Back in 1996, PC gamers were hit by a double-whammy of quality first-person shooters. Not only did Id Software unleash Quake on the world, 3d Realms also unveiled their take on the genre, called Duke Nukem 3D. Both titles revolutionised gaming, but in different ways. Quake asserted itself on the gaming community with incredible 3D graphics and a huge potential for multiplayer. Duke Nukem, on the other hand, featured something that Id Software’s masterpiece lacked: personality.

Duke Nukem 3D was all about having fun. The title character was crude, the weapons were ridiculous, and the plot was downright stupid (in a good way). While Quake was about serious LAN competition, Duke was about creating a "groovy" game, where players could blow up buildings, and rip aliens a new one.

Of course, that was 13 years ago. When considered through the hazy glow of nostalgia, almost everything glows brighter (expect maybe games like Superman 64, which tends to induce nightmares and vomiting). So how does Duke stack up today?

I'll admit I was a little apprehensive when I loaded up the game. As soon as you start the game, it really hits you just how much it has aged. The graphics are now completely pixelated, the 2D enemies look daft when they move around and the controls are so out-of-date you actually have to press the ALT-key to strafe.

Once you start roaming around the futuristic world that Duke finds himself in, it soon becomes apparent that the game still has that personality which made it great all those years ago. Duke is such an overblown, egotistical, and hilarious character that it's difficult to tire of his antics. He has more one-liners than Arnold Schwarzenegger in Commando, and part of the game's fun is just seeing what Duke will say next.

The game's personality also shines through in its innovative level design. While the levels are basic compared to today's FPS standards, the developers put a huge amount of effort into ensuring each level comes alive. Indeed, considering the game was created in 1996, the attention to detail is astonishing. Bathroom mirrors actually provide a reflection. Blood sprays actually drip down walls. And strippers, well, they actually take off their clothes off.

Also commendable is the huge number of secrets that are hidden within each level, many of which involve in-jokes and pop culture references. For instance, over the course of the game, Duke will find the mutilated of bodies of Luke Skywalker, a T-800 terminator, and a space marine from Doom. All of these secrets provoke some kind of witty or, more likely, cringe-worthy response from Duke (e.g. "That's one doomed space marine"). They also provide impetus for the player to continue searching for more secrets.

Humour aside, the core game is also still enjoyable to play - and not just in a nostalgic kind of way. Once you get past the antiquated control system, Duke Nukem 3D remains a challenging and exciting FPS. It's also always intriguing to see what Duke does to a boss after he rips off the creature's head and, erm, "does something" down its neck.

There are a few options available to players who wish to re-join Duke on his quest to save the world and its babes. Duke Nukem 3D: Atomic Edition is available for download on gog.com, complete with a free ring tone. It's also fairly easy to find a Windows version of the game on eBay. The Xbox Live Arcade version has all of the Atomic Edition content, along with the ability to rewind to an earlier point in your game. Duke Nukem conversions have also appeared on the Saturn, PlayStation, Nintendo 64, and more recently, on the iPhone, but none are as good as the original.

It's a shame that Duke Nukem Forever never saw the light of day, because Duke Nukem 3D deserved a proper sequel. Maybe one day.