Duke Nukem 3D — Play Duke Nukem 3D Online Free
Hail to the king: the 1996 classic’s shareware episode, running in your browser on the open-source EDuke32 engine.
Duke Nukem 3D runs on the open-source EDuke32 engine (GPL-2.0); this is the port team's WebAssembly build with the freely-distributable 1996 shareware episode, embedded unmodified.
Keyboard Controls
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| W A S D | Move and strafe |
| Mouse | Aim; click the canvas to capture |
| Left Click / Ctrl | Fire |
| Space / E | Open doors and use |
| 1 – 0 | Select weapons |
| Shift | Run |
| Esc | Menu (save, load, options) |
Quick Answer
This page runs Duke Nukem 3D’s shareware episode — L.A. Meltdown, the episode originally distributed for free in 1996 — on EDuke32, the open-source engine that maintains the game today, compiled to WebAssembly in your browser. No download or account: click Launch, grab the mouse, and go. Progress saves to your device.
How It Works
Click Launch — the engine and shareware data load straight in
Click the canvas to capture the mouse for aiming
Fight through Hollywood Holocaust to the episode boss
Save from the in-game menu anytime; it stays on your device
Key Facts
- The 1996 classic’s free shareware episode, L.A. Meltdown
- Runs on EDuke32 — the two-decade open-source port of the engine
- WebAssembly build published by the port team, embedded unmodified
- Mouse + keyboard FPS controls with full look and strafe
- Saves persist in your browser storage
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Duke Nukem 3D is this — the full game?
It is the shareware Episode 1, L.A. Meltdown — the episode Apogee originally handed out on magazine cover disks for free in 1996, containing a full campaign arc of levels and bosses. The full three-episode retail game is still a commercial product (available on GOG and Steam) and cannot legally be hosted; the shareware episode was made for free distribution.
What engine is running it?
EDuke32 — the open-source (GPL-2.0) port maintained by the Duke4.net community since the 2003 source release, which powers modern re-releases’ backwards compatibility and thousands of mods. This embed is the EDuke32 WebAssembly build published by the port team on GitHub Pages, running unmodified.
Does it save?
Yes — the menu’s save system writes to your browser’s storage on your device. Saved mid-level? Close the tab and pick it back up later in the same browser.
Is it appropriate for kids?
No — Duke Nukem 3D is a 1996 M-rated shooter with violence and innuendo, presented here exactly as it shipped. It is a piece of FPS history, not a family game.