[08-15] What are the differences between the various versions of Duke 3D?

Explore the four versions of Duke Nukem 3D: Shareware, original, Plutonium Pak, and Atomic Edition. Learn their differences and availability.

There are four distinct versions of Duke Nukem 3D you might encounter:

• Duke Nukem 3D (Shareware): This version was released initially to give players a preview of the full game. It exclusively includes Episode 1 - L.A Meltdown. As the name suggests, Shareware is free and can be easily found online.
• Duke Nukem 3D: This is the original release of the game, featuring the first three episodes. This version is no longer available for purchase from 3DRealms.
• Duke Nukem 3D: Plutonium Pak: This is the official expansion pack for Duke Nukem 3D, containing Episode 4 - The Birth. To run the Plutonium Pak, you needed the original Duke Nukem 3D installed. 3DRealms no longer sells this expansion.
• Duke Nukem 3D: Atomic Edition: Considered the final release, this version combines the original Duke Nukem 3D and the Duke Nukem 3D: Plutonium Pak into a single package. The Atomic Edition also includes various extras not present in earlier versions, detailed in Section 07-05, On The Atomic Edition Disc. This version remains publicly available from 3DRealms and is the recommended way to install Duke Nukem 3D.