diff --git a/common/main/newmenu.h b/common/main/newmenu.h
index 2537b10f6..53401793a 100644
--- a/common/main/newmenu.h
+++ b/common/main/newmenu.h
@@ -179,6 +179,14 @@ static inline void nm_set_item_text(newmenu_item *ni, const char *text)
 	ni->text = (char *)text;
 }
 
+static inline void nm_set_item_radio(newmenu_item *ni, const char *text, unsigned checked, unsigned grp)
+{
+	ni->type = NM_TYPE_RADIO;
+	ni->text = (char *)text;
+	ni->value = checked;
+	ni->group = grp;
+}
+
 #define NEWMENU_MOUSE
 
 // #define NORMAL_CHECK_BOX    "�"
diff --git a/similar/main/gamecntl.c b/similar/main/gamecntl.c
index 73ef2083e..e0b61b2c9 100644
--- a/similar/main/gamecntl.c
+++ b/similar/main/gamecntl.c
@@ -1766,10 +1766,10 @@ void do_cheat_menu()
 	nm_set_item_text(& mm[5], "Score:");
 	nm_set_item_input(&mm[6], 10, score_text);
 #if defined(DXX_BUILD_DESCENT_I)
-	mm[7].type=NM_TYPE_RADIO; mm[7].value=(Players[Player_num].laser_level==0); mm[7].group=0; mm[7].text="Laser level 1";
-	mm[8].type=NM_TYPE_RADIO; mm[8].value=(Players[Player_num].laser_level==1); mm[8].group=0; mm[8].text="Laser level 2";
-	mm[9].type=NM_TYPE_RADIO; mm[9].value=(Players[Player_num].laser_level==2); mm[9].group=0; mm[9].text="Laser level 3";
-	mm[10].type=NM_TYPE_RADIO; mm[10].value=(Players[Player_num].laser_level==3); mm[10].group=0; mm[10].text="Laser level 4";
+	nm_set_item_radio(&mm[7], "Laser level 1", (Players[Player_num].laser_level==0), 0);
+	nm_set_item_radio(&mm[8], "Laser level 2", (Players[Player_num].laser_level==1), 0);
+	nm_set_item_radio(&mm[9], "Laser level 3", (Players[Player_num].laser_level==2), 0);
+	nm_set_item_radio(&mm[10], "Laser level 4", (Players[Player_num].laser_level==3), 0);
 	mm[11].type=NM_TYPE_NUMBER; mm[11].value=Players[Player_num].secondary_ammo[CONCUSSION_INDEX]; mm[11].text="Missiles"; mm[11].min_value=0; mm[11].max_value=200;
 
 	mmn = newmenu_do("Wimp Menu",NULL,12, mm, NULL, NULL );
diff --git a/similar/main/menu.c b/similar/main/menu.c
index 4fb79a5d0..608bdb993 100644
--- a/similar/main/menu.c
+++ b/similar/main/menu.c
@@ -920,10 +920,8 @@ void change_res()
 	for (i = 0; i <= num_presets-1; i++)
 	{
 		snprintf(restext[mc], sizeof(restext[mc]), "%ix%i", SM_W(modes[i]), SM_H(modes[i]));
-		m[mc].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO;
-		m[mc].text = restext[mc];
-		m[mc].value = ((citem == -1) && (Game_screen_mode == modes[i]) && GameCfg.AspectY == SM_W(modes[i])/gcd(SM_W(modes[i]),SM_H(modes[i])) && GameCfg.AspectX == SM_H(modes[i])/gcd(SM_W(modes[i]),SM_H(modes[i])));
-		m[mc].group = 0;
+
+		nm_set_item_radio(&m[mc], restext[mc], ((citem == -1) && (Game_screen_mode == modes[i]) && GameCfg.AspectY == SM_W(modes[i])/gcd(SM_W(modes[i]),SM_H(modes[i])) && GameCfg.AspectX == SM_H(modes[i])/gcd(SM_W(modes[i]),SM_H(modes[i]))), 0);
 		if (m[mc].value)
 			citem = mc;
 		mc++;
@@ -932,7 +930,7 @@ void change_res()
 	nm_set_item_text(& m[mc], ""); mc++; // little space for overview
 	// the fields for custom resolution and aspect
 	opt_cval = mc;
-	m[mc].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[mc].text = "use custom values"; m[mc].value = (citem == -1); m[mc].group = 0; mc++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[mc], "use custom values", (citem == -1), 0); mc++;
 	nm_set_item_text(& m[mc], "resolution:"); mc++;
 	snprintf(crestext, sizeof(crestext), "%ix%i", SM_W(Game_screen_mode), SM_H(Game_screen_mode));
 	nm_set_item_input(&m[mc], 11, crestext); modes[mc] = 0; mc++;
@@ -1136,8 +1134,8 @@ void input_config()
 	nm_set_item_text(& m[nitems], ""); nitems++;
 	nm_set_item_text(& m[nitems], "MOUSE CONTROL TYPE:"); nitems++;
 	opt_ic_mouseflightsim = nitems;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "normal"; m[nitems].value = !PlayerCfg.MouseFlightSim; m[nitems].group = 0; nitems++;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "FlightSim"; m[nitems].value = PlayerCfg.MouseFlightSim; m[nitems].group = 0; nitems++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems], "normal", !PlayerCfg.MouseFlightSim, 0); nitems++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems], "FlightSim", PlayerCfg.MouseFlightSim, 0); nitems++;
 	nm_set_item_text(& m[nitems], ""); nitems++;
 	opt_ic_joymousesens = nitems;
 	nm_set_item_menu(&m[nitems], "SENSITIVITY & DEADZONE"); nitems++;
@@ -1167,17 +1165,17 @@ void reticle_config()
 	int nitems = 0, i, opt_ret_type, opt_ret_rgba, opt_ret_size;
 	nm_set_item_text(& m[nitems], "Reticle Type:"); nitems++;
 	opt_ret_type = nitems;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "Classic"; m[nitems].value = 0; m[nitems].group = 0; nitems++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems], "Classic", 0, 0); nitems++;
 #ifdef OGL
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "Classic Reboot"; m[nitems].value = 0; m[nitems].group = 0; nitems++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems], "Classic Reboot", 0, 0); nitems++;
 #endif
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "None"; m[nitems].value = 0; m[nitems].group = 0; nitems++;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "X"; m[nitems].value = 0; m[nitems].group = 0; nitems++;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "Dot"; m[nitems].value = 0; m[nitems].group = 0; nitems++;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "Circle"; m[nitems].value = 0; m[nitems].group = 0; nitems++;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "Cross V1"; m[nitems].value = 0; m[nitems].group = 0; nitems++;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "Cross V2"; m[nitems].value = 0; m[nitems].group = 0; nitems++;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "Angle"; m[nitems].value = 0; m[nitems].group = 0; nitems++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems], "None", 0, 0); nitems++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems], "X", 0, 0); nitems++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems], "Dot", 0, 0); nitems++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems], "Circle", 0, 0); nitems++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems], "Cross V1", 0, 0); nitems++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems], "Cross V2", 0, 0); nitems++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems], "Angle", 0, 0); nitems++;
 	nm_set_item_text(& m[nitems], ""); nitems++;
 	nm_set_item_text(& m[nitems], "Reticle Color:"); nitems++;
 	opt_ret_rgba = nitems;
@@ -1270,10 +1268,10 @@ void graphics_config()
 #ifdef OGL
 	nm_set_item_text(& m[nitems], "Texture Filtering:"); nitems++;
 	opt_gr_texfilt = nitems;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "None (Classical)"; m[nitems].value = 0; m[nitems].group = 0; nitems++;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "Bilinear"; m[nitems].value = 0; m[nitems].group = 0; nitems++;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "Trilinear"; m[nitems].value = 0; m[nitems].group = 0; nitems++;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "Anisotropic"; m[nitems].value = 0; m[nitems].group = 0; nitems++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems++], "None (Classical)", 0, 0);
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems++], "Bilinear", 0, 0);
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems++], "Trilinear", 0, 0);
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems++], "Anisotropic", 0, 0);
 #if defined(DXX_BUILD_DESCENT_II)
 	opt_gr_movietexfilt = nitems;
 	nm_set_item_checkbox(&m[nitems++], "Movie Filter", GameCfg.MovieTexFilt);
@@ -1811,19 +1809,19 @@ void do_sound_menu()
 	nm_set_item_text(& m[nitems++], "music type:");
 
 	opt_sm_mtype0 = nitems;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "no music"; m[nitems].value = (GameCfg.MusicType == MUSIC_TYPE_NONE); m[nitems].group = 0; nitems++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems], "no music", (GameCfg.MusicType == MUSIC_TYPE_NONE), 0); nitems++;
 
 #if defined(USE_SDLMIXER) || defined(_WIN32)
 	opt_sm_mtype1 = nitems;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "built-in/addon music"; m[nitems].value = (GameCfg.MusicType == MUSIC_TYPE_BUILTIN); m[nitems].group = 0; nitems++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems], "built-in/addon music", (GameCfg.MusicType == MUSIC_TYPE_BUILTIN), 0); nitems++;
 #endif
 
 	opt_sm_mtype2 = nitems;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "cd music"; m[nitems].value = (GameCfg.MusicType == MUSIC_TYPE_REDBOOK); m[nitems].group = 0; nitems++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems], "cd music", (GameCfg.MusicType == MUSIC_TYPE_REDBOOK), 0); nitems++;
 
 #ifdef USE_SDLMIXER
 	opt_sm_mtype3 = nitems;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "jukebox"; m[nitems].value = (GameCfg.MusicType == MUSIC_TYPE_CUSTOM); m[nitems].group = 0; nitems++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems], "jukebox", (GameCfg.MusicType == MUSIC_TYPE_CUSTOM), 0); nitems++;
 
 #endif
 
@@ -1857,13 +1855,13 @@ void do_sound_menu()
 	nm_set_item_text(& m[nitems++], "level music play order:");
 
 	opt_sm_mtype3_lmplayorder1 = nitems;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "continuously"; m[nitems].value = (GameCfg.CMLevelMusicPlayOrder == MUSIC_CM_PLAYORDER_CONT); m[nitems].group = 1; nitems++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems], "continuously", (GameCfg.CMLevelMusicPlayOrder == MUSIC_CM_PLAYORDER_CONT), 1); nitems++;
 
 	opt_sm_mtype3_lmplayorder2 = nitems;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "one track per level"; m[nitems].value = (GameCfg.CMLevelMusicPlayOrder == MUSIC_CM_PLAYORDER_LEVEL); m[nitems].group = 1; nitems++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems], "one track per level", (GameCfg.CMLevelMusicPlayOrder == MUSIC_CM_PLAYORDER_LEVEL), 1); nitems++;
 
 	opt_sm_mtype3_lmplayorder3 = nitems;
-	m[nitems].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[nitems].text = "random"; m[nitems].value = (GameCfg.CMLevelMusicPlayOrder == MUSIC_CM_PLAYORDER_RAND); m[nitems].group = 1; nitems++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[nitems], "random", (GameCfg.CMLevelMusicPlayOrder == MUSIC_CM_PLAYORDER_RAND), 1); nitems++;
 
 	nm_set_item_text(& m[nitems++], "");
 
diff --git a/similar/main/net_udp.c b/similar/main/net_udp.c
index 6bd159229..fab1783ec 100644
--- a/similar/main/net_udp.c
+++ b/similar/main/net_udp.c
@@ -3305,32 +3305,32 @@ int net_udp_setup_game()
 	nm_set_item_text(& m[optnum], TXT_OPTIONS); optnum++;
 
 	opt.mode = optnum;
-	m[optnum].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[optnum].text = TXT_ANARCHY; m[optnum].value=(Netgame.gamemode == NETGAME_ANARCHY); m[optnum].group=0; opt.anarchy=optnum; optnum++;
-	m[optnum].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[optnum].text = TXT_TEAM_ANARCHY; m[optnum].value=(Netgame.gamemode == NETGAME_TEAM_ANARCHY); m[optnum].group=0; opt.team_anarchy=optnum; optnum++;
-	m[optnum].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[optnum].text = TXT_ANARCHY_W_ROBOTS; m[optnum].value=(Netgame.gamemode == NETGAME_ROBOT_ANARCHY); m[optnum].group=0; opt.robot_anarchy=optnum; optnum++;
-	m[optnum].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[optnum].text = TXT_COOPERATIVE; m[optnum].value=(Netgame.gamemode == NETGAME_COOPERATIVE); m[optnum].group=0; opt.coop=optnum; optnum++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[optnum], TXT_ANARCHY,(Netgame.gamemode == NETGAME_ANARCHY),0); opt.anarchy=optnum; optnum++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[optnum], TXT_TEAM_ANARCHY,(Netgame.gamemode == NETGAME_TEAM_ANARCHY),0); opt.team_anarchy=optnum; optnum++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[optnum], TXT_ANARCHY_W_ROBOTS,(Netgame.gamemode == NETGAME_ROBOT_ANARCHY),0); opt.robot_anarchy=optnum; optnum++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[optnum], TXT_COOPERATIVE,(Netgame.gamemode == NETGAME_COOPERATIVE),0); opt.coop=optnum; optnum++;
 #if defined(DXX_BUILD_DESCENT_II)
-	m[optnum].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[optnum].text = "Capture the flag"; m[optnum].value=(Netgame.gamemode == NETGAME_CAPTURE_FLAG); m[optnum].group=0; opt.capture=optnum; optnum++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[optnum], "Capture the flag",(Netgame.gamemode == NETGAME_CAPTURE_FLAG),0); opt.capture=optnum; optnum++;
 
 	if (HoardEquipped())
 	{
-		m[optnum].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[optnum].text = "Hoard"; m[optnum].value=(Netgame.gamemode == NETGAME_HOARD); m[optnum].group=0; opt.hoard=optnum; optnum++;
-		m[optnum].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[optnum].text = "Team Hoard"; m[optnum].value=(Netgame.gamemode == NETGAME_TEAM_HOARD); m[optnum].group=0; opt.team_hoard=optnum; optnum++;
+		nm_set_item_radio(&m[optnum], "Hoard",(Netgame.gamemode == NETGAME_HOARD),0); opt.hoard=optnum; optnum++;
+		nm_set_item_radio(&m[optnum], "Team Hoard",(Netgame.gamemode == NETGAME_TEAM_HOARD),0); opt.team_hoard=optnum; optnum++;
 	}
 	else
 	{
 		opt.hoard = opt.team_hoard = 0; // NOTE: Make sure if you use these, use them in connection with HoardEquipped() only!
 	}
 #endif
-	m[optnum].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[optnum].text = "Bounty"; m[optnum].value = ( Netgame.gamemode & NETGAME_BOUNTY ); m[optnum].group = 0; opt.mode_end=opt.bounty=optnum; optnum++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[optnum], "Bounty", ( Netgame.gamemode & NETGAME_BOUNTY ), 0); opt.mode_end=opt.bounty=optnum; optnum++;
 
 	nm_set_item_text(& m[optnum], ""); optnum++;
 
-	m[optnum].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[optnum].text = "Open game"; m[optnum].group=1; m[optnum].value=(!Netgame.RefusePlayers && !Netgame.game_flag.closed); optnum++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[optnum], "Open game",(!Netgame.RefusePlayers && !Netgame.game_flag.closed),1); optnum++;
 	opt.closed = optnum;
-	m[optnum].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[optnum].text = TXT_CLOSED_GAME; m[optnum].group=1; m[optnum].value=Netgame.game_flag.closed; optnum++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[optnum], TXT_CLOSED_GAME,Netgame.game_flag.closed,1); optnum++;
 	opt.refuse = optnum;
-	m[optnum].type = NM_TYPE_RADIO; m[optnum].text = "Restricted Game              "; m[optnum].group=1; m[optnum].value=Netgame.RefusePlayers; optnum++;
+	nm_set_item_radio(&m[optnum], "Restricted Game              ",Netgame.RefusePlayers,1); optnum++;
 
 	opt.maxnet = optnum;
 	sprintf( srmaxnet, "Maximum players: %d", Netgame.max_numplayers);