NostalgiaDB vs Pokémon TCG Card Database

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.

Pokémon TCG Card Database is a free web tool for finding Pokémon Trading Card Game cards. Basic search accepts a card name or keyword, while advanced filters narrow results by card type, Energy type, rarity, evolution, tournament format, expansion, hit points, retreat cost, attack cost, weakness, resistance, or illustrator. Users can search card descriptions, including attack text and special rules. The format filter identifies the tournament format in which a card is legally playable. Card pages can show HP, attacks, weakness, resistance, retreat cost, expansion, collector number, rarity, and illustrator, with some pages linking to related cards sharing a Pokémon name. The search page lists expansions from Mega Evolution, Scarlet & Violet, Sword & Shield, Sun & Moon, XY, and Black & White, plus older series. Text that is not essential to gameplay cannot be searched. Pokémon says the separate TCG Card Dex app was removed and deactivated on September 20, 2023, while this database remains available for card searches. The service runs on the web and is free to use.