NostalgiaDB
NostalgiaDB: A focused, open-source catalog for researching and building with classic game data. Ranked #6 of 14 in Game Databases by our editors (8.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for open retro-game catalog and downloads.
At a glance
- Editor score8.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forOpen retro-game catalog and downloads
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- API accessYes
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on NostalgiaDB
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 game catalog. Records include titles, platforms, release dates, ratings, cover art, descriptions, and regional variants. The catalog spans 45 gaming platforms, including Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, NES, Atari 2600, 3DO, MAME, Atari 5200, and Atari 7800.
Its strongest differentiator is the combination of natural-language web search with developer-oriented data access. Users can search the catalog through the web interface, while developers can query game metadata through GraphQL or download SQLite archives. That makes NostalgiaDB suitable for research workflows, preservation projects, retro-focused applications, and local data analysis. The open-source model and free access also make it a practical starting point for projects that need classic-game metadata without a subscription tier.
The trade-off is scope. NostalgiaDB concentrates on retro platforms and does not present itself as a broad database for the full history of current gaming. Downloads and some platform features require a free account, adding a small access step for users who only want the archive files. Choose it for an open retro catalog, regional data, natural-language discovery, or reusable database exports. Consider a broader game database instead if your project depends on extensive coverage beyond classic platforms or needs access outside the web and API formats.
Your product? Our editors can test NostalgiaDB in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
NostalgiaDB pricing
NostalgiaDB fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| API access | Yes |
| Supported platforms | 45 gaming platforms, including Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, NES, Atari 2600, 3DO, MAME, Atari 5200, and Atari 7800 |
| Export formats | SQLite |
| Quest data | Not verified |
| Character data | Not verified |
| Item data | Not verified |
| Ability data | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | nostalgialab.org |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to NostalgiaDB
- MobyGamesA broad game catalog with platform records, research tools, exports, and API access.9.4
- RAWGA broad game-data API with strong free access and a $149 monthly Business tier.9.2
- IGDBFree structured game data for browsing, research, and API-powered applications.9.1
See all NostalgiaDB alternatives →
NostalgiaDB vs the competition
- NostalgiaDB vs MobyGames
- NostalgiaDB vs RAWG
- NostalgiaDB vs IGDB
- NostalgiaDB vs LaunchBox
- NostalgiaDB vs BoardGameGeek
- NostalgiaDB vs GameDNA
Compare NostalgiaDB with any tool side by side →
Used NostalgiaDB? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used NostalgiaDB for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
NostalgiaDB is listed in our Game Databases directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/nostalgiadb/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/nostalgiadb.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update