Zombies (mode)

"Survive the Zombie hordes alone or cooperatively. Repel wave after wave of increasingly deadly Zombies in a number of frightening locales. But be warned: there are more than just Zombies lurking these dark hallways..."

- Call of Duty: Black Ops game manual description

Zombies, originally known as Nazi Zombies, is a game mode mostly appearing in Treyarch games that first appeared in Call of Duty: World at War. It became highly popular upon the game's release, and returned in its sequel Call of Duty: Black Ops and again in Call of Duty: Black Ops II. In Zombies, players face zombies of various nationalities depending on the location of the map, including Germans, Americans, Russians and Asians. Zombies content is only considered canon in its own universe.

Up to eight players must survive endless waves of attacking zombies, earning points from killing or damaging zombies and repairing barriers. These points can be used to purchase weapons and Perk-a-Colas in the process, or unlock new areas and activate other special objects. Zombies enter the player-accessible area of the map via windows, holes in walls, or climbing out of a "dirt" surface, which are initially barricaded but will be rapidly demolished by zombies. They can be repaired, however, with the exception of the dirt surfaces. There is no limit to the number of rounds; the game will end when all players have been incapacitated or killed by the Zombies, or if the player completes Pop Goes the Weasel on Mob of The Dead, or Little Lost Girl on Origins. Zombies become stronger and faster upon the completion of each round, forcing players to make tactical decisions about point spending and progressing through the map. On occasion, zombies will drop power-ups such as Max Ammo, Nuke, or Insta-Kill upon their death, making the round easier.

Altogether, Zombies consists of seventeen maps; the first, second, fourth, fifth, and seventh feature Nazi Zombies (Nacht der Untoten, Verrückt, Der Riese, Kino der Toten, Dead Ops Arcade), while the third features Imperial Japanese Army (Shi No Numa), the sixth features American civilians, military and scientists ("Five"), the eighth features Soviet scientists, cosmonauts and military (Ascension), the ninth features Siberian sailors and divers (Call of the Dead), the tenth features Himalayan civilians (Shangri-La), the eleventh features Astronauts and American military (Moon), the twelfth features various American civilians (Green Run), the thirteenth map features Russian Spetsnaz and American Zombies of various afflictions, including zombies wearing hazmat suits (Nuketown Zombies), the fourteenth features Chinese civilian and military Zombies, (Die Rise), the fifteenth features American prisoners and guards (Mob of the Dead), the sixteenth features Western barmaids, prospectors and cowboys in a continentally-shifted Angola (Buried), and the seventeenth features WWI era German soldiers and Medieval Templars in occupied France (Origins).

So far, Zombies has a total of 45 playable characters (including various unidentified ones).
 * Unnamed Marines appear in Nacht der Untoten and Verrückt.
 * Tank Dempsey, Nikolai Belinski, Takeo Masaki and Edward Richtofen appear in Shi No Numa, Der Riese, Kino der Toten, Ascension, Shangri-La, Moon and Origins. They are also heard only in Call of the Dead, and are playable in Nacht der Untoten and Verrückt in their remade Call of Duty: Black Ops versions.
 * John F. Kennedy, Fidel Castro, Robert McNamara and Richard Nixon appear in "Five".
 * Robert Englund, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Danny Trejo and Michael Rooker appear in Call of the Dead (in addition to George A. Romero who appears as a special enemy).
 * Rook appears in the two iOS tutorial levels.
 * Samantha Maxis appears as a playable character in Moon after she and Richtofen have swapped souls in Richtofen's Grand Scheme.
 * CIA Agents and CDC Soldiers appear consistently in the smaller game modes (such as Grief) in Green Run, Nuketown Zombies and Borough.
 * Abigail "Misty" Briarton, Samuel J. Stuhlinger, Marlton Johnson and Russman appear in Green Run, Die Rise and Buried.
 * Michael "Finn" O'Leary, Albert "Weasel" Arlington, Salvatore "Sal" DeLuca and Billy Handsome appear in Mob of the Dead.
 * Prison guards and prisoners appear in Cell Block.

Zombies is also known for carrying on the tradition of odd Easter Eggs within Call of Duty games. Some of the maps have "major" Easter Eggs, rather almost campaigns, which upon completion, grant the player(s) an achievement/trophy, in addition to an in-game reward, usually in the form of weapons or perks.

Point System
There is a point system in the Zombie game mode. This system applies to Normal Zombies, Hellhounds, Crawler Zombies, Space Monkeys, Brutus, Pentagon Thief, and Jumping Jacks.
 * Non-lethal hit: 10 points.
 * Second Thundergun kill: 30 points.
 * Lethal torso hit: 60 points.
 * Lethal limb hit: 50 points.
 * Lethal explosive hit: 50 points.
 * Lethal neck hit: 70 points.
 * Lethal headshot: 100 points.
 * Lethal melee: 130 points.

Nacht der Untoten
"You drove them deep into the heart of Reich. You thought they were dead. You were wrong."

- Nacht der Untoten description

Nacht der Untoten (German: "Night of the Undead") is the first map of the Zombies Campaign. It is also the smallest and simplest, as there are only three rooms in this map. The Zombies in this map are less deadly than the ones in other maps, as they do not reach through windows and they're the least smart in terms of AI. The Zombies also look more human in this map and they just groan and moan. This was the only map to not include Perk-a-Colas until the September 27, 2011 update that provided every map with Mule Kick, however, this only applies to Call of Duty: Black Ops. Because it is a last minute developer addition, this map simply acts as an introduction to the Nazi Zombies Game Mode and does not advance the Zombie Story Arc; it's more along the lines of an isolated incident for four unnamed soldiers. It takes various design elements from a bunker in the multiplayer map Airfield, the bunker in the map therefore earning the name "Zombie House." However, it has nothing to do with that map story-wise. The version in Call of Duty: Black Ops features the original power-ups, including the Carpenter power-up (which is first introduced in Der Riese) including the power-up icons, instead of the text and the remaining time at the bottom. Cold War weapons are available in the Mystery Box, zombies can now reach through the windows to hit the players, and a new musical easter egg called "Undone" can be found.

Verrückt


"Electroshock therapy. Chemically engineered beverages. Hordes of Undead Nazis. Find the power to unite and send them back to their graves!"

- Verrückt description

Verrückt (German: "Crazy/Insane") is the second map in the Zombies campaign. It is based off the multiplayer map Asylum, as they share many traits. The zombies in it are much more dangerous because they can attack through windows and can sprint. This is also the first map to include traps, Perk-a-Colas, and Bouncing Betties, as well as the first map to require the power to be turned on. There are ten rooms in this map, which require points to open. This is the first map where the Mystery Box can be teleported by the teddy bear and reappear somewhere else. This map takes place in Wittenau Sanatorium in Berlin, Germany, and this is the first map to feature different factions. There is a German and American side, each with the faction's respective weapons. When playing with three or four players, they will be split up and have to reunite at the generator room unless two people activate the power, and you go through the doors that need power to open. This map also introduces the PPSh-41, available from the Mystery Box (In the Call of Duty: Black Ops version of this map, a new Wonder Weapon, the Winter's Howl, is introduced).

Shi No Numa


"Maggot ridden corpses. Bug infested swamp. Hundreds of undead Imperial Army. Choose your tactic and defend for your lives!"

- Shi No Numa description

Shi No Numa (Japanese: "Swamp of Death") is the third map in the Zombies Campaign, and is the first not to feature Nazi Zombies. The maximum Zombie running speed has been reduced from a full sprint back to the original running speed, possibly for difficulty reasons. There are five main buildings in this map and four unlockable swamp areas connecting these buildings. Four of the buildings contain only one room, while the main building has three (Starting Room, Warning Room and Mystery Box Spawn). This is the second map where the electricity does not have to be turned on. This map, along with Shangri-La and Moon, has Perk-a-Cola Machines that spawn randomly (save for Mule Kick). This is also the second map where the Mystery Box can move, with a new feature: a yellow beam above the place which it has spawned. Players can now walk outside of buildings without glitching or cheating and zombies can spawn next to them without bypassing a barrier. The Zipline utility is introduced here, and returns in Call of the Dead. There are now special rounds in which the players ward off Hellhounds, a newly introduced enemy and are awarded with a Max Ammo afterwards. It is also the first map where the individual identities of the players are known. Shi No Numa also introduces a new Wonder Weapon, the Wunderwaffe DG-2, an electricity-casting weapon that can kill up to ten zombies at once, in a chain reaction. This map is also the only one with the Flogger, a manually activated 'trap'. In this map, the Zombies backstory unfolds for the four main characters, Tank Dempsey, Nikolai Belinski, Takeo Masaki, and Edward Richtofen. This is the first map that does not take design on a map built into the game.

Der Riese


"The Giant is rising. Face the might of the Nazi Zombies in their heartland. This is where it all began. This is where the master plan took shape. Is this where it all ends?"

- Der Riese description

Der Riese (German: "The Giant") is the fourth map in the Zombies Campaign. It takes some features from the multiplayer map Nightfire. It is the first map where zombies can climb over areas and jump down from an area towards the characters. It also introduces the Pack-a-Punch Machine, which for 5000 points upgrades weapons to have increased ammo capacity, more power, higher fire rate etc. It is the second map where the power is required to be switched on. Der Riese is the third map where Perk-a-Cola machines are included, and the second where Perk-a-Cola machines do not spawn randomly. Der Riese is the second map to contain hellhounds, which spawn about every five rounds. It is the first map to have Teleporters, the Monkey Bomb, the Bowie Knife, and the Fly Trap. It is the second map where the identity of the characters are known, and sub-sequentially advances the plot. It is the second to have a small objective, which is turning on the power and connecting the three teleporters to the mainframe to access the Pack-a-Punch machine. Der Riese also features the new "Carpenter" power-up, which boards up all opened windows in the level and award the players 200 points. It is the first of two maps in which Hellhounds spawn alongside Zombies. This occurs after the third Hellhound round sometime after round 16. This map is set in Germany, near Breslau.You can also learn the story behind the zombies by turning on radios' hidden throughout the map by pressing the action button near the radio.

Kino Der Toten


"Battle the undead in this theatrical installment of "Zombies". New twists and clues could uncover the final plan. It's show time!"

- Kino der Toten

Kino der Toten (German: "Theater/Cinema of the Dead") is the fifth map in the Zombies Campaign, introduced in Call of Duty: Black Ops. The four original characters are playable. It has almost all the features from Der Riese, including the Bowie Knife, Teleporters, Pack-a-Punch Machine, and Monkey Bomb, although the Wunderwaffe DG-2 does not return. A new Wonder Weapon, the Thundergun, makes its debut, replacing the Wunderwaffe DG-2. It is the first map to have purchasable Cold War weapons, as well as the first map to have the new Gas Zombies. It is the third map to require the electricity to be turned on, and is the first Zombies map to not have the Mystery Box spawn in a fixed location. It is also available on the iOS version of Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies. This map is set in an abandoned theater in Berlin, some time in the 1960s. Hellhounds make an appearance as the zombie bosses, and in the later rounds can kill you with one hit.

"Five"
"The Pentagon is under attack! Washington is going to DEFCON 1 in this installment of "Zombies"."

- "Five"

"Five" is the sixth map in the Zombies game mode, introduced in Call of Duty: Black Ops. The playable characters in this map are President John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Robert McNamara, and Fidel Castro. A new Wonder Weapon, the Winter's Howl, has been introduced on this map. New features in this map include the use of elevators, the DEFCON control system, American zombies, and the Pentagon Thief. The Pentagon Thief substitutes the Hellhounds, which do not appear in the map. Also it is the first map with incomplete traps, which require one part each before being available for use. Unlike other maps featuring teleporters, this map has multiple teleporters and they can be used by zombies. It is the fourth map where the electricity is required to be turned on. The map may be based off a canceled multiplayer map titled "Pentagon." This is also the first map to not have the four main characters in it since they have been introduced.

Dead Ops Arcade


Dead Ops Arcade is an arcade based Zombies game in Call of Duty: Black Ops and the seventh in the game mode. The player can unlock this by breaking free from the chair and typing in "DOA" or "3ARC UNLOCK" in the computer. "3ARC UNLOCK" will also unlock all Campaign levels for Mission Select and "Five" if not completed. By doing this, the player will also unlock the "Insert Coin" achievement for 5G or a bronze trophy, and can access Dead Ops Arcade from the Zombies menu. This map plays no role in the Zombies plot. 50 levels of Dead Ops Arcade are featured on the iOS version of Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies.

Ascension


"The risen dead have overtaken a Soviet cosmodrome and all Hell has broken loose. The countdown to the zombie apocalypse has begun."

- Ascension

Ascension is the eighth map in the Zombies game mode, included in the First Strike map pack. It takes place in an abandoned Soviet Cosmodrome. There are two new perks, Stamin-Up and PhD Flopper. Double Tap Root Beer doesn't return, but was initially set to appear. Space Monkeys have replaced the Pentagon Thief and Hellhounds. There is a new power-up introduced here, the Random Perk Bottle, which grants the player a random perk. Two new Wonder Weapons made their debut, the Gersch Device and the Matryoshka Doll, both of which are tactical grenades. The Bowie Knife is not in this map, as it is replaced by a Russian counterpart (only for aesthetic purposes), the Sickle which works exactly the same. The four original characters, Tank Dempsey, Nikolai Belinski, Takeo Masaki, and Edward Richtofen return. It is the second map where players can have zombies spawn next to them. It is the only map with the Lunar Lander, a utility that works similarly to the Teleporter. It is the fifth map where the electricity is required to be turned on. This map features Russian cosmonaut, scientist, military and civilian zombies. However, gas zombies do not return. This map also advances the zombie storyline much more than the previous Call of Duty: Black Ops map Kino der Toten. This map includes more radios similar to the ones in Der Riese and the Kassimir Mechanism Easter Egg which advances the story of Samantha Maxis as a demonic being. Characters from "Five" can be heard on this map by using the three red telephones, indicating that the two maps occur simultaneously. The map is based on Launch. Ascension is also available on the iOS version of Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies.

Call of the Dead


"A shipwrecked crew of fearless explorers is hopelessly stranded in an abandoned Siberian outpost. Their dream of discovering the true origins of the Element 115 unravels into a hellish nightmare."

- Call of the Dead

Call of the Dead is the ninth map in Zombies game mode included in the Escalation map pack. It is the first to feature real life celebrities as the playable characters, instead of "the original crew". The celebrities are Sarah Michelle Gellar, Robert Englund, Michael Rooker, and Danny Trejo. It also features George A. Romero as a special boss-zombie that spawns before the first round. The map is also the first to include regular Ziplines and the Flinger. There are two new Wonder Weapons, the V-R11 and the Scavenger. It also introduces a new Perk-a-Cola called Deadshot Daiquiri. The Original Characters Trapped is an Easter Egg in this map where the player must help the four 'original' characters escape to Paradise. The Wunderwaffe DG-2 makes a re-appearance as a Power-Up (called the Lightning Bolt), awarded after completing the Original Characters Trapped Easter Egg, however, it hasn't re-appeared in any maps so far. However, The Staff of Lightning works like Wunderwaffe DG-2 on Origins. Call of the Dead is also available on the iOS version of Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies and features the original characters instead of the celebrities.

Shangri-La


"A legendary shrine lost in an exotic jungle. Where the undead lurk within a treacherous labyrinth of underground caverns, deadly traps and dark secrets."

- Shangri-La

Shangri-La is the tenth map in Zombies game mode, included in the Annihilation map pack. The four original characters return as the playable characters after being teleported here from the Siberian facility in Call of the Dead. It is the first to feature the new Napalm Zombies, Shrieker Zombies and Zombie Monkeys. The map includes many new utilities, which include the Mine Cart, the Geyser, and the Water Slide. It also features a new equipment; the Spikemore and the new Wonder Weapon, the 31-79 JGb215. There is also a major Easter Egg in this map referred to as Eclipse, which rewards a player with the Focusing Stone, giving them every perk on the map permanently until the game ends, and is the only Easter Egg that can be completed more than once per game.

Moon


"I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth. (John F. Kennedy, 1961)"

- Level Description

Moon is the eleventh map in the Zombies game mode, included in the Rezurrection map pack. It starts off at Area 51, otherwise known as, No Man's Land, where for the second time, Hellhounds spawn with zombies after a certain amount of time. Teleporters return, and the main area takes place on a base on the moon. The four original characters return as playable characters. It features new Wonder Weapons, one of which is called the Wave Gun, which has a dual-wieldable function (dubbed the Zap Gun Dual Wield) and the Quantum Entanglement Device (QED), a new tactical grenade. The map also introduces the Phasing Zombies and Astronaut Zombies and sees the return of the Crawler Zombies and Hellhounds. The map also introduces a new Perk-a-Cola called Mule Kick and two new pieces of equipment called the P.E.S. and the Hacker. The map does not feature any traps, but does have a new utility: the Launch Pad. There is also a major Easter Egg in this map, referred to as Richtofen's Grand Scheme, which helps Richtofen gain control of the zombies.

Green Run
"Continue the fight against the undead and search for clues to the truth of what lies ahead..."

- Level Description

Green Run is the twelfth map in the Zombies game mode and is the main location of the Zombies mode, TranZit in Call of Duty: Black Ops II. It takes place directly after the apocalypse, more specifically, after Richtofen's Grand Scheme on Moon. When playing in Survival, Green Run is divided into three separate maps: Bus Depot, Farm, and Town, the latter two are also playable in Grief mode. Diner is only available when playing Turned.

Nuketown Zombies
"Mass-energy equivalence, secret tests, crash landing perks. Survive in the iconic Nuketown, where the past and the future come together."

- Level Description Nuketown Zombies is the thirteenth map in the Zombies game mode, included in the Hardened Edition, Care Package Edition, and Season Pass of Call of Duty: Black Ops II, it is remade from the fan-favorite multiplayer map from Call of Duty: Black Ops. It occurs at the same time as the map, 'Moon'. Nuketown Zombies takes place in the aftermath of the nuke explosion from the Call of Duty: Black Ops multiplayer map and simultaneously coincides with Richtofen's Grand Scheme. This is the third map to feature random Perk-a-Cola machines spawn. There are no zombie bosses to fight in Nuketown.

Die Rise
"High above ground, the terrifying combination of dizzying heights and the relentless undead may be your downfall."

- Level Description

Die Rise is the fourteenth map in the Zombies game mode, included in the Revolution downloadable content pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops II. The map takes place in China, throughout the interior of toppled and crumbling skyscrapers. The Die Rise Easter Egg continues from the Tower of Babble Easter Egg from Green Run. It features a new buildable weapon, the Sliquifier and another the Trample Steam that launches players across buildings and kills zombies that move over it. Die rise also features new wall weapons, the AN-94, the PDW-57 and the SVU-AS. Elevators transport random Perk-a-Cola machines and the Pack-a-Punch Machine up and down the floors. New to the map is the Who's Who perk, which allows players to revive their character with a doppelganger of their character that spawns when they are downed.

Mob of the Dead
"Battle the undead as you attempt to break free from the physical and metaphorical incarceration of Alcatraz Prison."

- Level Description

Mob of the Dead is the fifteenth map in the Zombies game mode. It is included in the Uprising downloadable content pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops II. The map takes place at. This map includes four brand-new characters, those being; Finn O'Leary, Albert Arlington, Salvatore DeLuca and Billy Handsome, who are mobsters that are inmates in the prison. It also includes a new wonder weapon, The Blundergat and a new perk, Electric Cherry. A new boss zombie known as Brutus can also spawn in with regular zombies. There are a variety of sub-objectives the player can complete to earn special items such as the Hell's Retriever, Hell's Redeemer, and the Golden Spork. This is the first map in Call of Duty: Black Ops II to feature traps and the Afterlife. This is the first Zombies map with an alternative ending other than death.

Buried
"Are you afraid of dark, tight spaces? Confront your deepest fears as you battle the undead in an underground obstacle course of mental challenges. You are now... 'Buried'."

- Level Description

Buried is the sixteenth map in the Zombies game mode. It is included in the Vengeance downloadable content pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops II. It features a new perk, Vulture Aid, which when equipped will cause zombies to drop "ammo packs" with random amounts of bullets in each pile, "money bags" with anywhere between 5 to 20 points, or it will trigger the appurtenance of zombies with green smoke coming out of them, which a player can stand in upon their death and not be attacked other zombies. Vulture Aid is also capable of showing all available wall weapons. Another new twist on zombie gameplay is that the chalk for specific weapons must first be obtained, and can then be used to draw that weapon on specific points in the map to enable the players to purchase said weapon. The map features several new weapons, such as the Paralyzer, the Ray Gun Mark II, and the Remington New Model Army revolver, in addition to a new equipment, the Time Bomb which when thrown will send players back to the round it was thrown on. The Giant, a friendly NPC will also appear in this map, along with the Ghosts that will appear once a player has ventured into the haunted mansion.

Origins
Origins is the seventeenth map in the Zombies game mode. It is included in the Apocalypse downloadable content pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops II. It will include a new Perk-a-Cola machine, new power-ups and 4 new buildable elemental staff Wonder Weapons, as well as new enemies, including the Panzer Soldat and the Giant Mech. The original characters, Tank Dempsey, Nikolai Belinski, Takeo Masaki and Edward Richtofen appear as playable characters for the first and only time in Call of Duty: Black Ops II.

iOS/Android Applications


On November 16 2009, Nazi Zombies was released for the iOS as an application for £6.99 (UK) and $9.99 (US). Originally, only Nacht der Untoten was available to play, but Treyarch confirmed that other maps would be released in the future. Verrückt was released for £2.99 and $4.99 on February 11 2010. The iOS version have lower quality graphics than their console counterparts, but they do include leaderboards, unique Achievements and 3 different control schemes. The game also includes an Aim-Assist like feature, as the camera will snap onto nearby targets, even from the hip. On June 2, 2010, version 1.4 was released, and along with it, Shi No Numa, the third map to be released for the iOS also for £2.99 and $4.99. As of September 30,undefined2010, version 1.5 was released and includes Der Riese, the fourth map, for no additional payment, new achievements, better zombies AI, improved graphics, the previous two maps were also made free, and made the app itself £2.99 and $4.99.

Call of Duty: Black Ops: Zombies was released for the iOS for £4.99 (UK) and $6.99 (US) on December 1, 2011, and August 2012 on Android. The application features Kino, Ascension, Call of the Dead: Director's Cut & Dead Ops Arcade. It boasts four player online (Local Wi-Fi only on Android) as well as new voice chat, which utilizes the device's internal microphone. It is also the first time you can choose from the four original playable characters. The controls are similar to its predecessor, but appearance has changed drastically to a comic book-style theme based off the consoles version's loading screens. Dead Ops Arcade is unlocked after finding four hidden coins in the main menu screen (similar to how it is unlocked in the console version). It includes 50 levels, 10 more than on consoles, as well as all of the power-ups featured in the original.

Call of Duty: Black Ops
Players that bought the Hardened or Prestige editions of the game or the Rezurrection map pack have access to the original four maps. The maps have had updates to their graphics and Cold War-era guns added to the Mystery Box. The four main characters have been added to all of the original maps, replacing the unnamed Marines.

All games come with Kino der Toten automatically unlocked, while "Five" is unlocked once the player completes the campaign on any difficulty. Dead Ops Arcade is unlocked once the player enters a code in the terminal. The First Strike map pack includes the level Ascension, the Escalation map pack includes Call of the Dead, the Annihilation map pack includes Shangri-La, and the Rezurrection map pack includes the level Moon with the four Nazi Zombies Maps from Call of Duty: World at War.

There is a Zombies Mode for the Nintendo Wii edition of Call of Duty: Black Ops. The only map available is Kino Der Toten, in which the graphics are scaled down in quality. A patch hinted to the release of "Five" and Dead Ops Arcade for the Nintendo Wii as it contained images of them contained in folders marked "dlc1", "dlc2", "dlc3", however, they were never released.

Call of Duty: Black Ops (Nintendo DS)
Zombie Mode appears on Call of Duty: Black Ops (Nintendo DS), in a similar format to the consoles. The concept of the game and many mechanics are the same, but many changes have also been made, such as an increase in damage from the zombies (able to down the player in one hit at round one), an increase in zombies' health, more points needed to buy weapons and doors (players are awarded more points for kills) and barrier mechanics (cannot be repaired while being destroyed, zombies able to attack when mantling the barrier).

Maps

 * The House — Abandoned house in the North.
 * The Facility — Abandoned research facility.
 * The Temple — Remotely located temple.
 * Overlook — Abandoned outpost.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II
Zombies Mode returns in Call of Duty: Black Ops II. The mode now supports up to eight-player co-operative in Grief and runs on the game's multiplayer engine, rather than a modified singleplayer engine as in Call of Duty: World at War and Call of Duty: Black Ops. It also supports four-player co-operative split screen.

Additionally, a promotional poster for the game depicts a woman, now known as "Misty", wearing plaid shirt, a trucker hat with the number "1221" on it, a sheathed sword, a Winchester Rifle, and a decapitated head of a zombie.

The story appears to follow a group of four survivors: Abigail "Misty" Briarton, Marlton Johnson, Samuel Stuhlinger, and Russman, surviving the events following the destruction of Earth in Richtofen's Grand Scheme in the American South-West, and must fight the nationwide apocalypse to survive the harsh environment. Elsewhere, U.S. surviving government factions CIA and CDC (Center for Disease Control) must combat each other to gain the upper hand in survival with the zombies.

Later on, this group is teleported to China, where they survive against SDC and Chinese civilian zombies.

In another downloadable map, Mob of the Dead, four mobsters imprisoned in Alcatraz, Finn O'Leary, Albert Arlington, Salvatore DeLuca and Billy Handsome, fight off the endless waves of the undead in the 1930's. This map is the first map to have an actual ending, without being killed by zombies.

In the next map, the 4 original survivors travel to Africa, where they survive in an underground western town against old western zombies.

The final map has the four original characters, Tank Dempsey, Nikolai Belinski, Takeo Masaki and Edward Richtofen meeting for the first time and fighting off zombies at a battlefield in Northern France.

Numerous choices are now given to the player in lobbies such as what round to start on (1, 5, 10, 15 or 20); enabling or disabling Hellhounds; turning power-ups and other "supernatural" advantages (called "Magic") on or off; as well as headshots only. An "easy" difficulty is also given in addition to the original.

Theater mode is also introduced in to Zombies, similar to the one in multiplayer.

The maximum amount of points a player could have in a match is 1,000,000 points.

Verrückt

 * Lullaby For A Dead Man - Elena Siegman - To activate this song, go to the toilets on the German side and flush the leftmost toilet three times.

Shi No Numa

 * The One - Elena Siegman - To activate it, the player must hold down the action/use button three times on the telephone in the Comm Room.

Der Riese

 * Beauty of Annihilation - Elena Siegman - To play it, the player must hold down the use button in front of three jars containing green liquid and spinal cords attached to brains.

Kino der Toten

 * 115 - Elena Siegman - Activated by pressing the use button on the three hidden meteor fragments throughout the map.

"Five"

 * Won't Back Down - Eminem - Activated by pressing the use button on the three red telephones throughout the map.

Ascension

 * Abracadavre - Elena Siegman - Activated by pressing the use button on the three hidden teddy bears holding sickles throughout the map.

Call of the Dead

 * Not Ready to Die - Avenged Sevenfold - Activated by pressing the use button on the three hidden meteor fragments.

Shangri-La

 * Pareidolia - Elena Siegman - Activated by pressing the use button on the three hidden meteor fragments.

Moon

 * Coming Home - Elena Siegman - Activated by pressing the use button on the three hidden teddy bears wearing space helmets.
 * Nightmare - Avenged Sevenfold - Activated by getting the One Giant Leap achievement.

Natch der Untoten (Black Ops version)

 * Undone - Kevin Sherwood (Instrumental) - Players need to shoot a specific amount of red barrels outside of the map in order to hear the song play.

TranZit

 * Carry On - Avenged Sevenfold - Activated by pressing the use button on three teddy bears in a specific order. Removed after a patch. Preview
 * Carrion - Kevin Sherwood and Clark S. Nova - Activated by pressing the use button on three teddy bears.
 * Imma Try it Out - Skrillex - Activated by pressing the use button on three teddy bears in a specific order. Removed after a patch.

Die Rise

 * We All Fall Down - Kevin Sherwood - Activated by pressing the use button on the three hidden teddy bears.

Mob of the Dead

 * Where Are We Going - Malukah - Put in the number 935 to activate.
 * Rusty Cage - Johnny Cash - Activated by pressing the use button on the three hidden red bottles.

Buried

 * Always Running - Malukah - Activated by pressing the use button on the three hidden teddy bears.

Origins

 * Archangel - Kevin Sherwood, Clark S. Nova, Malukah and Elena Siegman - Activated by pressing the use button on the three hidden green rock.
 * Shepherd of Fire - Avenged Sevenfold - Activated by pressing the use button on the three hidden red radios.
 * Aether - Activated by pressing the use button on the two '1's on the floor next to Generator 1 (no power required), and then on one of the '5's on the floor next to Generator 5 (power required), making '115'.

Ranking System
A ranking system is a new feature that was introduced in Call of Duty: Black Ops II. It has a total of five levels, a bone, a cross bone, a skull, a skull stabbed with a knife and a skull with two shotguns.

There is not a clear explanation on the emblems' requirements, although numbers of ways have been speculated. It seems that it is most determined on consistent overall good performance. The player can get demoted to a lower rank for lowering their performance.

The tally marks on the emblem depend on the player's recent activity. The player will get a tally mark each day they play at least one match. Not playing will reduce one tally mark per day. There is, however, a rare glitch which will reduce the tally even if the player has played a match.

General

 * In Call of Duty: Black Ops, only a maximum number of 24 zombies can be alive at one time. A larger amount can be alive in Call of Duty: Black Ops II. If a zombie cannot hit a player within a certain amount of time, the zombie dies, allowing another zombie to spawn. In Call of Duty: World at War, only 24 Zombies can be on the map in an entire round, with the exception of Der Riese. This makes getting to higher rounds much easier.
 * So far, there has been a total of 44 playable characters. This includes the Marines, CIA Agents, CDC Soldiers, Alcatraz Prisoners, Alcatraz Guards, Samantha, Rook, and the two from Call of Duty: Black Ops (Nintendo DS) (this does not count the Zombies).
 * The music that plays when each round ends on all maps (except in Mob of the Dead, Buried and Origins) is heard in Hell's Gate, a track from Call of Duty: World at War soundtrack.

Call of Duty: World at War

 * While playing co-op, it is not possible to use the "/record" console command.
 * This mode is not available in the Nintendo Wii and all German versions.

Call of Duty: Black Ops

 * Just before the countdown to the start of an online match, the words "Locking in bets" can appear briefly above the players names in the lobby, as if it were a Wager Match.
 * Kino der Toten is the only map available in the Nintendo Wii version.
 * On the Nintendo Wii version, Zombies Mode will open up in a different screen, much like Multiplayer mode.
 * On the Nintendo Wii version, if one looks up to the sky in the Alley on Kino der Toten, one can see four black boxes.
 * Gore is disabled in all German versions.
 * When switching to Zombies, the interrogator becomes a zombie and attempts to break through the glass and reach Mason.
 * Sometimes the player will get downed in one scratch from a zombie. This glitch has not been fixed.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II

 * It is now possible to invite players in the middle of the game instead of just waiting for a new game to invite players. This applies only to Custom Games.
 * Zombies will automatically die if all players go far enough from them. If they are not damaged, they will re-spawn closer to the player.

Map Pack 2 - Shi No Numa

 * Hammer Time (10 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png - Obtained by repairing 200 windows.
 * Dead Air (10 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by activating "The One."
 * Perk-a-Holic (20 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by having all perks at the same time.
 * It's A Trap! (20 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by killing at least one zombie with three different traps in one round.
 * Weapon Of Minor Destruction (20 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by using a Nuke to kill one zombie.
 * Big Brawler (30 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by killing 10 zombies while Insta-Kill is on.
 * Fertilizer Man (30 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by killing 200 zombies in one life.
 * Big Baller (30 Gamerscore.png/ Silver Trophy Silver Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by getting 75,000 in a single game.
 * Deadhead (30 Gamerscore.png/ Silver Trophy Silver Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by killing 150 Zombies with headshots in one game.
 * Soul Survivor (50 Gamerscore.png/ Silver Trophy Silver Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by getting to round 15 with no downs.

Map Pack 3 - Der Riese

 * Elevate your Senses (25 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by activating the Fly Trap.
 * Locksmith (25 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by opening all doors in Der Riese.
 * 40 Knives (25 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by killing 40 Zombies with the Bowie Knife.
 * Der Electrician (25 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by linking all the teleporters by round 7.
 * Frequent Flyer (25 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by teleporting 8 times.
 * Wacker Packer (25 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by using any weapon to Pack-A-Punch.
 * The Might Of The Monkey (25 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by using the Monkey Bomb.
 * Perkaholics Anonymous (25 Gamerscore.png/ Silver Trophy Silver Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by surviving to Round 20 without perks.
 * Acquire Waffle Weapons (25 Gamerscore.png/ Silver Trophy Silver Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by getting the Ray Gun, Wunderwaffe DG-2, and the Monkey Bomb at one time.
 * Pack Addict (25 Gamerscore.png/ Silver Trophy Silver Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by upgrading 5 weapons in one life.

Call of Duty: Black Ops

 * Insert Coin (5 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by playing Dead Ops Arcade for the first time.
 * See Me, Stab Me, Heal Me (15 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by Pack-a-Punching the Ballistic Knife and shooting it to revive a downed teammate.
 * Sacrificial Lamb (15 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by killing 6 zombies by getting shot or shooting a person with the Pack-a-Punched Crossbow.
 * Hands Off the Merchandise (20 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by killing the Pentagon Thief before he steals your gun.
 * Easy Rhino (10 Gamerscore.png/ Silver Trophy Silver Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by using the Speed Boost to kill 20 zombies.
 * The Collector (20 Gamerscore.png/ Silver Trophy Silver Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by buying all off-wall guns in a single game.

First Strike Map Pack - Ascension

 * The Eagle has Landers (35 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by using all 3 Lunar Landers in one game
 * They are going THROUGH! (35 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained using the Gersch Device to kill 5 zombies.
 * Chimp on the Barbie (35 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by killing a monkey with the Fire Trap.
 * Space Race (45 Gamerscore.png/ Silver Trophy Silver Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by Pack-a-Punching a weapon before round 8.

Escalation Map Pack - Call of the Dead

 * Stuntman (20 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by making a zombie explode with the VR-11.
 * Shooting on Location (20 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by killing 10 zombies with a Scavenger shot over 100 feet away.
 * Quiet on the Set (30 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by killing the Director.
 * Stand-in (35 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by sending the crew to Paradise on solo or co-op.
 * Ensemble Cast (45 Gamerscore.png/ Silver Trophy Silver Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by sending the "Crew" to Paradise on co-op.

Annihilation Map Pack - Shangri-La

 * Monkey See, Monkey Don't (5 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by getting something from the monkeys.
 * Small Consolation (10 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by using the 31-79 JGb215 on each type of zombie.
 * Blinded By The Fright (30 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by killing a Shrieker Zombie while blinded by it.
 * Zomb Disposal (30 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by disposing of a Napalm Zombie without it harming any players.
 * Time Travel Will Tell (75 Gamerscore.png/ Silver Trophy Silver Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by acquiring the Focusing Stone.

Rezurrection Map Pack - Moon

 * One Small Hack for a Man... (5 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by hacking something
 * One Giant Leap (5 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by becoming trapped in the Receiving Area and free yourself through resurrection in co-op.
 * Ground Control (10 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by preventing each excavator from breaching the base in one game.
 * Fully Armed and Operational (25 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by acquiring 3 Pack-a-Punched weapons at the same time.
 * Perks in Spaaaaace (30 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by purchasing every Perk in one game.
 * Cryogenic Slumber Party (75 Gamerscore.png/ Silver Trophy Silver Trophy PS3 icon.png) - Obtained by completing the first half of Richtofen's Grand Scheme.
 * Big Bang Theory (100 Gamerscore.png) - Obtained by gaining sweet, sweet, revenge.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II

 * Tower Of Babble (75 Gamerscore.png/ Silver Trophy Silver Trophy PS3 icon.png) In TranZit, obey the voices.
 * Don't Fire Until You See (30 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) In TranZit, have all doors opened without being set on fire.
 * The Lights Of Their Eyes (5 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png In Green Run, pacify at least 10 zombies with 1 EMP Grenade.
 * Undead Man's Party Bus(15 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) In TranZit, complete all additions to the bus in 1 game.
 * Dance On My Grave (5 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) In Green Run, acquire your tombstone using Tombstone Soda.
 * Standard Equipment May Vary (25 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) In TranZit, acquire 4 different equippable items in 1 game.
 * You Have No Power Over Me (10 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) In TranZit, kill "him" (the Avogadro) before being attacked by "him". Note: The Avogadro will electrocute the player when he enters the map, but it will not count as being "attacked" by him.
 * I Don't Think They Exist (10 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) In TranZit, kill one of the Denizens of the Forest while it is latched onto you.
 * Fuel Efficient (10 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) In TranZit, use an alternate mode of transportation.
 * Happy Hour (10 Gamerscore.png/ Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) In TranZit, buy 2 perks before turning on the power.

Revolution Map Pack - Die Rise and Diner Turned

 * High Maintenance (75 Gamerscore.png/Silver Trophy Silver Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Die Rise, be the architect of their instruction.
 * Vertigoner (10 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Die Rise, fling 10 zombies in one game.
 * Mad Without Power (30 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Die Rise, reach round 10 before turning on the power.
 * Shafted (35 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Die Rise, use Pack-a-Punch and all perk machines in one game.
 * Slippery When Undead (15 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Die Rise, kill 5 zombies with a single shot from the Sliquifier.
 * Facing The Dragon (10 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Die Rise, face the dragon head-on before reaching round 2.
 * I'm My Own Best Friend (10 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Die Rise, revive yourself.
 * Polyarmory (30 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Diner Turned, get a kill with each primary weapon in a Public Match.
 * Monkey See, Monkey Doom (15 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Diner Turned, requires the player to retrieve a chained Cymbal Monkey in a Public Match.
 * I See Live People (20 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Diner Turned, kill the human while its decoy is in play in a Public Match.

Uprising Map Pack - Mob of the Dead

 * No One Escapes Alive (75 Gamerscore.png/Silver Trophy Silver Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Mob of the Dead, execute the escape plan.
 * Feed the Beast (10 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Mob of the Dead, obtain Hell's Retriever.
 * Making the Rounds (30 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Mob of the Dead, complete the cycle 3 times.
 * Acid Drip (20 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Mob of the Dead, cover a weapon using a kit.
 * Full Lockdown (25 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Mob of the Dead, Brutus complete his patrol.
 * A Burst of Flavor (15 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Mob of the Dead, kill 10 zombies at once with a new beverage.
 * GG Bridge (30 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Mob of the Dead, survive an entire round on the bridge on round 15 or higher.
 * Trapped in Time (15 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Mob of the Dead, use and upgrade all traps before round 10.
 * Pop Goes the Weasel (25 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Mob of the Dead, break the cyle.
 * Paranormal Progress (5 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Mob of the Dead, open a door without spending points.

Vengeance Map Pack - Buried

 * Mined Games (Silver Trophy) - In Buried, be their pawn.
 * Ectoplasmic Residue (Bronze Trophy) - In Buried, acquire a free perk.
 * I'm Your Huckleberry  (Bronze Trophy) - In Buried, access all areas with the help of your new friend in one game.
 * Death From Below  (Bronze Trophy) - In Buried, drop the beat on 10 zombies in one game
 * Candygram (Bronze Trophy) - In Buried, make a candy delivery.
 * Awaken Gazebo (Bronze Trophy) - In Buried, Pack-A-Punch a weapon during round 1 with no one using the Bank or Weapons Locker.
 * Revisionist Historian (Bronze Trophy) - In Buried, rewrite history.
 * Mazed and Confused (Bronze Trophy) - In Buried, survive within the maze on round 20 or higher
 * FSIRT Against the Wall  (Bronze Trophy) - In Buried, purchase the LSAT off the wall and Pack-A-Punch it.
 * When the Revolution Comes (Bronze Trophy) In Buried, return to processing.

Apocalypse Map Pack - Origins

 * Little Lost Girl (75 Gamerscore.png/Silver Trophy Silver Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Origins, release Samantha.
 * Not a Gold Digger (5 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze_Trophy_PS3_icon.png) - In Origins, share a weapon you dug up.
 * All Your Base (15 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze_Trophy_PS3_icon.png) - In Origins, active all generators without allowing one to stop.
 * Kung Fu Grip (15 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze_Trophy_PS3_icon.png) - In Origins, free yourself and another from the Panzer Soldat's claw in one game.
 * Playing with Power (30 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze_Trophy_PS3_icon.png) - In Origins, build all elemental staffs in one game.
 * I'm on a Tank! (10 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze_Trophy_PS3_icon.png) - In Origins, ride the tank around the map without getting out.
 * Saving the Day... All Day (20 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze_Trophy_PS3_icon.png) - In Origins, revive another player four different ways in one game.
 * Master of Disguise (15 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze_Trophy_PS3_icon.png) - In Origins, use Zombie Blood to revive three players and activate a generator in one game.
 * Overachiever (25 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze_Trophy_PS3_icon.png) - In Origins, complete all 4 Challenges in one game.
 * Master Wizard (40 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze_Trophy_PS3_icon.png) - In Origins, wield all of the ultimate staffs in one game.