Duke Nukem II

Overview

Duke Nukem II is a sci-fi side-scrolling action-platformer developed and published by Apogee for DOS PCs on December 3, 1993. It was originally a four-episode shareware game, with the first episode released freely.

A sequel to the 1991 game Duke Nukem, Duke Nukem II revamps the original with higher graphical fidelity (adding parallax scrolling, more detailed backgrounds, and larger character sprites), new gameplay features (including temporary weapon power-ups, ledge grappling, being able to shoot up-and-down, and vehicular driving sections), and synthesized audio, with music composed by Robert Prince (then known for his work with Doom).

The game's story is set one year after the titular hero Duke Nukem foiled the plans of Dr. Proton. After being abducted by aliens during a TV interview, Duke learns from the Rigelatin commander that they plan to use his brain for their war computer in their plan to conquer Earth. Breaking free from his holding cell using an explosive hidden in his molars, he sets off to launch his own one-man counter-offensive against the Rigelatins. It is the last game in the Duke Nukem series prior to the series's more risqué rebranding.

The game was later included in early retail copies of Duke Nukem 3D, as well as the 1997 compilation Duke Nukem Kill-a-Ton Collection. It was later digitally released by Interceptor for iOS devices on April 2, 2013, and for modern PC and Mac computers (later Linux) on July 2, 2013. Despite using DOSBox emulation, these modern ports alter Duke's appearance to give him his signature sunglasses. These versions were later removed after Gearbox's acquisition of the series.

A reworked version of the game was released for the Game Boy Color in 1999 as Duke Nukem.

Gameplay

Weapons

• Normal (N) - Despite being weak on its own, it has unlimited ammunition, making it a less wasteful choice for the Rapid-Fire power-up.

• Flamethrower (F) - Wider shots that can be used as a primitive "jetpack" when shot downwards. Lasts 64 shots.

• Laser (L) - Longer shots that can overpenetrate enemies, walls and other obstacles. Lasts 32 shots.

• Rocket Launcher (R) - Explosive shots that can destroy most enemies in one blast, even those that are resilient to normal fire. Lasts 32 shots.

Secret Bonuses

In each level the player can receive 7 different secret bonuses. Each bonus will add 100,000 to the score at the end of the level.

• Destroy all the spy cameras in the level.
• Get through the level without taking a health hit.
• Finding every weapon on a level.
• Getting all the merchandise in a level.
• Destroy all the spinning guns in a level.
• Destroy all the napalm bombs in a level.
• Shooting all the crystal balls, and not touching them in a level.

PC System Requirements

• CPU: IBM or 100% compatible 286.
• Memory: 560k of free conventional memory.
• HDD: 5.9 Mb free harddrive space.
• Audio: AdLib, Sound Blaster, and Sound Blaster Pro sound cards.