Notes on Input Devices

In Duke Nukem 3D, you have many different ways to control Duke. You can
run, jump, crouch, strafe left or right, look up or down, use inventory
items, use items in the environment, etc.

With so many actions at your disposal, choosing and configuring your input
device is crucial. The main thing to remember is that there's no right or
wrong way to configure the controls, as long as they feel comfortable to
you. Fortunately, Duke Nukem 3D supports four different control methods:
keyboard, keyboard & joystick, gamepad, and external controller. You just
have to find some configuration that works best for you.

Some general rules:

Whatever input device you choose to play Duke Nukem 3D should have at least
five buttons so you can perform the most basic actions: running, jumping,
crouching, strafing, and of course shooting. In order to be able to play
without using the keyboard at all, you'll need something sophisticated like
Advanced Gravis's Phoenix, which gives you 24 programmable buttons. You
don't want to use a gamepad that forces you to use two hands, but doesn't
give you 100% of the functionality you need, or you'll have to be
constantly taking your hands off the gamepad to use the keyboard to perform
some common function, like strafing.

It is said that the expert players are those who use the keyboard/mouse
combination, since the mouse allows you to turn and move around faster, and
makes it easier to quickly aim at targets. So an obvious rule of thumb is
that your configuration should minimize the delay in performing any action
necessary in game play. You don't want to get caught fumbling with your
controls while your enemy approached with an RPG in hand. :-)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------