Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour revisits a classic

The early-to-mid 1990s were formative years for the first-person shooter genre, and one of the most influential games of that era was 1996’s Duke Nukem 3D. With its scantily-clad women, tough-talking macho hero and ridiculous violence, it courted controversy but delivered undeniable action to millions of fans, earning itself a place among the classics of the genre. Now Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour brings a classic back with plenty of nostalgic action and a few new features.

The king is back

Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour contains the original game plus a new fifth episode in the classic style. This isn’t an update of the original, at least not outwardly: the graphics remain solidly 1996 vintage although changes have been made to the old “2.5D” engine. New content includes new dialogue by the original actor, Jon St. John, new music from original composer Lee Jackson and new levels from original designer Allen Blum III and popular level designer Richard “Levelord” Gray.

Nostalgia is a heck of a drug

If you’re curious about the early days of first-person shooter games or just want to revisit a classic, Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour is high-octane, low-seriousness fun. You may also be surprised at the original’s surprisingly complex, non-linear level design.