. Use the 31-79 JGb215 wonder weapon to shrink zombies into baby size, allowing you to eliminate them simply by running into them.

Mastering Late-Game Maps: Buried and Moon

Late-game maps introduce advanced mechanics, perks, and traversal systems that change how you approach survival:

  • Buried: Take advantage of Arthur, the giant NPC who can clear debris, build items, and fight zombies. Acquire the Paralyzer and Ray Gun Mark II to easily handle rounds in the underground western town.
  • Moon: Equip your P.E.S. space suit immediately when entering zero-gravity areas. Pick up the Mule Kick perk to carry a third weapon, and use the dual-wielded Wave Gun to clear out large undead hordes.