Ahh, Duke Nukem. The stuff of gaming legend!
Along with Doom and Wolfenstein 3D, Duke Nukem 3D was part of the big trio of revolutionary first-person shooters that were released back in the ’90s. Implementing full 3D technology for the first time, these three games became the pillars of modern shooter games, and Duke Nukem 3D put 3D Realms on the map of one of the most legendary video game developers ever.
But unlike the grim, serious tone of Wolfenstein and Doom, Duke Nukem 3D went with a mix of bravado and humor that can only be paralleled by movies such as Die Hard.
What Makes Duke Nukem So Popular?
Well… You really have to play it to “get it.” The story in Duke Nukem 3D is set on Earth “sometime in the early 21st century”, but the game quickly escalates its action and you will soon find yourself blasting different types of mutated beasts and aliens on the Moon, in space stations, flooded cities, top-secret military bases, as well as deserts and a… Japanese restaurant.
But despite being a technological leap forward for its time, it also gained a cult status thanks to its clever humor. Duke Nukem 3D is chock full of scenes where Duke, our hyper macho main character often makes funny references to lines found in tons of pieces from popular culture. From Aliens, to Jaws, Pulp Fiction, Dirty Harry and even Full Metal Jacket and They Live, Duke puts his twist in an unforgettable remark that stays with players for decades.
Let’s just mention a fun fact: playing as Duke in Duke Nukem 3D, you will come across the bodies of legends such as Indiana Jones, Luke Skywalker, Doom Guy, Snake Plissken, and even a blasted T-800 Terminator model.
See, they all died. They didn’t make it. But you, Duke Nukem, here you are, totally making it, blasting aliens left and right and popping jokes about it!
Oh and that big, black, stone slab on the Moon? I wonder what that is all about. Better just shoot it!
The Best 12 Websites Dedicated to Duke Nukem
But with all of that introductory praise for Duke Nukem aside, it’s now time to actually do what we’re here for: giving you the best websites dedicated to Duke Nukem. The legend lives on, and ordinary humans, in awe of Duke, have built him many, many digital monuments to keep his memory forever, and you know, entice him to come alive again… (We don’t talk of that thing called Duke Nukem Forever. 2011 never happened. It all happened in a parallel dimension and that was a fake Duke. Anyway!)
Anyway! Here are the Top 12 Duke Nukem websites for you to browse and enjoy. And bookmark. And obsess over.
1. Duke Nukem Reloaded
A homage to the epic Duke Nukem games, this website now offers games reminiscent of the cult classic. Dig in!
2. Duke 4 Org
A website dedicated to archiving the many additions and development history of all the Duke Nukem games. A good place for mods for Duke Nukem as well.
3. Duke Nukem Forever
The official website of the last entry in the Duke Nukem franchise, Duke Nukem Forever. Like it or not, it’s here to stay – or be superseded by a better successor!
4. Dukeworld RTCM (Resources for Total Conversions and Modifications)
An archive for some of the most popular mods for Duke Nukem 3D by a fellow fan going by the nickname of “Corvin.”
5. Duke Roch
A website dedicated to hosting the creations of the ultimate mastermind of level-design for “Duke Nukem 3D” and his work: Pascal Rouaud. So, need more maps for Duke and even spicier gaming sessions? Here’s where you’ll find them!
6. Duke Nukem Official
The official website for all the Duke Nukem games, sequels, DLCs, and so on.
7. Duke 3D Net
A fan-made website honoring Duke Nukem and their collections of all the games. You can’t get more retro and fan-service than this.
8. Duke World
This was once the biggest Duke Nukem 3D site on the whole wide internet. But now Dukeworld is back like a blast from the past to fulfill all your classic game file needs. Home to EDuke32, the most epic Duke Nukem 3D port available in existence.
9. Duke Nukem Type Pad (Game Matters)
A personal blog of one of the biggest fans of Duke ever, the famous Scott Miller! Find tons of interesting musings, analysis pieces, and reflections on Duke and other games on this website. You won’t regret it.
10. Duke Is Back (Duke Games)
Once a popular internet hub for all news Duke Nukem related, this website has since moved on and reports on many other games. Honestly… Can you blame them?
11. Duke Is Forever
A legendary forums site dedicated to Duke Nukem. We heard it’s archived… Or maybe it got Nukem’d. We may never know.
12. Planet Duke DE
Planet Duke was perhaps the No. 1 Duke Nukem website in existence. However as Earth would have it, the website changed hands several times, got a German domain (?) and is now… Under construction. It says “Stay tuned!” so we are staying tuned for more Duke Nukem stuff indeed!
Summary
Well, that’s all, folks. Sadly Duke Nukem as a franchise is in a rather bad spot… Now. Lately. For the last decade. We hope we will see a new (and good!) Duke Nukem game in the years to come. But until then, all we can do is reminisce. And wait. And chew bubblegum. And we’re running out of bubblegum…