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Head-to-head · Game Databases

RAWG vs NostalgiaDB

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score RAWG #2 in Game Databases 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit RAWG
NostalgiaDB #6 in Game Databases 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit NostalgiaDB

RAWG leads on 0 checks, NostalgiaDB on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreRAWG · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth

RAWG scores higher on our rubric for game databases: 9.2 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

RAWG is the better fit for rich game metadata and recommendations. NostalgiaDB is the better fit for open retro-game catalog and downloads.

  • RAWG fits best

    Rich game metadata and recommendations

  • NostalgiaDB fits best

    Open retro-game catalog and downloads

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Side by side

Feature RAWG 9.2/10 Visit ↗ NostalgiaDB 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.2
Ranking #2 in Game Databases #6 in Game Databases
Best for Rich game metadata and recommendations Open retro-game catalog and downloads
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $149/mo Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Browser extension
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features RAWG 1/5 · NostalgiaDB 1/5
API access ✓ ✓
Quest data Not checked yet Not checked yet
Character data Not checked yet Not checked yet
Item data Not checked yet Not checked yet
Ability data Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms PC, Xbox One, iOS, Nintendo DS, Linux, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Wii, Game Boy Advance, SNES, Apple II, Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit, Atari XEGS, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, Android, Nintendo DSi 45 gaming platforms, including Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, NES, Atari 2600, 3DO, MAME, Atari 5200, and Atari 7800
Export formats Not checked yet SQLite
Our review
Pros
  • Detailed metadata, ratings, media, DLC and franchise relationships
  • Recommendations plus player activity and Steam average playtime
  • Free API access for personal, hobby and non-commercial projects
  • Covers archives across 45 gaming platforms
  • Offers natural-language search and regional variant data
  • Provides GraphQL access and SQLite downloads
Cons
  • Commercial use requires the $149-per-month Business plan
  • Free projects require backlinks to RAWG
  • Enterprise features are needed for downloadable file API access
  • Focused on retro games rather than broad game coverage
  • Downloads and some features require a free account
  • Access is limited to web and API platforms
Our verdict

RAWG is a web-based video game database and discovery service for developers, publishers and product teams building game catalogs, discovery tools or recommendation experiences. Its searchable records cover descriptions, genres, release…

Read the review →

NostalgiaDB is a free, open-source database for discovering and researching classic video games. It is designed for retro gaming enthusiasts, researchers, and developers who need structured metadata rather than a general-purpose modern…

Read the review →
  1. RAWGGame Databases 9.2Free plan
  2. NostalgiaDBGame Databases 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • RAWG — where it wins

    • Detailed metadata, ratings, media, DLC and franchise relationships
    • Recommendations plus player activity and Steam average playtime
    • Free API access for personal, hobby and non-commercial projects

    Where it doesn't

    • Commercial use requires the $149-per-month Business plan
    • Free projects require backlinks to RAWG
    • Enterprise features are needed for downloadable file API access

  • NostalgiaDB — where it wins

    • Covers archives across 45 gaming platforms
    • Offers natural-language search and regional variant data
    • Provides GraphQL access and SQLite downloads

    Where it doesn't

    • Focused on retro games rather than broad game coverage
    • Downloads and some features require a free account
    • Access is limited to web and API platforms

More comparisons

All game databases comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update