# Rigel Engine: a Duke Nukem II engine reimplementation

> Rigel Engine reimplements Duke Nukem II in C++ using findings from disassembly of the original game binaries. It replaces the DOS executable while reading the user's original game data, and adds widescreen display, smooth scrolling, quick saves and controller support.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Game
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-06
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-09
- Original resource: <https://github.com/lethal-guitar/RigelEngine>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/lethal-guitar/RigelEngine/blob/30afeff8f0b105eac77ee0a2fbd54b06e1a49b60/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/rigel-engine-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/rigel-engine-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/rigel-engine-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** Original Duke Nukem II game data is required; shareware and registered data are supported.
- **Prerequisites:** Windows, Linux or Mac OS X and OpenGL 3.0 or OpenGL ES 2.0 capable graphics hardware are specified.
- **Limits:** The web version is currently unavailable.
- **License:** GPL-2.0 license.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/lethal-guitar/RigelEngine/blob/30afeff8f0b105eac77ee0a2fbd54b06e1a49b60/README.md>

## More in Games

- [Riiablo: rebuilding Diablo II in Java](https://awesomerea.org/resources/riiablo-case/index.md) · Case study
- [rlvm: a RealLive interpreter reimplementation](https://awesomerea.org/resources/rlvm-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Robot War Engine: a Total Annihilation-compatible engine reconstruction](https://awesomerea.org/resources/robot-war-engine-case/index.md) · Case study
- [roBrowser: a browser reconstruction of Ragnarok Online](https://awesomerea.org/resources/robrowser-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Rockport Native: reconstructing Need for Speed: Most Wanted on macOS](https://awesomerea.org/resources/rockport-native-nfs-mw-case/index.md) · Case study
- [RodLegacy: reimplementing Street Rod and Street Rod 2](https://awesomerea.org/resources/rodlegacy-case/index.md) · Case study

## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.
