History YMMV / DukeNukem3d

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: The main theme, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CezOHqlXAFY "Grabbag"]], to the point that even Music/{{Megadeth}} {{cover|Version}}ed [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW_9SGrc4Oo it]].

** Less so the MegaDrive port. It does have a pretty decent framerate, considering how big the "first-person view" screen is, compared to other [=FPS=] games on that console, not to mention the save system which allows you to backup everywhere. Nothing else makes up for it properly, though: the whole port consists of 9 new levels, very loosely based off the Lunar Apocalypse episode, all done in a [[VideoGame/Wolfenstein3D Wolf3D]]-like perspective, all peppered-up with barely audiable music and slightly messy controls. [[labelnote:*]]And that's not even for Duke himself: in order to pause the game, you will need to not just press the Start button, [[DamnYouMuscleMemory but also X, Y and Z,]] all at the same time![[/labelnote]] Oh, and it didn't help that shortly after the game was released in its' home country, Brazil, it the whole thing got banned.

* SugarWiki/{{Heartwarming Moment|s}}: The ending of ''Duke: Nuclear Winter'', with a happy snowman thanking the player for SavingChristmas and a poetic parody of ''Literature/TwasTheNightBeforeChristmas''.

* SequelDisplacement: Anybody remember ''VideoGame/DukeNukemI'' I or ''[[VideoGame/DukeNukemII II]]''?

* SequelDisplacement: Anybody remember ''VideoGame/DukeNukemI'' or ''[[VideoGame/DukeNukemII II]]''?

** Episode 1, level 3 features a ridiculously-tricky segment where you have to jump and duck past a bunch of infrared laser sensors. If you hit one of the lasers, bombs go off and kill you instantly. Not to mention that some pig cops are on their way to kill you as well. And if THEY hit the lasers, it also triggers the explosions.
* SuspiciouslySimilarSong: The first level of "The Birth" is called "It's Impossible", and it's theme is called "Missing Impossible", and it is (very) reminiscent of ''MissionImpossible'''s iconic theme.

* HilariousInHindsight: The "San Andreas Fault" secret in [=E1M5=], The Abyss? That's one year before the first [[VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto GTA]] hit the shelves![[labelnote:*]][[SequelDisplacement And in case if you forgot,]] this one also has the city of San Andreas.[[/labelnote]]
** You are aware that the San Andreas fault is a real geographical feature, right?

* CrowningMusicOfAwesome: The main theme, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CezOHqlXAFY "Grabbag"]], to the point that even Music/{{Megadeth}} [[CoverVersion covered]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW_9SGrc4Oo it]].

* MomentOfAwesome: At the end of episode 2, before fighting the boss, Duke states that he'll rip of his head and shit down his neck. Cut to the post-boss battle cutscene where Duke follows through on the promise.
* NightmareFuel: [[NightmareFuel/DukeNukem3D Has its own page]].

* HilariousInHindsight: The "San Andreas Fault" secret in E1M5, The Abyss? That's one year before the first [[VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto GTA]] hit the shelves![[labelnote:*]][[And in case if you forgot, SequelDisplacement]] this one also has the city of San Andreas.[[/labelnote]]

** The Build engine is notorious for its flaws that allows mapmakers to come up with interesting map ideas. [[http://dukerepository.com/maps/Bizarre Bizarre]] takes this fact and drives it straight into Mindscrew territory.

* MomentOfAwesome: At the end of episode 2 in Duke 3D, before fighting the boss, Duke states that he'll rip of his head and shit down his neck. Cut to the post-boss battle cutscene where Duke follows through on the promise.

** Literally appear in Lame Duke (at least episode 2 level 1), as this beta version features a bat enemy [[DummiedOut which was dropped from the final game]].

* PortingDisaster: The Tiger Game.com version.

* NightmareFuel: All the babes that have been captured by the aliens in ''Duke Nukem 3D''. All you can do is either kill them or leave them to their fate. Even worse is the poor woman in the intro in Episode 4: The Birth. As if [[spoiler: being impregnated and giving birth to the alien's new Queen]] isn't bad enough, there are [[spoiler: alien troopers surrounding her, watching with joy as she screams in agony and presents them with their abomination of a ruler]].

** The Protozoid Slimers, which hatch from eggs, hide in vents, and climb up on your screen, tearing you apart unless you kick 'em quickly. They're pretty hard to hit in the open, too. Luckily one hit of anything kills them if you can connect, including the otherwise damage-less Shrinker.

* DudeNotFunny: Episode 4 features a building where dogs are made into hamburgers, and a grocery store that sells meat made from baby seals and dolphins.

** You can save them in the Nintendo 64 version - possibly the best use of Bowdlerisation on the system.

* AccidentalNightmareFuel: All the babes that have been captured by the aliens in ''Duke Nukem 3D''. All you can do is either kill them or leave them to their fate. Even worse is the poor woman in the intro in Episode 4: The Birth. As if [[spoiler: being impregnated and giving birth to the alien's new Queen]] isn't bad enough, there are [[spoiler: alien troopers surrounding her, watching with joy as she screams in agony and presents them with their abomination of a ruler]].
** You can save them in the Nintendo 64 version - possibly the best use of Bowdlerisation on the system.

* MomentsOfAwesome: At the end of episode 2 in Duke 3D, before fighting the boss, Duke states that he'll rip of his head and shit down his neck. Cut to the post-boss battle cutscene where Duke follows through on the promise.

* SequelDisplacement: Anybody remember ''VideoGame/DukeNukem'' or ''VideoGame/DukeNukemII''?

* SequelDisplacement: Anybody remember ''VideoGame/DukeNukem'' or ''DukeNukemII''?

* CrowningMusicOfAwesome: The main theme, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CezOHqlXAFY "Grabbag"]], to the point that even {{Megadeth}} [[CoverVersion covered]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW_9SGrc4Oo it]].

* SequelDisplacement: Anybody remember Duke Nukem or Duke Nukem II?

* NightmareFuel: All the babes that have been captured by the aliens in ''Duke Nukem 3D''. All you can do is either kill them or leave them to their fate. Even worse is the poor woman in the intro in Episode 4: The Birth. As if [[spoiler: being impregnated and giving birth to the alien's new Queen]] isn't bad enough, there are [[spoiler: alien troopers surrounding her, watching with joy as she screams in agony and presents them with their abomination of a ruler]].
* TakeThat: There are a pair of billboards in the game referencing the OJ Simpson trial, one saying Innocent? and the other proclaiming Guilty! Both are written in blood. OJ's white Bronco chase can be seen on one of the TVs as well.