What is the best game similar to Duke Nukem?

The closest game to Duke Nukem is Ristar, scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. They share 6 gameplay attributes, including precision platforming, single-player focus and melee combat. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Duke Nukem?

The three closest games to Duke Nukem are: 1. Ristar (97/100, 6 shared attributes) 2. Pinkman (97/100, 4 shared attributes) 3. Gravity Circuit (97/100, 6 shared attributes). All share Duke Nukem's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 46 candidates across 7 dimensions.

Is Pinkman similar to Duke Nukem?

Yes, very much so — Pinkman scores 97/100 similarity to Duke Nukem. They share 4 attributes, including precision platforming and single-player focus. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What Platformer games are similar to Duke Nukem?

The best Platformer games similar to Duke Nukem are Ristar, Pinkman, Gravity Circuit and Jazz Jackrabbit. All share the Platformer genre alongside other key Duke Nukem attributes like precision platforming, single-player focus and melee combat.

How is similarity to Duke Nukem calculated?

We compare Duke Nukem against every game in our catalog using 7 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Duke Nukem experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

46 Games like Duke Nukem that you should try

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Few titles capture what makes Duke Nukem unique: precision platforming, melee combat and setting scifi. After measuring 7 attributes across over 6,700 games, these are the 46 most faithful alternatives. Ristar, Pinkman and Gravity Circuit top the ranking, with Ristar at number one (97/100).

iRank82/ 100

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GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Top games similar to Duke Nukem

46 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Duke Nukem. Each one has been evaluated across 7 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1Ristar

iRank100

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMeleeSci-Fi2DPixel Art

Steam👍 100%· 11

Year 1995Dev Sega Enterprises, Ltd. · Tec ToyOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, melee combat and setting scifi

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, while skipping shooter

Details →

Steam

#2Pinkman

iRank98

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMelee2DCasual

Steam👍 98%· 696

Year 2017Dev Viridino StudiosPlaytime ~3hOn PC

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling and vibe casual, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMeleeSci-Fi2DPixel Art

Steam👍 94%· 3.5KMC89IGDB90· 1OC86· 14

Year 2023Dev Domesticated Ants · Plug In DigitalPlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, melee combat and setting scifi

≠ Where it differs: brings fighting mechanics, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloSci-Fi2DPixel Art

IGDB87· 1

Year 1994Dev Epic Games

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, shooter and setting scifi

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, while skipping melee combat

Details →

#5Sonic Generations

iRank88

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMelee2DThird Person3D

Steam👍 94%· 25KIGDB75· 10

Year 2011Dev Sonic Team · SegaOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, visual third person and visual 3d, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloSci-Fi2D

IGDB85· 1

Year 1993Dev CapcomOn iOS

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, shooter and setting scifi

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, while skipping melee combat

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMeleeSci-Fi2DPixel Art

Steam👍 90%· 5.5KIGDB85· 1

Year 1993Dev Sonic Team · SegaOn PC

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, melee combat and setting scifi

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling and post-apocalyptic world, while skipping shooter

Details →

Steam

#8Disney's The Jungle Book

iRank81

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMelee2D

Steam👍 86%· 14IGDB70· 1

Year 1994Dev Eurocom Entertainment Software · Virgin Interactive Entertainment (Europe) Ltd.On PC

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloSci-Fi2D

IGDB76· 2

Year 1994Dev Shiny Entertainment · Tec Toy

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, shooter and setting scifi.

≠ Missing: melee combat.

Details →

#10Mega Man 8

iRank69

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloSci-Fi2DPixel Art

IGDB69· 2

Year 1996Dev Capcom · Ocean SoftwareOn PlayStation 3

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, shooter and setting scifi.

≠ Missing: melee combat.

Details →

#11Super Mario Maker

iRank89

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2DPixel Art

IGDB90· 11OC89· 88

Year 2015Dev Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.4 · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, single-player focus and visual 2d.

≠ Missing: shooter.

Details →

Nintendo

#12Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment

iRank89

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMelee2DPixel ArtFantasy

Steam👍 94%· 481IGDB83· 6OC86· 32

Year 2017Dev Yacht Club GamesOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · Linux

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling and fantasy world, while skipping shooter

Details →

Steam GOG PS

#13pureya

iRank86

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMelee2DPixel ArtRanged

Steam👍 96%· 2.4KIGDB65· 1

Year 2021Dev MajorariattoPlaytime ~4hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: sports simulation, vibe casual and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloSci-Fi2D

IGDB67· 2

Year 2011Dev Halfbrick Studios · BeatshapersOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · PC

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, setting scifi and single-player focus.

≠ Missing: shooter.

Details →

#15Disney's DuckTales

iRank86

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2DPixel ArtDark

IGDB86· 1

Year 1989Dev Capcom · Walt Disney Computer Software

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, single-player focus and visual 2d

≠ Its own twist: dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping shooter

Details →

Complete list of Duke Nukem alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Duke Nukem, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

The Final Station

Platformer · Survival

Metroid II: Return of Samus

Platformer · Shooter

Rayman

Platformer · Adventure

Blade Kitten

Platformer · Adventure

DLC Quest

Platformer · Adventure

Mega Man 5

Platformer · Shooter

Mega Man 7

Platformer · Shooter

Mega Man 4

Platformer · Shooter

Mega Man

Platformer · Shooter

Mega Man 3

Platformer · Shooter

Out of This World

Platformer · Adventure

Mega Man X5

Platformer · Shooter

Mega Man 2

Platformer · Adventure

Mega Man X2

Platformer · Shooter

Mega Man X4

Platformer · Shooter

Mega Man 6

Platformer · Shooter

Super Mario Run

Platformer · Adventure

A.R.E.S.: Extinction Agenda

Platformer

Jurassic Park

Platformer · Shooter

Mega Man X8

Platformer · Shooter

Mega Man X6

Platformer · Shooter

Mega Man X3

Platformer · Shooter

Flashback: The Quest for Identity

Platformer · Adventure

Crash Bandicoot: Warped

Platformer · Adventure

Super Mario Bros. 2

Platformer · Adventure

Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3

Platformer

Donkey Kong

Platformer

Hudson's Adventure Island

Platformer · Adventure

Disney's Toy Story

Platformer

Cool Spot

Platformer

Wake

Platformer

Explore games similar to Duke Nukem by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best 2D Platformer Games Best Platformer Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Duke Nukem?: The closest game to Duke Nukem is Ristar, scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. They share 6 gameplay attributes, including precision platforming, single-player focus and melee combat. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Duke Nukem?: The three closest games to Duke Nukem are: 1. Ristar (97/100, 6 shared attributes) 2. Pinkman (97/100, 4 shared attributes) 3. Gravity Circuit (97/100, 6 shared attributes). All share Duke Nukem's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 46 candidates across 7 dimensions.
Is Pinkman similar to Duke Nukem?: Yes, very much so — Pinkman scores 97/100 similarity to Duke Nukem. They share 4 attributes, including precision platforming and single-player focus. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Platformer games are similar to Duke Nukem?: The best Platformer games similar to Duke Nukem are Ristar, Pinkman, Gravity Circuit and Jazz Jackrabbit. All share the Platformer genre alongside other key Duke Nukem attributes like precision platforming, single-player focus and melee combat.
How is similarity to Duke Nukem calculated?: We compare Duke Nukem against every game in our catalog using 7 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Duke Nukem experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.