Duke Nukem 3D
Hacker ApprovedRanked 7 of 24 first-person shooters by recommenders
People recommend it for memorable multiplayer deathmatch, modding support and level editor, and groundbreaking design for its time. One critic found it a level below id Software's games.
People recommend it for memorable multiplayer deathmatch, modding support and level editor, and groundbreaking design for its time. One critic found it a level below id Software's games.
25 people gave an opinion
- recommend it
- 24
- criticize it
- 1
- approval share
- 96%
Recommended in 7 of 13 months
- November 2025: not recommended
- December 2025: recommended
- January 2026: recommended
- February 2026: recommended
- March 2026: not recommended
- April 2026: recommended
- May 2026: not recommended
- June 2026: recommended
- July 2026: recommended
- August 2026: not recommended
- September 2026: not recommended
- October 2026: recommended
- November 2026: not recommended (month in progress)
Why it carries the badge
- 24 people recommend itNeeds 10 or more, met.
- 24 recommenders for every criticNeeds 2 to 1 or better, met.
- Recommended in 7 of 13 monthsNeeds 4 or more, met.
The same three rules apply to every product, and the badge can’t be bought. How the badge works
What people say about it
The reasons people give, with the number of comments that give each one. Open a reason to read what they said.
Why people recommend it
Each mark is one comment
Strong, lasting personal memories
“I've had a lot of fun playing it at different points in my life”
Comment from 21 Feb 2026 in “EDuke32 – Duke Nukem 3D (Open-Source)” “Great memories when I was finally beat the first ep boss.”
Comment from 22 Feb 2026 in “EDuke32 – Duke Nukem 3D (Open-Source)” “This game truly holds a special place in my heart.”
Comment from 21 Feb 2026 in “EDuke32 – Duke Nukem 3D (Open-Source)” - Comment from 21 Feb 2026 in “EDuke32 – Duke Nukem 3D (Open-Source)”
- Comment from 21 Feb 2026 in “EDuke32 – Duke Nukem 3D (Open-Source)”
- Comment from 20 Jun 2026 in “Bobby Prince, composer for Doom, Wolfenstein 3D, and Duke Nukem 3D, has died”
Fun multiplayer, especially deathmatch
“Duke3D deathmatch over IPX was epic, especially to hide in secret places when others didn't know them.”
Comment from 21 Feb 2026 in “EDuke32 – Duke Nukem 3D (Open-Source)” “it was my first multiplayer online game and I was hooked”
Comment from 22 Feb 2026 in “EDuke32 – Duke Nukem 3D (Open-Source)” “Duke Nukem 3D is still unbeaten for fun in multiplayer”
Comment from 14 Dec 2025 in “The Rise of Computer Games, Part I: Adventure” - Comment from 22 Feb 2026 in “EDuke32 – Duke Nukem 3D (Open-Source)”
Modding and level editor
“Duke Nukem 3D was probably one of the earlier FPS games that really encouraged modding”
Comment from 21 Feb 2026 in “EDuke32 – Duke Nukem 3D (Open-Source)” “I was hooked on the level editor (and pixelated nudity.)”
Comment from 21 Feb 2026 in “EDuke32 – Duke Nukem 3D (Open-Source)” “I still play its mods from time to time.”
Comment from 22 Feb 2026 in “EDuke32 – Duke Nukem 3D (Open-Source)” Groundbreaking level design and sound
“Level design, graphics, sounds and the atmosphere was groundbreaking those days.”
Comment from 21 Feb 2026 in “EDuke32 – Duke Nukem 3D (Open-Source)” “ran fast/sounded just fine even on a slow Pentium with a basic sound blaster”
Comment from 17 Oct 2026 in “I love software rendering”
Other first-person shooters people recommend
The four most recommended other first-person shooters, with the same counts for each, so you can compare like for like. The tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs.
| Product | Recommend | Criticize | Approval | Months | Owned | Badge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quake | 118 | 29 | 80% | 12 | 28 yrs8 owners | Approved |
| Doom by id Software | 102 | 24 | 81% | 12 | — | Approved |
| Unreal Tournament 2004 | 51 | 12 | 81% | 6 | — | Approved |
| Quake III Arena | 49 | 3 | 94% | 10 | — | Approved |
| Duke Nukem 3DThis page | 24 | 1 | 96% | 7 | — | Approved |
What people said
25 of the 28 comments that mention it, newest first. Each links to the original comment.
“ran fast/sounded just fine even on a slow Pentium with a basic sound blaster”
“while it was entertaining, it was clearly a level below what ID could do”
“those were my favorite games”
“Later duke3d was the shit.”
“Great memories when I was finally beat the first ep boss.”
“amazingly fun multiplayer experience”
“it was my first multiplayer online game and I was hooked”
“Agreed about Duke3D movement being superior to Quake's.”
“I still play its mods from time to time.”
“I honestly think DUKE3D is better than either of them.”
“Of all of them, Duke Nukem felt the most interactive.”
“I was hooked on the level editor (and pixelated nudity.)”
“I've had a lot of fun playing it at different points in my life”
“Duke3D deathmatch over IPX was epic, especially to hide in secret places when others didn't know them.”
“artifacts and unresponsive 2nd monitor, had to hard reboot.”
“it is also the place where I spent the most hours”
“forever emblazoned in my memory”
“This game truly holds a special place in my heart.”
“It was a wonderful collection of rage inducing weapons”
“Miserably only software rendering right now.”
“Duke Nukem 3D was probably one of the earlier FPS games that really encouraged modding”
“Duke nukem 3D is kinda the most adult shooter ever”
“Level design, graphics, sounds and the atmosphere was groundbreaking those days.”
“Blood and Duke Nukem 3d are both very good games”
“Duke Nukem 3D is still unbeaten for fun in multiplayer”
Counts come from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026. How we count. Report a mistake.