Nacht der Untoten, meaning “Night of the Undead” in German, is the very first Zombies map introduced in Call of Duty: World at War. This iconic map set the foundation for the entire Zombies mode, which later became one of the most beloved features of the Call of Duty series. With its eerie atmosphere, relentless waves of zombies, and simple yet challenging gameplay, Nacht der Untoten remains a fan favorite even today. Whether you’re new to the game or a veteran looking to sharpen your survival skills, this guide will cover everything you need to know about Nacht der Untoten, including gameplay tips, hidden secrets, and the best strategies to stay alive.
What Is Nacht der Untoten?
Nacht der Untoten is the very first Zombies map introduced in the Call of Duty franchise, debuting in World at War in 2008. It was a hidden bonus mode that players unlocked after completing the campaign, and it quickly became one of the most popular game modes in Call of Duty history.
The map is set in an abandoned, war-torn bunker where players must survive endless waves of undead enemies. Unlike later maps, Nacht der Untoten is relatively small, with only a few rooms to explore and no Pack-a-Punch machine. The lack of advanced features makes the map both simple and extremely challenging, as players have to rely on their skills, weapons, and a bit of luck to survive.
Despite its simplicity, Nacht der Untoten is known for its terrifying atmosphere, dim lighting, and haunting zombie sounds. Over the years, this map has been remastered multiple times, appearing in different versions of Call of Duty, including Black Ops, Black Ops III, and Call of Duty Mobile.
How to Play Nacht der Untoten?
Playing Nacht der Untoten is straightforward, but mastering it is a different story. The main objective is survival—players must fend off endless waves of zombies for as long as possible. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to play:
- Start the Game – Players spawn in a small, dimly lit room with a few boarded-up windows. Zombies will begin breaking through these barriers.
- Kill Zombies and Earn Points – Each zombie kill rewards points, which can be used to buy weapons, open doors, or repair barriers.
- Unlock New Areas – As the rounds progress, players can open doors to access new parts of the bunker, including the Mystery Box location.
- Survive as Long as Possible – The difficulty increases with each round as zombies become faster and stronger. The game only ends when all players are eliminated.
Unlike later Zombies maps, Nacht der Untoten has no Pack-a-Punch machine, no perk machines (except in some remastered versions), and no advanced mechanics like buildable items or easter eggs. This forces players to rely purely on gun skill, movement, and smart positioning.
Best Strategies for Nacht der Untoten
Surviving in Nacht der Untoten requires more than just shooting zombies. Since the map is small and offers limited resources, players need a solid strategy to stay alive for as many rounds as possible. Here are some of the best strategies:
Where to Find the Mystery Box?
The Mystery Box is one of the most important features in Nacht der nacht der undertoten . It contains a random selection of weapons, including some of the best guns in the game.
- The Mystery Box always spawns in the same location: in the second room upstairs.
- It costs 950 points to use, and the weapon you receive is completely random.
- Some of the best weapons, like the Ray Gun, can only be obtained from the Mystery Box.
Since ammo is limited and wall weapons are weak in later rounds, hitting the Mystery Box early can give you a much better chance of survival.
Best Weapons to Use
Choosing the right weapons is essential in Nacht der Untoten, especially since there are no Pack-a-Punch upgrades. Here are some of the best weapons to use:
- Ray Gun – The most powerful weapon in the game, capable of killing zombies in one shot in early rounds.
- M1911 (Upgraded in Later Versions) – This basic pistol becomes the explosive Mustang & Sally in some versions of the game.
- Thompson – A great wall weapon with a decent fire rate and good ammo capacity.
- M1897 Trench Gun – A powerful shotgun that can take out multiple zombies at once.
Wall weapons are reliable in the early rounds, but once the zombies get stronger, using the Mystery Box becomes essential to get higher-damage weapons.
How to Train Zombies Like a Pro?
Training is a technique where players group zombies together in a tight formation, making it easier to kill them all at once. Since Nacht der Untoten has limited space, training zombies can be difficult but not impossible.
Here’s how to train zombies effectively:
- Stick to Open Areas – The starting room and the upstairs area are the best places to train zombies.
- Move in a Circular Motion – Run in loops to gather zombies into a tight group before shooting.
- Use a Submachine Gun or Ray Gun – Fast-firing weapons are best for clearing groups of zombies.
By mastering the art of training, players can survive much longer and conserve ammo.
Hidden Secrets in Nacht der Untoten
Although Nacht der Untoten is a simple map, it contains several hidden secrets:
- Radio Messages – Some versions of the map feature hidden radios that play eerie messages, hinting at the larger Zombies storyline.
- Meteor Fragment – A small meteor fragment can be found in the corner of the map, connecting to the later Aether storyline.
- Hidden Sounds – Strange whispers and zombie groans can be heard throughout the map, adding to its eerie atmosphere.
These small details helped build the mysterious lore behind Zombies mode, making Nacht der Untoten even more intriguing.
Nacht der Untoten Map Layout
Nacht der Untoten is a small, three-room map. Here’s a basic layout:
- Spawn Room – The starting area with a few weapons on the walls and multiple windows.
- Upper Floor – The Mystery Box is located here, along with a few more weapons.
- Back Room – Another small area with limited space for movement.
The lack of space makes it difficult to survive in later rounds, so choosing the right camping spots and training locations is key.
Differences Between Nacht der Untoten Versions
Nacht der Untoten in World at War
- The original version, featuring no perks and only basic weapons.
Nacht der Untoten in Black Ops Versions
- Included in Black Ops and Black Ops III, with additional weapons and the Mule Kick perk.
Nacht der Untoten in Call of Duty Mobile
- A mobile-optimized version with updated graphics and more weapon choices.
Why Is Nacht der Untoten So Popular?
Despite being the simplest Zombies map, Nacht der Untoten remains one of the most popular due to its eerie atmosphere, challenging gameplay, and nostalgic value. It introduced players to the Zombies experience, setting the stage for future maps and the entire storyline.
The Bottom Line
Nacht der Untoten may be a small map, but its impact on Call of Duty Zombies is massive. It introduced the world to zombie survival, paving the way for bigger and more complex maps. Whether you’re playing for nostalgia or trying to set a new high round, mastering Nacht der Untoten is a rewarding challenge that every Zombies fan should experience.
