This page is for the original release. For the Megaton Edition, see Duke Nukem 3D: Megaton Edition. For World Tour, see Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour.
Duke Nukem 3D
 |
|
3D Realms |
| Life's A Beach & Duke It Out In D.C. |
Sunstorm Interactive |
| Nuclear Winter |
Simply Silly Software |
| Mac OS (Classic) |
Lion Entertainment Inc. |
| Retail |
GT Interactive |
| Digital (former) |
3D Realms |
| Digital (current) |
Gearbox Publishing |
| Mac OS |
MacSoft |
|
Build |
| DOS |
January 29, 1996[1] |
| Mac OS (Classic) |
June 6, 1997 |
| Windows (DOSBox) |
February 26, 2009[2] |
| macOS (OS X) (DOSBox) |
December 12, 2012[3] |
| Linux (DOSBox) |
September 4, 2013[4] |
| Metacritic |
89 |
| Monetization |
One-time game purchase, Expansion pack |
| Modes |
Singleplayer, Multiplayer |
| Pacing |
Real-time |
| Perspectives |
First-person |
| Controls |
Direct control |
| Genres |
Action, FPS, Shooter |
| Themes |
Adult, North America, Sci-fi |
| Series |
Duke Nukem |
|
Warnings
- The macOS (OS X) version of this game needs a fix to work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later (see API for details).
General information
- Duke Nukem 3D source code was released in 2003.
- GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
- GOG.com Support Page
- Steam Community Discussions
- Duke Nukem Fan Community
Availability
- A shareware episode is available.
Version differences
- The Atomic Edition includes the Plutonium Pak expansion. All digital distribution versions include the expansion.
- The Duke Nukem 3D: Megaton Edition (no longer available) included both the DOS Atomic Edition as well as an updated version that includes Duke Caribbean: Life's A Beach, Duke It Out In D.C., and Duke: Nuclear Winter.
- The version sold digitally by 3D Realms (as part of the Anthology Pack) included the Atomic Edition as well as Duke Caribbean: Life's A Beach, Duke It Out In D.C., Duke: Nuclear Winter, and Duke!ZONE II. This version is no longer sold.
Monetization
DLC and expansion packs
| Name |
Notes |
|
| Plutonium Pak |
Included with Atomic Edition and all digital distribution versions. |
|
| Duke Caribbean: Life's A Beach |
Included with the Megaton Edition. |
|
| Duke It Out In D.C. |
Included with the Megaton Edition. |
|
| Duke: Nuclear Winter |
Included with the Megaton Edition. |
|
| Duke Nukem's Penthouse Paradise |
Freeware, available here repacked for use with source ports.
Warning, very NSFW. |
|
| Duke!ZONE II |
Includes all Duke!ZONE content along with 3 new episodes. |
|
- Duke!ZONE II was just a shovelware user map compilation; most maps could be downloaded free online.
- A remake of the PlayStation exclusive episode "Plug and Prey", can be found here.
- Many more obscure, unauthorized expansions are available. See here for more info.
Essential improvements
Patches
All patches for the retail version can be found here. An old semi-official patch for OS X (PowerPC only) can also be found here. Digital distribution versions are already patched.
- bMouse will cause the vertical aiming to be inverted. To fix this, set the mouse Y scale to a negative number in Control Setup and Setup Advanced Control Options.
- bMouse is a DOS extension which improves mouse looking by removing an engine limitation which would force to use one mouse axis at a time to aim.
- An unofficial patch for Duke Nukem 3D which aims for adding widescreen support.
- Supports EDuke32, Rednukem, BuildGDX and Raze.
- Under active development.
- Adds widescreen support for weapons and menu tiles in Duke Nukem 3D and all official addons (Caribbean, DukeDC, Nuclear Winter).
- Replaces default menu font from Atomic with redfont from 1.3D.
- Adds skyboxes in BuildGDX.
- No widescreen support for user maps.[5]
Play without the CD
- The Atomic Edition checks for files on the CD.[6]
|
Make necessary changes[7]
|
- Copy the CD contents to the installation folder.
- Edit
<path-to-game>\CDROM.INI
- Clear the contents of
CDROM.INI
- Save the changes and close the file.
|
Source ports
| Name |
Description |
|
| EDuke32 |
Adds many modern features to Build engine such as high and widescreen resolution, dynamic lighting and shadows and expands the modding capabilities.
It doesn't properly support multiplayer yet. |
|
| EDuke32-OldMP |
A multiplayer branch of an old EDuke32 build. |
|
| Rednukem |
Branch of EDuke32. Supports games based on Duke Nukem 3D codebase such as Redneck Rampage and Duke Nukem 64. |
|
| xDuke |
Straight port from the original DOS release that only adds a console and the ability to load music packs. |
|
| hDuke |
Based off xDuke. Focused on multiplayer, it features extra parameters such as frag limit and an anti-cheat system. |
|
| nDuke |
Base off xDuke. Similar to hDuke, it also features a team deathmatch mode. |
|
| Icculus Duke3D |
Straight port from the original DOS release for all platforms. |
|
| BuildGDX |
Source port based on Java's libGDX framework. Adds high resolutions support, OpenGL renderer, and improved mouse controls.
Can run official addon and custom made campaigns straight from the main menu without the need to use installers or replace any original files. Supports multiplayer. Discontinued. |
|
| NuBuildGDX |
Fork of BuildGDX aiming for stability, bug fixing and performance improvements. |
|
| Raze |
Fork of various Build Engine ports to GZDoom architecture. Also supports Blood, Redneck Rampage, and PC Powerslave/Exhumed. |
|
- All source ports (except later builds of EDuke32) will require to manually copy
DUKE3D.GRP and DUKE.RTS into their root folders.
- EDuke32 in particular will automatically recognize an existing Duke Nukem 3D install (either from Steam as the Megaton Edition or 20th Anniversary World Tour, or from GOG.com) and will pull from there.
- Soundtrack for Duke Nukem 3D recorded on an authentic SC-55 for use with EDuke32 or the Megaton Edition. Choose either OGG or FLAC; MP3 does not support proper looping.
Multiplayer frontends
- Below frontends support both the DOS release and all source ports.
- NukemNet - An IRC based multiplayer launcher, supports build engine games, both source ports and DOSBox.
- YANG - Also supports other Build game such as Blood and Shadow Warrior, as well as any DOS games run through DOSBox.
- Duke Matcher
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
- It's unknown whether this game follows the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux. Please fill in this information.
Save game data location
Video
In-game options menu (DOS).
In-game options menu (Classic Mac OS).
|
Set EDuke32 FOV[8][9]
|
|
Open the console (~) and enter r_pr_fov # with the angle to use.
Notes
- FOV can only be modified in Polymer render mode.
- FOV is calculated in Build angles, not degrees;
512 is about 90°, 625 is about 110°, etc. The default is 426.
|
Input
Control options (Classic Mac OS).
Keyboard options (Classic Mac OS).
Mouse options (Classic Mac OS).
Audio
In-game audio settings (DOS).
In-game audio settings (Classic Mac OS).
Localizations
| Language |
UI |
Audio |
Sub |
Notes |
| English |
|
|
|
|
| Polish |
|
|
|
Available only in local retail stores. Details |
Network
Multiplayer types
Connection types
|
Splitscreen mod[11]
|
- Download this script file.
- Download the EDuke32 build in this post and follow the instructions.
- Execute EDuke32 and set Input Devices to Keyboard Only, then exit. This will avoid mouse look to impede player 2 forward movement while keeping player 1 mouse look functional.
- Execute EDuke32 with the splitscreen parameters and remap player 2 keys in Control Settings.
|
VR support
| 3D modes |
State |
Notes |
| Native 3D |
| Red/blue anaglyph support was never finished. Broken in v1.5.[12] |
Other information
API
| Technical specs |
Supported |
Notes |
| DOS video modes |
VGA |
|
Modifications
- Duke Nukem 3D mods lists some of the most popular mods.
- Most of the mods require Eduke32.
- A Graphical enhancement mod that adds high resolution textures and replace the 2D sprites with 3D models
- Not to be used with the Duke3D Voxel Pack.
- Alien Armageddon is a fan made expansion pack made by some of the best Duke Nukem 3D modders.
- Active Development
- 2nd Playable character
- New episodes and game modes
- Expanded Gameplay such as new enemies, NPCs and weapons.
- Bugfixes and QOL improvements
- Not compatible with the Raze source port.[14]
- DukePlus is a game-enhancer and customizer for the EDuke32 port of Duke Nukem 3D
- Provides various enhancements to the game that are optional.
- Based on the basic ideas and areas from Duke Nukem Forever (and its 2001 preview).
- An open-source graphic pack that keeps the classic Duke Nukem 3D look while adding some 3D effects using voxels.
- Not to be used with the High Resolution Pack.
- An mod that brings back the exclusive secret level from the Saturn version
- A Total Conversion that adds multiple characters with each own gameplay style.
- High Resolution Pack can be found here.
- A Total Conversion of the N64 version that includes new guns such as: Grenade Launcher and Dual SMG's
- A Total Conversion of the PS1 version that includes the exclusive episode: Plug "N" Pray and new cinematics
System requirements
| DOS | Windows | Mac OS (Classic) | macOS (OS X) | Linux |
| DOS |
|
Minimum |
Recommended |
| Operating system (OS) |
5.0 | |
| Processor (CPU) |
Intel 486DX2 66 MHz
| Intel Pentium 75 MHz |
| System memory (RAM) |
8 MB |
16 MB |
| Hard disk drive (HDD) |
48 MB |
100 MB |
| Video card (GPU) |
VGA
| PCI local bus |
| Windows |
|
Minimum |
Recommended |
| Operating system (OS) |
XP, Vista | |
| Processor (CPU) |
1.8 GHz | |
| System memory (RAM) |
512 MB |
1 GB |
| Hard disk drive (HDD) |
2 GB | |
| Video card (GPU) |
DirectX 7 compatible
| DirectX 9 compatible |
| Mac OS |
|
Minimum |
Recommended |
| Operating system (OS) |
| |
| Processor (CPU) |
Motorola 68040
| PowerPC |
| System memory (RAM) |
8 MB |
16 MB |
| Hard disk drive (HDD) |
| |
| Video card (GPU) |
256-color display | |
| macOS (OS X) |
|
Minimum |
| Operating system (OS) |
10.6.8 |
| Processor (CPU) |
Intel Core Duo 2 GHz |
| System memory (RAM) |
1 GB |
| Hard disk drive (HDD) |
400 MB |
| Video card (GPU) |
64 MB of VRAM |
- Supported Sound Devices: Gravis UltraSound, Sound Blaster/Pro/16/AWE32, SoundMan16, Pro Audio Spectrum, SoundScape, WaveBlaster, Sound Canvas, Adlib, Disney Sound Source and General MIDI.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 File/folder structure within the installation folder reflects the path(s) listed for DOS game data. For the GOG.com release, file changes in DOSBox are redirected to
<path-to-game>/cloud_saves/ even if GOG Galaxy is not used (this folder contains all redirected files, so some files in the cloud_saves folder might be temporary files or other files that do not contain saves or settings).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in
~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/359850/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (359850) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.
References
