The Story of Call of Duty’s Nuketown Map

The first appearance of the Nuketown map was in the original release of Call of Duty: Black Ops. The setting of this battleground was a nuclear testing site and it featured two model homes at its ends. Scattered across the area were mannequins which provided a sense of surrealism. The location became popular due to its simple design and fast-paced fights, and it became a recurring element in the Black Ops series.

The Evolution of Nuketown

Because of its popularity, Nuketown underwent various transformations throughout the Call of Duty series.

The original Nuketown in Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010) drew inspiration from a 1950s suburban nuclear test site and was designed by Adam Hoggatt from Treyarch, all within two days. The design of this map was loved by players as it facilitated intense and dynamic gameplay due to its symmetrical layout and compact design.

In Black Ops 2, the map was redesigned and dubbed Nuketown 2025. It had a 1960s suburb aesthetic and to add a spin to its classic design, an easter egg was incorporated into it that allowed players to unlock Atari games.

Another version of Nuketown, called Nuketown Zombies, appeared in the same game. Set in a Nuketown devastated by a nuclear explosion, the map was filled with unique features including changing zombie eyes and Perk-a-Cola machines that brought a different level of tension to the gameplay.

Black Ops Cold War introduced Nuketown ’84. The version possessed a post-apocalyptic vibe, with the map being covered in graffiti and resembling a ghost town from the Cold War era. Elements like faster spawn flips and a smaller jeep for reduced cover added a fresh take to the fan-favorite map.

Thematic variants of Nuketown also featured in later games in the series. Black Ops 3 included a futuristic redesign that split fans due to its sci-fi appeal, while Black Ops 4 introduced a Russian-themed version complete with a snow-filled landscape and previously inaccessible bunkers.

Following this, a new version called “Nuketown Island” was added to the battle royale mode in Black Ops 4, offering players an exploration underneath in a bunker system.

A refreshed version of the original Nuketown map returned in 2024, with graphics improvement to keep up with the time while preserving its 1950s Nevada test site aesthetic.

Impact of Nuketown

Nuketown holds a legendary status in the history of Call of Duty. It is recognized for its adept design and replayability, and has featured in almost every Black Ops installment. Each variant of the map reflects the respective era or theme of the game it appears in.

Aside from the combat experience, Nuketown is also cherished for its hidden easter eggs, zombie survival mode enhancements, and the vast connections it made in the spinoff such as the Nuketown Island in Blackout. These engaging elements have succeeded in maintaining the appeal of the map in the franchise.