Duke Nukem

46 Games like Duke Nukem that you should try

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Duke Nukem is hard to replace: few games combine precision platforming, melee combat and setting scifi in quite the same way. We analyzed over 2,000 titles across 7 gameplay attributes and found 46 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Ristar, Pinkman and Gravity Circuit lead the list, with Ristar reaching a 97/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Duke Nukem special.

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GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Tags

Solo

Year 1991Dev Apogee Software

Stores

Quick answer

The closest game to Duke Nukem is Ristar — scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. Pinkman and Gravity Circuit follow close behind.

#1Ristar97 #2Pinkman97 #3Gravity Circuit97 #4Jazz Jackrabbit97 #5Sonic Generations97

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Games like Duke Nukem

46 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

97

Ristar

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

97

Pinkman

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

#3Gravity Circuit

97

Gravity Circuit

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

#4Jazz Jackrabbit

97

Jazz Jackrabbit

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

#5Sonic Generations

97

Sonic Generations

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

97

Mega Man X

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

95

Sonic CD

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

#8Disney's The Jungle Book

97

Disney's The Jungle Book

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMelee2D

Steam👍 86%· 14IGDB70· 1

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

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

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

#9Earthworm Jim

97

Earthworm Jim

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloSci-Fi2D

IGDB76· 2

Year 1994Dev Shiny Entertainment · Tec Toy

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

≠ Missing: melee combat.

97

Mega Man 8

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.

#11Super Mario Maker

92

Super Mario Maker

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.

#12Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment

92

Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment

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

92

pureya

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

#14Jetpack Joyride

97

Jetpack Joyride

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.

#15Disney's DuckTales

92

Disney's DuckTales

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Solo2DPixel ArtDark

IGDB86· 1

Year 1989Dev Capcom · Walt Disney Computer Software

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

≠ Stands apart with dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping shooter

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Metroid II: Return of Samus

Platformer · shooter

Rayman

Rayman

Platformer · Adventure

Blade Kitten

Blade Kitten

Platformer · Adventure

DLC Quest

DLC Quest

Platformer · Adventure

Mega Man 5

Mega Man 5

Platformer · shooter

Mega Man 7

Mega Man 7

Platformer · shooter

Mega Man 4

Mega Man 4

Platformer · shooter

Mega Man

Mega Man

Platformer · shooter

Mega Man 3

Mega Man 3

Platformer · shooter

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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.