[02-02-06] Misc. Keys

Discover the locations and strategies for finding all the 'Misc. Keys' in Duke Nukem 3D. This guide covers every level and hidden area to help you progress.

This guide covers the levels and secrets of Duke Nukem 3D, focusing on the 'Misc. Keys' which are integral to progressing through the game. The information is based on research and player experience, and may not be exhaustive.

Episode 1: LA Meltdown

The first episode, 'LA Meltdown', includes levels like 'Hollywood Holocaust'. This level is set in a theater and features a wide road resembling the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Players can find an RPG early on and can use it to penetrate certain windows. A hidden area with a chain gun is accessible behind a window in the left building. The theater shows a film that can be interacted with by shooting a projector, revealing a woman in a bikini. Destroying a crack in the image with an RPG or pipe bomb is part of the gameplay. The arcade area contains gas canisters that, when exploded, require a quick retreat to a safe zone near an elevator.

Level Design Notes:

• The 'Hollywood Holocaust' level is a notable remake in various FPS games with level editors, and has been featured in Brutal Doom and Duke Nukem Forever.
• It is theoretically possible to acquire every weapon available in the shareware version within this level by finding all hidden areas.
• The level's design includes references to pop culture, such as a possible satire of the OJ Simpson case with the 'Innocent' sign and the 'GUILTY!' sign.
• Elements from this level, like theater billboards and dumbbells, have appeared in other games due to copyright disputes.