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Duke Nukem II cover art
Duke Nukem II. Duke Nukem II cover art © Apogee / 3D Realms, via Wikipedia. Unofficial site, not affiliated with the publisher.
PC port · MS-DOS → PC

RigelEngine (Duke Nukem II re-implementation)

A drop-in re-implementation of Apogee's Duke Nukem II (1993), rebuilt from the original binaries, for Windows, Linux, Mac and Steam Deck, with widescreen and quick saves. All four episodes play.

WorkingEngine rewriteNeeds your own copyv0.9.1Updated

You need your own copy of Duke Nukem II. This port only runs with files from a copy you own; there is no download or play button here. No copy? These play in your browser right away, no files needed: Wasm Doom (Doom in the browser), QuakeWorld on q1.pieter.com, BO1 Zombies (vel.gg).

What you need

The data files of Duke Nukem II: the registered version (sold on Steam and GOG as part of Duke Nukem collections) or the free shareware episode. Plus a Windows, Linux or Mac computer.

Official releases ↗GitHub repository ↗

We do not host any files. Only download from the project's official source.

Every version of Duke Nukem II 2

  1. RigelEngine (Duke Nukem II re-implementation)This page

    WorkingEngine remake

    A modern re-implementation of the classic DOS game Duke Nukem II

    Runs on Windows (x64), Linux (x64, .deb), macOSNeeds files from a copy you own★ 1k0.9.1 · Dec 10, 2022

    GitHub ↗

  2. Duke2Reconstructed

    ActiveDecompilation

    Reconstructed source code of the game Duke Nukem II

    ★ 373Last change Apr 13, 2025

    GitHub ↗

We link to each project's own page and host no game files. Version data from project pages, our daily checks and awesome-decomp-games (CC0).

Short answer

RigelEngine is a modern re-implementation of Apogee’s Duke Nukem II (1993) that works as a drop-in replacement for the original executable, for Windows, Linux, macOS and Steam Deck. It adds widescreen, smooth scrolling, quick saves and better controller support, and all four episodes are fully playable. It needs the game’s data files (the shareware episode is free). Latest release: 0.9.1, 10 December 2022.

This site is not affiliated with RigelEngine, Apogee or 3D Realms. We do not host any files and only link the project’s official pages.

What it is

Duke Nukem II is a side-scrolling DOS platformer from 1993, the sequel to the original Duke Nukem and predecessor of Duke Nukem 3D. It normally runs in DOSBox today.

RigelEngine “is a re-implementation of the game Duke Nukem II … RigelEngine works as a drop-in replacement for the original executable: It reads the game’s data files and plays just like the original, but runs natively on modern operating systems” (RigelEngine README). No source code for the original was ever released, so Nikolai Wuttke (lethal-guitar) rebuilt it by disassembling the original binaries. He later published Duke2Reconstructed, a complete reconstruction of the original code.

Current status

  • Status: Working and complete. The README: “All four episodes of the game (shareware and registered version) are fully playable and on par with the original game.”
  • Development: in “maintenance” mode. Major bugs get fixed and builds kept running, but no new features are planned.
  • Latest release: 0.9.1, 10 December 2022, for Windows x64, Linux (.deb, including an OpenGL ES build) and macOS.
  • Web version: the README lists a browser build but currently marks it as not working.

What you need

  • Duke Nukem II data files, either from the registered game (sold today in Duke Nukem collections on Steam and GOG) or the free shareware episode.
  • A Windows, Linux or Mac computer, or a Steam Deck (setup guide).

We do not link any copies of the registered game.

How setup works (overview)

  1. Get the Duke Nukem II files, registered or shareware.
  2. Download RigelEngine from the releases page.
  3. Start it and point it at the folder with the game’s data files (or place it next to them).
  4. Turn on widescreen, smooth movement and other options in the settings, and play.

What it adds

From the README:

  • a widescreen mode;
  • smooth scrolling and movement at a higher frame rate;
  • quick saving;
  • improved game controller support;
  • extended modding features.

The FAQ covers settings and common questions.

FAQ

How do I play Duke Nukem II on Windows 10 or 11?

Use RigelEngine. It is a drop-in replacement for the original DOS executable that reads the game's data files and runs natively on Windows, Linux and macOS, with widescreen, smooth scrolling and quick saves. All four episodes are fully playable.

Can I try RigelEngine for free?

Yes, with the shareware version of Duke Nukem II, which contains the first episode. The README says both the shareware and registered versions are fully playable.

Is RigelEngine still developed?

It is in maintenance mode. The author writes that the project is stable and fairly complete, and that he will fix major bugs and keep the builds working but does not plan new features. The latest release is 0.9.1 from December 2022.

Was the Duke Nukem II source code released?

No. RigelEngine is based on reverse engineering of the original binaries. The same author later published Duke2Reconstructed, a complete reconstruction of the original code.

Does RigelEngine run on Steam Deck?

Yes. The project wiki has a Steam Deck setup guide.

Unofficial. This page is written by an independent directory. It is not made by, endorsed by or affiliated with Apogee Software or Nikolai Wuttke (lethal-guitar) (RigelEngine (Duke Nukem II re-implementation)'s author). We do not host any files, and we never link to game files, ROMs or ISOs.

Sources

This page was last updated on Nov 3, 2026. A date after a source is the day we read it. Versions and steps follow the official project; if they differ, the official source wins.

More ports

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