Duke Nukem Forever King Edition

Not every Duke edition needs to go nuclear. The Duke Nukem Forever King Edition on PlayStation 3 takes a leaner approach to the collector's treatment, pairing the game with a handful of thematic extras that feel like Duke packed them himself between sessions at the blackjack table.

The Duke Playing Cards are the highlight, a full deck branded with the kind of irreverent attitude the franchise is built on. These are the sort of physical goods that actually get used, shuffled through poker nights and displayed in card collections alike. The Duke Bubblegum is pure novelty, a callback to Duke's iconic "chew bubblegum and kick ass" line that's been quoted at every gaming convention since 1996. Whether you chew it or preserve it sealed is a personality test for collectors.

The Ego Boost DLC rounds things out on the digital side, giving Duke a gameplay advantage that matches his personality. It's a fitting bonus for an edition that doesn't pretend to be more than it is.

The King Edition occupies a middle tier in the Duke Nukem Forever lineup, sitting below the Balls of Steel Edition but above the standard release. For collectors who want Duke represented in their PS3 library without committing to the full poker-chip-and-bust experience, this is the more restrained option. Restrained by Duke standards, anyway. Those playing cards alone are worth tracking down for anyone who appreciates when game merchandise actually commits to the bit.