Duke's Fists

Lore & Background

The original Duke Nukem (1991) does not feature a punching mechanic. The first game to include a melee punch is Duke Nukem II (1993).

In Their Own Story

The corridor stinks of ozone and burnt polymer. Duke's shotgun clicks empty, the mag sliding out with a dry rattle. Three of the things—chitinous, wrong-angled, too many teeth—lunge from the dark at the end of the hall. He doesn't reach for the pistol. Doesn't fumble for a grenade. He just tucks his chin, drops his weight, and steps forward. The first one takes a right cross that folds it in half. The second gets a knee, a headbutt, a final uppercut that sends it skidding into the wall. The third he grabs by the throat and slams it into the floor until the clicking stops. He spits, rolls his neck, and keeps walking. The next room is already making noise.

Reader's Guide

The source article does not provide details on how the punching mechanic works.

Did You Know?

• The first game in the Duke Nukem series, Duke Nukem (1991), does not include a punching mechanic.
• Duke Nukem II (1993) is the first game in the series to feature a melee punch.