Hello everyone I'm XboxClown89, I checked through my posts. I'm surprised I never got around directly comparing two versions of Duke Nukem 3D. Which is still among my absolute favorite FPS games ever!!! Despite being the same game, there's plenty of differences to help differ the two versions. Regardless if you were able to get your hands on both of them, you should be proud.
Duke Nukem 3D: Megaton Edition (2013)
Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour (2016)
Two different teams worked on their respective take on Duke Nukem 3D. Even bringing up their console counterparts based on those versions is a little weird. The team responsible for Megaton Edition also developed Shadow Warrior Classic Redux. There's no question, this game meant so much to the fans as well as gaming as a whole.
I think it's easier to start with what they do differently. There's a reason behind both their titles. Megaton Edition not only gives you the entire classic FPS game. You also get all three official expansion packs too. In World Tour's case, you get a new exclusive fifth episode. I should point out, all these extra episode campaigns weren't necessary designed by 3D Realms or Gearbox Software.
There's some changes done by them to not take away from the overall experience. Nerve Software is more involved with Doom franchise worked on World Tour version. Devolver Digital best known for Serious Sam & Shadow Warrior series worked on Megaton Edition. The fifth episode breaks the boss rule by adding in more boss fights through out the episode.
There's also commentary added to the game despite how little it's actually presented in World Tour version. If you see the audio icon during the levels, that's what those are. Another major difference is the graphics. Megaton Edition is more shine up rather than being reworked as in World Tour version. Don't get me wrong both versions looks, sounds and plays amazingly well.
Due to how Megaton Edition was created, it's easier to work on more computers as well as work with mods. Both do feature a level editor feature that works outside the game. Yes Duke Nukem gets lines exclusive to some bonus campaigns. Mostly Duke Caribbean: Life's a Beach and the fifth episode respectively.
Which brings us to another difference, Megaton Edition version actually comes with the original DOS version too. It's console ports lacks this however. World Tour version does pull the rewind feature straight from Xbox 360 port of Duke 3D. For those not familiar with the feature. Basically if you die, you can rewind up to you died.
This would be a double edge sword. You could rewind enough to give yourself a fighting chance or less of a chance if you aren't careful. Not to mention using any cheats will disable that feature. It will remain disabled after turning off. Unless you either restart current level or go into the next level. Honestly, this is a small issue.
Megaton Edition version is set up with an option menu before anything fires up. You can choose either version of the game, the expansions or level editor. Most of these are in their own programs while World Tour version has all of it into one program. Both have different updated engines that also effects the artwork as well.
World Tour version has seven more achievements. Both do have achievements not presented in the other version. Considering I got all of them in both versions I felt I should talk about it too. I will list every single achievement down below to make it easier to see. Achievement pictures are very different as well.
Duke Nukem 3D: Megaton Edition exclusive achievements
Balls of Snow-Completing Duke: Nuclear Winter
The Patriot Act-Completing Duke It Out in D.C.
Limbo time!-Completing Duke Caribbean: Life's a Beach
Gonna Rip Em' a New One-Get 100 total kills in Dukematch games
See You in Hell-Get 250 total kills in Dukematch games
Hail to the King, Baby-Get 500 total kills in Dukematch games
Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour exclusive achievements
I Never Knew This Was Here-Find any secret level
All Too Easy-Find a secret area
Rage Engage-Kill 10 bad guys in 10 seconds while on steroids
Nukem All-Kill 5 bad guys with one shot
Roast 'Em-Burn 50 bad guys to death
Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em-Use the Incinerator
I'm Back, Baby-Completing Alien World Order
That's What She Said-Listen to Developer Commentary
I Never Inhaled-Use the hookah in High Times
Buzz Off-Kill a Firefly Trooper while it's flying small
Why So Serious!?!-Find Serious Sam in Mirage Barrage
More Than 2 Weapons At Once?-Carry all weapons with ammo at once
See, I'm Tough Too!-Finish any level on Damn, I'm Good difficulty
You will notice Megaton Edition version has very few online multiplayer achievements while there's virtually none in World Tour version. Episode 5 introduces a few new things into the game. A few new voice overs from the legend himself which I previously mentioned. There's also a new weapon called the Incinerator, an flame thrower.
A new recurring enemy called Firefly Troopers. There's also two smaller variations of previous bosses too. Overlord Sentry & Cycloid Sentry respectively. A new final boss, Cycloid Incinerator. Yes it's a more flame variation of Cycloid Emperor. Also in World Tour version, multiplayer level Faces of Death fully becomes a secret level in Episode 1.
There's more known bugs in World Tour version. Which is weird since that's the more recent version of Duke 3D. Another change that also occurred in Wolfenstein 3D in some more recent versions. World Tour version replaces the cross symbol on medic kits with a pill symbol. It turns out the classic red cross symbol on medical things isn't public domain which led to lawsuits even within video games.
There's a notable audio difference as well. World Tour version adds in another character cameo. This time, Serious Sam himself is hidden in a level. Some achievements got renamed between the two versions. For example, Alien Bastards are Gonna Pay in Megaton Edition got renamed as Alien Maggots are Gonna Pay in World Tour version.
Shame which was for using any cheat codes in Megaton Edition version got renamed as Cheating! in World Tour version. Originally achievements had a reddish background in Megaton Edition version. They changed it to being green instead. I apologize for my color blindness by the way. Some pictures for the same achievements looks better in Megaton Edition version.
The same also can be said for World Tour version in vice versa. Personally I do prefer the achievement pictures more in Megaton Edition version. It's hard to compete with Duke appearing like a Jedi in a picture compared to Darth Duke picture within World Tour version. I should point out modding can bridge episodes from both versions of Duke 3D together.
Yes you can cheat these achievements in some way. I do need to point out both Duke: Nuclear Winter & Duke Carribean: Life's a Beach has exclusive enemies too. Which does included a brain washed Santa Claus I'm not kidding. Duke Carribean also altered most character's appearances as well as the weapons.
Duke: Nuclear Winter didn't properly add in enemies. Some are virtually meant to be the same enemies by the programming. Sometimes, cheating causes enemies to turn into Santas. There's also snowmen as well as elves trying to kill you too. In Duke Carribean, you also have to take on Inflatable Sea Monsters and Seagulls.
There isn't much additional story within the expansions with most of it being within their respective endings. Two of the three expansions has Cycloid Emperor as a final boss. Duke: Nuclear Winter made Santa himself as the final boss. I got to be honest, despite how terrible that expansion was. This boss fight ended up being amazing.
Thus unofficially you have an even more complete Duke 3D collection. I should point out through modding, you also could play recreation of other console versions of Duke 3D as well. You also have access to those if you mod either version of Duke 3D. I felt to me, Megaton Edition version plays a little better overall.
World Tour version isn't far behind but it just isn't as smooth within the controls. It's not game breaking but it's still an notable issue. You can probably tell how much I love this game by now lol. I should also point out Megaton Edition version no longer available on Steam. Obviously their trailers are vastly different as well.
You already know both versions are very faithful to the original game. I can easily recommend both of them to everyone. I know some people rather know which version I'm a bigger fan of. Yes some previous team members worked on World Tour version. I have reasons to go with Megaton Edition version more.
To me, I felt like there wasn't enough to keep me replaying World Tour version. It's like you're going to go to an all you can eat buffet but most of the good stuff already gone when you get there. Well it's kinda like that in a nut shell. Most of the newer stuff you may end up forgetting about. Not to mention, Megaton Edition version having the expansions felt more complete.
Almost like I wish those expansions were in World Tour version but aren't. In a way I do feel a bit cheated. Now World Tour version done notably better on console versions. Although, I never got to play either PS port of Megaton Edition. I did talk to someone years ago who has. This person stated Xbox 360 port which I'm also familiar with was notably better in comparison.
Then again, a different team worked on two versions almost didn't release their console ports at all. This is likely why console versions of World Tour version ended up being better. So console wise I have to go with World Tour version but PC wise Megaton Edition version, Baby!!! Megaton Edition felt like the full package in comparison to what World Tour version offers.
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