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NostalgiaDB

nostalgialab.org

Free plan WebAPI
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Spec score 7.6 #7 of 14 in Game Databases

What it is

NostalgiaDB is a free metadata database for retro game releases spanning 1977–2005. Its archive covers titles, platforms, release dates, ratings, cover art, and descriptions across 45 gaming platforms. Natural-language search helps locate games, while a GraphQL API provides access to releases, ROMs, systems, reviews, and media; API queries require a key and are limited to six levels of depth. Free SQLite database archives can be downloaded with a free registered account, and their presigned URLs remain valid for 15 minutes. Registered members can use the browser-based Play portal to run their own locally stored ROM files in a client-side emulator sandbox. Play requires a Chromium-based browser such as Chrome, Edge, Brave, or Opera. The portal says game files are read from the user’s device and are not uploaded or transmitted to Nostalgia Lab servers. Centralized sign-in supports Google, Microsoft, and Discord. Nostalgia Lab describes the platform as a non-profit preservation project funded by voluntary donations and serving researchers, historians, developers, and enthusiasts. It says it does not sell user data, serve targeted ads, or store payment information.

Spec sheet

Purpose
NostalgiaDB is a metadata database for retro game releases spanning 1977–2005, with titles, platforms, release dates, ratings, cover art, and descriptions.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nostalgialab.org
API
The GraphQL API provides access to releases, ROMs, systems, reviews, and media, and requires an API key for queries.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.nostalgialab.org
Privacy
The privacy policy says Nostalgia Lab does not sell user data, serve targeted ads, or store payment information.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nostalgialab.org
Support
The documentation directs users to Discord for chat, support, and bug reports, and Reddit for discussion and news.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.nostalgialab.org
Account integrations
Centralized sign-in supports Google, Microsoft, and Discord OAuth.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.nostalgialab.org
Analytics and errors
The privacy policy says the platform uses PostHog for aggregated usage analytics and Bugsink for technical error reporting.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nostalgialab.org
Browser requirement
Play requires a Chromium-based browser such as Chrome, Edge, Brave, or Opera.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.nostalgialab.org
Database downloads
Free SQLite database archives are available for 45 gaming platforms, with a free login required to download them.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nostalgialab.org
Intended audience
The organization describes its archive as serving researchers, historians, developers, and enthusiasts.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nostalgialab.org
Local file handling
The Play portal says game files are read from a folder on the user's device and are not uploaded or transmitted to Nostalgia Lab servers.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nostalgialab.org
Notable limits
The API limits query depth to six levels, and presigned database download URLs are valid for 15 minutes.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.nostalgialab.org
Organization
Nostalgia Lab describes itself as a free, non-profit retro game preservation platform funded by voluntary donations.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.nostalgialab.org
Play
The browser-based Play portal lets registered members run their own locally stored ROM files in a client-side emulator sandbox.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nostalgialab.org
Search
The search engine accepts natural language queries to find games across the archive.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.nostalgialab.org

Plans and prices

Free access Free Free platform access; Play and archive downloads require a free registered account; API requires an API key Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.nostalgialab.org

Every NostalgiaDB plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Archive spans 45 gaming platforms.
  • Search accepts natural-language queries.
  • GraphQL API covers releases, ROMs, systems, reviews, and media.
  • Free SQLite archives are available.
  • Local game files are not uploaded by Play.

Limits

  • API queries require a key and stop at six levels.
  • Archive downloads require a registered account.
  • Play requires a Chromium-based browser.
  • Download URLs expire after 15 minutes.

Who it suits

NostalgiaDB suits researchers, historians, developers, and enthusiasts working with retro game release metadata. Developers can use the API or SQLite archives, while registered members can run their own local ROM files in Play.

Verdict

NostalgiaDB combines searchable release metadata with API and SQLite access, plus a portal for locally stored ROMs. Account requirements, API depth, and Play’s browser requirement are worth checking against your intended use.

Where Specifiction places it

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