GDC09: Actual Duke Nukem games on PSP/DS
by JC Fletcher 
{ Mar 25th 2009 at 10:40AM } 
As OhGizmo! explains, Duke Nukem Trilogy features three games, which have the same stories, but are presented in a different style on DS than on PSP. The PSP versions are M-rated, with content that will be "tasteful, but it'll still be Duke." The DS versions will be T-rated, and thus toned down a bit in terms of dialogue and gratuitous strippers.
The best part? The first game, Duke Nukem: Critical Mass, was actually there! There was a demonstration on both PSP and DS. Try that, Duke Nukem Forever. Try being playable on a game system.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bagels: Commander in Chief of the lolcat sarcasm alert force. Flying Monkeys beware. @ Mar 25th 2009 10:44AM
Does my imagination count as a game system? It's playable on that. My momma always said my imagination was betteh than them vidier games...
Sexualchocolate @ Mar 25th 2009 10:48AM
Why hello mr Nukem, long time no see.
i will be getting this for my PSP.
Dirty @ Mar 25th 2009 10:54AM
Toned down? Lame! I don't want a watered down version of badass. Give me that real shit!
John Z @ Mar 25th 2009 10:55AM
The ads for this had better just be:
COME GET SOME!
Cosmo @ Mar 25th 2009 10:58AM
Wait, are these all new Duke Nukem games or remakes of 1, 2 and 3D on the PC??
Pvt. Joker @ Mar 25th 2009 11:04AM
is every one in gaming just messing with me? is this some big conspircacy to just mind**** me? Duke nukem? havn't those game always sucked? am i missing something? i admit i never really gave either of the two incarnations i played much of a chance and its been about 12 years...but i didnt see how they warrented much of a chance...where does all this love for a mediocer side scrolling and a (from what i could tell) awful FPS comefrom...judge me based on my taste if you want...but i dont see where allthe excitement comes from atall...every time i see a hook baited with Duke...id love to know what im missing here...
Erluti @ Mar 25th 2009 11:13AM
3D was the one I think that was especially endearing to people.
And I really think it is just a cult-classic sort of deal, because there were definitely better FPSs at the time. I guess Duke Nukem was the only one with digital breasts in it, which made some people like it more?
But because of the whole Duke Nukem Forever fiasco, I think that if you are old enough to remember playing 3D you're supposed to tell all the little pokemon-raised kids how awesome the classic was...
MF Doom @ Mar 25th 2009 11:30AM
BLOW IT OUT YOUR ASS
Pvt. Joker @ Mar 25th 2009 11:34AM
Hahaha! alright I'll do that.
Chief Oddball @ Mar 25th 2009 11:47AM
I think the appeal of Duke Nukem was in the overbearing loudmouthed character that 3D Realms created for Duke Nukem 3D. The first two games were sidescrollers, but more importantly, they didn't have the same wit. I never found them all that noteworthy.
As one of those wizened old prunes who was there when Duke3D launched, it was a huge event. Everybody I knew who was into computer games was geeked over it. The magazines were full of stories on it. Maybe you just had to be there; I don't know.
Duke3D's main competition at the time was Quake. That was about all anyone talked about -- which was the better game? In the end, the fanboy-war was divided into two camps: Those who preferred the interactivity and over-the-top characterization of Duke, and those who preferred the next-gen tech and multiplayer experience of Quake. It came down to what was more important to you in a game.
While Quake went on to attain legendary status, I do agree that Duke3D evolved mostly into sort of a "cult favorite," like the Evil Dead films that its protagonist apes lines from.
In my case, all I know is this: When I load up Duke Nukem 3D today, it's still gobs of fun to play. Especially if I add in the high resolution texture packs and one of the modern ports of the engine.
I seriously doubt that the digital hooters really swayed anybody's opinion, except maybe the alarmingly obese and horny kid in my high school class that everyone tried to stay away from. But I mean hey, if ten or twelve flesh-colored pixels arranged in an aliased, vaguely-circular configuration turn you on...
Levi @ Mar 25th 2009 12:17PM
The original sidescrolling DOS Duke games were fun platformers. Duke 3D, while best known for it's attitude and humor, had some EXCELLENT level design, and the weapons and enemies just helped fuel said design. Duke Nukem 3D was on par with any FPS at the time, including Doom 2. It was actually dome of the later levels that shined the most.
Some of the later games, though, like the third person and 2.5D games, were not well received.
Pvt. Joker @ Mar 25th 2009 1:48PM
the FPS never did it for me but i was curious...thanks fellas....thellas.
JonFitt @ Mar 25th 2009 1:04PM
At the time Duke 3D was really good. I think you had to be there. Quake launched a little while later, but while it had true 3D, Duke shone in the humour and inventiveness department.
As far as I can tell, some of its weapons were brand new ideas, the shrink ray, and freeze ray (with Demolition Man smash) were good, but the remote pipe bombs were a game changer.
Also, I remember being impressed the first time I saw an in game mirror that worked. It felt like real locations as opposed to Quake which was never realistic.
NineT9 @ Mar 25th 2009 7:44PM
I was there too during the Duke3D/Quake phase... Epic time in gaming, peopel were just going nuts over it, thats back when Magazines were more popular then online, and back when Online gaming was really starting to grow
GameSpy, Mplayer, T.E.N., Kali, etc
Duke3D, Quake, Unreal pretty much started online gaming for 3D Shooters, and made what 3D Shooters are what they are today... (keyword: pretty much)
Im still waiting for Duke Nukem 4ever, I have faith itll kick *** and chew bubble gum
Nick Winters @ Mar 25th 2009 11:05AM
what? no iphone version?
Obie @ Mar 25th 2009 11:06AM
GROOVY!
Pvt. Joker @ Mar 25th 2009 11:18AM
"Obie" as in "real name no Gimmick"?
Timerider @ Mar 25th 2009 11:16AM
O.o Did NOT see that coming.
Angel Mass @ Mar 25th 2009 11:17AM
Over the shoulder camera like the game Resistance Retribution?
Sexualchocolate @ Mar 25th 2009 11:22AM
"Suck my boom stick"
Nuff said.
KingToxic @ Mar 25th 2009 12:28PM
Why tone it down? o_o', I Don't want to play Nukem without it's cheesy vulgar sleaze.. it would be like playing Mortal Kombat without fatalaties, playing sonic without being able to go fast/roll and playing in lara croft's house without being able to trap the butler in the fridge.
It sounds like it's even more toned down on DS >_>, The World must be bad when even Duke Nukem is abiding to "soccer moms" and "P.C Police".
David Black @ Mar 25th 2009 11:33AM
There are few hands-on's floating around the net, and there was one in the newest Game Informer. Hopefully our friendly neighborhood Joystiqers will post one as well.
Probably a day one purchase on PSP for me, if for no other reason than nostalgia.
Tim @ Mar 25th 2009 11:44AM
Toned down = pussied down.
C'mon, I want an M-rated DS game, so that the "kiddy" image is disproved!
dronesensor @ Mar 26th 2009 4:14AM
Have you been living under a rock? GTA DS says hello.
Maximo @ Mar 25th 2009 11:51AM
I don't mind the DS getting a side scrolling shooter thats fine. Although I don't understand why. Nintendo 64 had Duke Nukem Zero Hour which was a 3D 3rd person shooter. Its been proven that the DS could handle 64 level graphics. Secondly the DS's stylus aiming is better suited for the 3rd person view than PSP's face buttons.
I have both a DS ,and PSP. And, I enjoy 3D shooters more DS just because you can actually aim quicker ,and smoother. PSP should be getting the 2.5D version.
Lastly, The game does look good so far on PSP so why not a Wii version of maybe all 3 entries on one disc. A) the Wii needs more 3rd person shooters ,and B) the wiimote would be perfectly suited for aiming.
Nadril @ Mar 25th 2009 12:41PM
Aw man, toned down. What a bitch.
Also Duke 3D was a classic, as was the two side scrolling DOS games. This actually reminds me that I need to see if there is an update to Duke3DS (homebrew).
aristokrat @ Mar 25th 2009 12:51PM
In all fairness, if these guys failed to port a pre-existing game (regardless of the franchise's vaporware legacy), they would have never been able to show their faces again.
Benjamin Heckendorn @ Mar 25th 2009 1:05PM
I have this gut feeling that Duke Nukem Forever will actually come out this year.
I mean, Prey got released. Chinese Democracy was finished.Too Human came out. Anything can happen!
And you know what? I'll buy it - why not? As someone stated above, Duke 3D was really ahead of its time with great level design and depth.
Mister Bogus (Mr. ESC) @ Mar 25th 2009 1:11PM
You know those aren't good examples.
aj @ Mar 25th 2009 6:35PM
Maybe he was being ironic?
I think most of the people who bought "Chinese Democracy" were being ironic. It's the only way to explain a Guns 'n Roses album in 2009.
Benjamin Heckendorn @ Mar 25th 2009 6:58PM
The point is... they got released. For better or worse.
tmontana213 @ Mar 25th 2009 5:19PM
"Duke Nukem DS, coming in 2052."
Darth Pedo @ Mar 25th 2009 5:20PM
nao nao nao
The Alex @ Mar 25th 2009 10:31PM
Gotta give two thumbs down to the decision to only offer the T rated version on the DS. I was looking forward to this, but now I might have to pass. And there's no way I'm buying a PSP for just the M rated version.
Bad choice, Apogee.