Zombie games have thrilled players for decades, blending horror, survival, and action in unforgettable ways.
From heart-pounding shooters to eerie survival experiences, the best zombie games test your wits, reflexes, and resourcefulness. Classics like Resident Evil, Left 4 Dead, and The Last of Us have set the gold standard, while newer titles continue to innovate.
No matter what style or genre, it never gets boring to fight the undead. Here is our list of the best zombie games of all time, ranked.
10. DayZ
| Initial Release Date | December 13, 2018 |
| Developer | Bohemia Interactive |
| Platform(s) | – PC – Xbox One – PlayStation 4 |
DayZ (2018) is an intense, open-world survival game that drops players into a post-apocalyptic landscape filled with zombies and hostile survivors. The game focuses on hardcore survival mechanics, including scavenging for food, water, and weapons while managing health, stamina, and diseases.
With its vast, unpredictable world and player-driven interactions, every encounter can lead to cooperation or deadly conflict. The game’s high-stakes realism, permadeath system, and emergent gameplay make DayZ one of the best zombie games of all time, delivering an unparalleled survival experience where danger lurks around every corner.
9. Plants vs. Zombies
| Initial Release Date | May 5, 2009 |
| Developer | PopCap Games |
| Platform(s) | – PC – Mac – Xbox 360 – PlayStation 4 – PlayStation 3 – Nintendo DS – PlayStation Vita – iOS – Android |
Plants vs. Zombies (2009) is a quirky and addictive tower defense game where players strategically place various types of plants to fend off waves of zombies. Each plant has unique abilities, such as shooting projectiles or creating barriers, while zombies come in different forms with varying strengths.
The game’s lighthearted art style, day and night cycle, unique mechanics, and strategic depth make it accessible yet challenging as players progress through increasingly difficult levels. Its blend of humor, strategy, and casual gameplay has earned Plants vs. Zombies a spot as one of the best zombie games of all time, appealing to players of all ages.
8. Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare
| Initial Release Date | October 26, 2010 |
| Developer | Rockstar San Diego |
| Platform(s) | – PC – PlayStation 4 – Xbox One – Nintendo Switch – PlayStation 3 – Xbox 360 |
Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare (2010) is a standalone expansion to the acclaimed Red Dead Redemption, mixing the Wild West with a zombie apocalypse. Players control John Marston as he navigates a world overrun by the undead, using a variety of weapons, from guns to explosives, to survive.
The expansion introduces new missions, a unique story, and a variety of creepy creatures while maintaining the open-world gameplay and exploration of the original game. Its blend of western and zombie genres, along with the added challenge of battling hordes of the undead in a richly detailed world, makes Undead Nightmare one of the best zombie games of all time.
7. The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series
| Initial Release Date | April 24, 2012 |
| Developer | Telltale Games |
| Platform(s) | – PC – Mac – PlayStation 4 – Xbox One – Nintendo Switch – PlayStation 3 – Xbox 360 – PlayStation Vita – iOS – Android |
Telltale’s The Walking Dead (2012) is an emotionally driven, choice-based adventure series that focuses on storytelling and character development in a zombie-infested world. In Season 1, players control Lee Everett, a survivor who forms a deep bond with a young girl named Clementine, making tough moral choices that shape the narrative.
The game features point-and-click exploration, quick-time events, and dialogue-driven decisions that have lasting consequences. With its gripping story, emotionally charged moments, and strong character development, The Walking Dead is one of the best zombie games of all time, proving that emotional depth can be just as impactful as action in the genre.
6. Dead Space
| Initial Release Date | October 13, 2008 |
| Developer | EA Redwood Shores |
| Platform(s) | – PC – Xbox 360 – PlayStation 3 |
Dead Space (2008) is a survival horror masterpiece that redefines terror with its sci-fi setting and grotesque undead-like creatures called Necromorphs. Players take on the role of Isaac Clarke, an engineer trapped aboard the doomed USG Ishimura, where dismembering enemies is key to survival.
The game features a haunting atmosphere, zero-gravity combat, and a unique diegetic HUD that immerses players in its world. Its spine-chilling sound design, strategic limb-based combat, and relentless sense of dread make it a standout zombie title.
5. Call of Duty: Black Ops III
| Initial Release Date | November 6, 2015 |
| Developer | Treyarch |
| Platform(s) | – PC – Mac – Xbox One – PlayStation 4 – Xbox 360 – PlayStation 3 |
Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (2015) brings back the fan-favorite Zombies mode in an exhilarating, cooperative survival experience that builds on the franchise’s legendary undead gameplay.
Featuring intricate maps like Shadows of Evil and Der Eisendrache, the mode offers deep, story-driven Easter eggs, customizable weapons, and diverse enemy types. Players battle relentless waves of zombies while using the GobbleGum system and innovative progression mechanics to enhance their survival chances in a way that has stood the test of time, even beyond later COD games that include a Zombies mode.
With its fast-paced action, rich lore, and highly replayable gameplay, Black Ops 3 Zombies stands as one of the best zombie experiences of all time, perfecting the blend of strategy, teamwork, and chaos.
4. The Last of Us Part II
| Initial Release Date | June 19, 2020 |
| Developer | Naughty Dog |
| Platform(s) | – PC – PlayStation 5 – PlayStation 4 |
The Last of Us Part II (2020) is a gripping, story-driven action-adventure game that expands on its predecessor’s emotional depth and intense survival gameplay. Set in a brutal, post-apocalyptic world overrun by infected creatures, players control Ellie as she embarks on a journey of revenge and survival.
The game features realistic combat, stealth mechanics, and a richly detailed world, emphasizing resource management and strategic encounters. With its breathtaking visuals, emotionally charged narrative, and immersive gameplay, The Last of Us Part II is widely regarded as one of the best zombie games of all time, pushing the boundaries of storytelling in the genre.
3. Left 4 Dead 2
| Initial Release Date | November 17, 2009 |
| Developer | Valve |
| Platform(s) | – PC – Mac – Linux – Xbox 360 |
Left 4 Dead 2 (2009) is a fast-paced cooperative first-person shooter that delivers intense, action-packed zombie survival gameplay. Players team up as survivors to fight through hordes of infected across various campaigns, using an arsenal of weapons and melee tools.
The game’s AI Director dynamically adjusts enemy spawns, difficulty, and item placement, ensuring no two playthroughs feel the same. With its seamless co-op experience, frantic gameplay, and iconic special infected enemies, Left 4 Dead 2 remains one of the best zombie games of all time.
2. Dying Light 2 Stay Human
| Initial Release Date | February 4, 2022 |
| Developer | Techland |
| Platform(s) | – PC – Xbox Series X|S – PlayStation 5 – Xbox One – PlayStation 4 – Nintendo Switch |
Dying Light 2 Stay Human (2022) is an open-world zombie survival game that combines parkour, melee combat, and RPG elements to create a dynamic and immersive experience. Set in a post-apocalyptic city, players take on the role of Aiden Caldwell, a skilled survivor navigating a world overrun by the infected.
The game features fluid movement mechanics, a deep choice-driven story, and intense day-night cycles where zombies become even deadlier after dark. With its vast environments, engaging combat, and meaningful player decisions, Dying Light 2 stands out as one of the best zombie games of all time, offering both thrilling action and rich storytelling.
1. Resident Evil 2 Remake
| Initial Release Date | January 25, 2019 |
| Developer | Capcom |
| Platform(s) | – PC – Mac – Xbox Series X|S – PlayStation 5 – Nintendo Switch – PlayStation 4 – Xbox One – iOS – Android |
Resident Evil 2 Remake (2019) is a masterful reimagining of the 1998 classic, blending tense survival horror with stunning modern visuals and gameplay. Players step into the shoes of Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield as they navigate the zombie-infested Raccoon City, solving puzzles and fighting for survival.
The game’s atmospheric design, intense resource management, and relentless enemies create a gripping experience that keeps players on edge. With its perfect balance of horror, action, and storytelling, Resident Evil 2 Remake is often hailed as the best zombie game of all time, setting the benchmark for the genre.