3D Realms returns with 32-game anthology bundle

3D Realms Anthology

3D Realms, as you are no doubt aware, is actually legally known as Apogee Software, Ltd., distinct from Apogee Software, LLC, which was spun off from 3D Realms in 2008 and holds the license to the Apogee name, logo, and library. Got it? Me neither, but that's not important: The point is that 3D Realms is back, with a 32-game anthology bundle that includes some real retro goodness.

3D Realms had a good run through the 90s, but the following decade was rough. Its greatest success, Duke Nukem, became its downfall: Unable to finish the infamous Duke Nukem Forever, it closed its doors in 2009. Earlier this year, however, the company showed signs of new life thanks to its acquisition by Interceptor Entertainment, most recently known for remaking Rise of the Triad and being sued by Gearbox.

We said at the time that we were looking forward to learning what 3D Realms would get up to, and now we know: It's getting up to what 3D Realms got up to all those many years ago. That would be, specifically, the 3D Realms Anthology, a collection of (almost) the entire 3D Realms oeuvre, along with a "re-rockestrated" soundtrack. The anthology includes:

  • Arctic Adventure
  • Bio Menace
  • Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold
  • Commander Keen: Goodbye Galaxy
  • Commander Keen: Invasion of the Vorticons
  • Math Rescue
  • Monster Bash
  • Mystic Towers
  • Paganitzu
  • Monuments of Mars
  • Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure
  • Crystal Caves
  • Death Rally
  • Alien Carnage
  • Hocus Pocus
  • Major Stryker
  • Blake Stone: Planet Strike
  • Realms of Chaos
  • Pharaoh's Tomb
  • Word Rescue
  • Secret Agent
  • Raptor: Call of the Shadows
  • Terminal Velocity
  • Wacky Wheels
  • Stargunner
  • Shadow Warrior
  • Wolfenstein 3D
  • Rise of the Triad: Dark War
  • Duke Nukem
  • Duke Nukem 2
  • Duke Nukem 3D
  • Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project

There's some stuff in there that probably isn't going to turn too many cranks, but there are a lot of winners, too. Max Payne and Prey are unfortunate (and unexplained) absences, although they may simply be a little too new (or perhaps a little too owned by Rockstar) to belong in a bundle like this.

Whatever the case, the games run via a custom-built launcher designed for Windows, so compatibility presumably won't be an issue, and the whole thing goes for $20. Interested? Get the details at 3DRealms.com.

Andy Chalk

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.