

Five of the twelve weapons use hitscan, and another four produce explosions. Weapons range from the Mighty Foot, which is a basic melee attack, to a pistol, a chaingun cannon, pipe bombs, and guns that shrink and freeze enemies. Weapons reimagined in 3D by Edwart Kvasnevskyĭuke Nukem 3D includes a range of weapons, some of which remain unique to the Duke Nukem franchise even today.

The levels in Duke Nukem 3D also tend to exhibit non-linear design, such that air vents, back doors, and sewers offer converging routes to completion. For example, toilets can be used to urinate or to replenish the player's health by smashing them and then drinking from their water source. Some of these objects perform multiple functions. Interactive objects include light switches, drinking fountains, strippers, surveillance screens, bins, toilets, pool tables, telephones, explosive barrels, fire hydrants, and a photocopier. Level design in Duke Nukem 3D is notable for its depth of interactivity, which set a new standard for first-person shooters.
