Duke Nukem Advance

Lore & Background

Duke Nukem, the self-proclaimed savior of Earth, is a muscular, wisecracking action hero known for his love of firearms, fast cars, and chewing gum. In Duke Nukem Advance, he is called back into action when an alien invasion threatens the planet once again. The game's story is a classic Duke Nukem scenario: extraterrestrial forces have launched a full-scale assault, and only Duke has the firepower and attitude to stop them. The game's levels are set in various real-world inspired locations, including city streets, military bases, and alien spacecraft, all rendered in the Game Boy Advance's limited but colorful 2.5D graphics.

In Their Own Story

The sky turned green. Sirens wailed. Duke Nukem, fresh from a victory against the forces of darkness, crushed his cigar stub into the asphalt. 'Looks like it's time for some alien pest control,' he muttered, checking the clip on his shotgun. A shadow fell over the city, and Duke grinned. 'Come and get some.'

Reader's Guide

Duke Nukem Advance follows the classic Duke Nukem formula: an alien invasion must be repelled by the one man tough enough to do it. The player controls Duke through a series of levels, each ending with a boss fight against a large alien creature. The story is minimal, conveyed through brief cutscenes and Duke's one-liners between missions. The campaign is notable for its technical achievement on the Game Boy Advance, offering a 3D-perspective shooter with smooth scrolling and a variety of weapons, including the signature shotgun and pipe bombs. The game's importance lies in its role as a competent handheld adaptation of the Duke Nukem series, bringing the franchise's over-the-top action to a portable audience. It was one of the few first-person shooters available for the system at the time, and it helped establish the viability of the genre on Nintendo's handheld. The game does not significantly expand the main series lore but serves as a fun, self-contained adventure that captures the spirit of the character.

Did You Know?

• Duke Nukem Advance was one of the first first-person shooters developed specifically for the Game Boy Advance, using a custom engine to simulate 3D environments.
• The game features a unique health system where Duke can collect 'health pickups' in the form of items like donuts and cola, a humorous nod to the series' style.
• Unlike many console ports of the era, Duke Nukem Advance was an original title, not a direct port of any PC Duke Nukem game.
• The game includes a multiplayer mode via link cable, allowing two players to compete in deathmatch, a rare feature for Game Boy Advance shooters.