⭐ Retro ROM Database — Complete Preservation Archive Guide

🗄️ Comprehensive Database of Classic Game ROM Metadata

A structured archive for retro gaming preservation, cataloging, and research

🧭 Navigation Architecture

📚 Multi-axis documentation layout

╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║       RETRO ROM DATABASE — DOCUMENT MAP          ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║                                                  ║
║  ╔═══════════╗  ╔═══════════╗  ╔═══════════╗   ║
║  ║  AXIS 1   ║  ║  AXIS 2   ║  ║  AXIS 3   ║   ║
║  ║ CONCEPT   ║  ║  ACCESS   ║  ║  DEVELOP  ║   ║
║  ╚═══════════╝  ╚═══════════╝  ╚═══════════╝   ║
║        │              │              │          ║
║  ┌─────▼─────┐  ┌─────▼─────┐  ┌─────▼─────┐  ║
║  │ Overview  │  │ Download  │  │ API       │  ║
║  │ Features  │  │ Setup     │  │ Schema    │  ║
║  │ Structure │  │ Query     │  │ Contrib   │  ║
║  └───────────┘  └───────────┘  └───────────┘  ║
║                                                  ║
║  ╔═══════════╗  ╔═══════════╗                  ║
║  ║  AXIS 4   ║  ║  AXIS 5   ║                  ║
║  ║  LEGAL    ║  ║  SUPPORT  ║                  ║
║  ╚═══════════╝  ╚═══════════╝                  ║
║        │              │                          ║
║  ┌─────▼─────┐  ┌─────▼─────┐                  ║
║  │ Guidelines│  │ Troubleshoot│                ║
║  │ Ethics    │  │ FAQ         │                ║
║  │ Compliance│  │ Resources   │                ║
║  └───────────┘  └───────────┘                  ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

💡 Overview

The Retro ROM Database is a comprehensive, community-driven catalog of metadata for classic video game ROMs spanning five decades of gaming history. It is NOT a ROM hosting service — instead, it provides verified hashes, catalog numbers, region info, and technical metadata that collectors, preservationists, and researchers use to identify, organize, and verify their own legal backups.

Think of it as a library catalog, not a library — you get the reference data, not the books themselves.

What's Included

Data Type	Description
🏷️ Title Metadata	Name, region, revision, publisher
🔐 Hashes	CRC32, MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256
📅 Release Info	Date, region, reprint history
🎨 Box Art	Cover scans, cart labels
📖 Manuals	Scanned documentation
🎯 Compatibility	Emulator support notes
🧩 ROM Status	Good, Bad, Unknown
📊 Filenames	No-Intro, Redump standards

⭐ Key Features

Feature	Description
📚 500,000+ Entries	Massive catalog
🔐 Verified Hashes	Confirmed data integrity
🌍 Multi-Region	US, EU, JP, KR, CN, BR
🎯 No-Intro Standard	Industry-standard naming
🔄 Redump Certified	Disc-based verification
🔍 Full-Text Search	Instant lookup
🎨 Box Art Scans	High-resolution images
📖 Manual Archive	PDF scans
🌐 Multi-Platform	Web, desktop, API
📊 Regular Updates	Weekly catalog sync
🔌 Full REST API	Developer-friendly
📤 Export Options	CSV, JSON, XML

🗄️ Database Structure

Platform Coverage

Era	Consoles	Entries
🕹️ 1970s	Atari 2600, Odyssey 2	12,400
🎮 1980s	NES, Master System, GB	45,600
🎯 1990s	SNES, Genesis, PS1, N64	89,200
💿 2000s	PS2, GC, Dreamcast, PSP	156,800
🎬 2010s	PS3, Wii U, 3DS, Switch	178,000
🖥️ Computers	C64, Amiga, ZX, MSX	22,000
🕹️ Arcade	MAME, FBNeo sets	8,900
TOTAL	150+ platforms	512,900

Metadata Schema

{
  "id": "nes-super-mario-bros-001",
  "title": "Super Mario Bros.",
  "platform": "Nintendo Entertainment System",
  "region": "USA",
  "revision": "1.0",
  "publisher": "Nintendo",
  "developer": "Nintendo R&D4",
  "releaseDate": "1985-10-18",
  "genre": ["Platformer", "Action"],
  "hashes": {
    "crc32": "3337EC46",
    "md5": "811b027eaf99c2def7b933c5208636de",
    "sha1": "ea343f4e445a9050d4b4fbac2c77d0693b1d0922",
    "sha256": "9a1c9c5cf8a1c5b4e4de1f4d9e1e..."
  },
  "files": {
    "size": 40960,
    "filename": "Super Mario Bros. (USA).nes"
  },
  "images": {
    "boxart": "url",
    "cart": "url",
    "screenshot": "url"
  },
  "compatibility": {
    "mesen": "perfect",
    "fceux": "perfect",
    "nestopia": "perfect"
  }
}

🔧 System Requirements

Web Access

✅ Browser: Chrome 90+, Firefox 88+, Edge 90+, Safari 14+
✅ JavaScript: Enabled
✅ RAM: 2 GB
✅ Screen: 1280×720
✅ Internet: Required
✅ Ad-blocker: Optional

Local Installation — Minimum

✅ OS: Windows 10, macOS 11+, Ubuntu 20.04+
✅ CPU: Dual-core 2.0 GHz
✅ RAM: 4 GB
✅ Storage: 50 GB (full database)
✅ Node.js: 18+ (for API server)
✅ Python: 3.9+ (for scripts)
✅ Database: PostgreSQL 14+ or SQLite
✅ Internet: For initial sync

Local Installation — Recommended

⭐ OS: Windows 11 / macOS 13+ / Ubuntu 22.04+
⭐ CPU: Quad-core 2.5 GHz+
⭐ RAM: 16 GB
⭐ Storage: 500 GB NVMe SSD
⭐ Node.js: 20 LTS
⭐ Python: 3.11+
⭐ Database: PostgreSQL 15+
⭐ Network: 100 Mbps

📥 Download

🎯 Get the Official Database

Click below to access the archive portal:

Community • Open Source • Updated Weekly

Distribution Options

Package	Contents	Size
📦 Web Access	Online browser	0 MB
📦 Metadata Only	JSON + CSV	250 MB
📦 Full Archive	Metadata + images	45 GB
📦 API Server	Self-hosted	500 MB
📦 DAT Files	No-Intro + Redump	180 MB
📥 Total downloads	All packages	98,000

🔍 Verification

Hash Verification

sha256sum retro-rom-database.zip
certutil -hashfile retro-rom-database.zip SHA256

Signature Check

gpg --verify retro-rom-database.sig retro-rom-database.zip

Data Integrity

# Verify DAT file hashes
romdb verify --dat No-Intro.dat

Security Analysis

Platform	Purpose
🦠 VirusTotal	Multi-engine scan
🔐 Snyk	Dependency audit
🕵️ Trivy	Container scan
📊 SonarQube	Code quality

⚖️ Legal Notice: This database contains metadata only — no ROM files. Hashes are provided for verification of your own legal backups. We do not distribute copyrighted content.

🛠️ Setup Workflow

Stage 1 — Choose Your Access Method

Method	Best For
🌐 Web Browser	Quick lookups
💻 Desktop App	Regular users
📦 DAT Files	Emulator integration
🔌 API	Application development
🗄️ Self-Hosted	Full control

Stage 2 — Web Access (Instant)

Open the provided URL
Use the search bar
Filter by platform, region, genre
View metadata details

Stage 3 — Download DAT Files

For No-Intro verification:

# Download latest DAT
wget https://db.example/dats/No-Intro_Latest.dat

# Verify integrity
romdb verify No-Intro_Latest.dat

Stage 4 — Integrate with Emulators

Emulator	Integration
🎮 RetroArch	Playlist scanner
🎮 LaunchBox	Metadata import
🎮 EmulationStation	gamelist.xml
🎮 Batocera	Built-in scanner

Stage 5 — Self-Host the API

git clone https://github.com/retro-rom-database/api.git
cd api
npm install
cp .env.example .env
npm run migrate
npm start

Stage 6 — Configure Local Database

Edit config.json:

{
  "database": {
    "type": "postgresql",
    "host": "localhost",
    "port": 5432,
    "name": "romdb"
  },
  "sync": {
    "autoUpdate": true,
    "schedule": "weekly",
    "source": "official"
  },
  "api": {
    "port": 3000,
    "rateLimit": 1000,
    "cors": true
  },
  "cache": {
    "enabled": true,
    "ttl": 3600
  }
}

Stage 7 — Initial Sync

npm run sync:full

This downloads the complete database (may take several hours).

Stage 8 — Verify Installation

curl http://localhost:3000/api/stats

Expected:

{
  "totalEntries": 512900,
  "platforms": 150,
  "lastUpdate": "2025-01-15T00:00:00Z"
}

🔍 Querying the Database

Web Interface

Filter	Options
🎮 Platform	NES, SNES, PS1...
🌍 Region	USA, EU, JP, KR, CN
📅 Year	1972–2024
🎯 Genre	Action, RPG, Sports
🏢 Publisher	Nintendo, Sega, Sony
🔍 Search	Title, hash, filename

REST API

# Search by title
curl "http://localhost:3000/api/search?q=mario"

# Lookup by hash
curl "http://localhost:3000/api/hash/3337EC46"

# Get platform list
curl "http://localhost:3000/api/platforms"

# Get entry details
curl "http://localhost:3000/api/entry/nes-super-mario-bros-001"

SQL Queries

-- Count entries per platform
SELECT platform, COUNT(*) 
FROM roms 
GROUP BY platform 
ORDER BY COUNT(*) DESC;

-- Find all RPGs from 1995
SELECT title, publisher 
FROM roms 
WHERE genre LIKE '%RPG%' 
  AND release_year = 1995;

-- Search by partial hash
SELECT title, crc32 
FROM roms 
WHERE crc32 LIKE '3337%';

DAT File Usage

# Verify your ROM collection
romdb verify --dat No-Intro.dat --folder ~/ROMs/

# Find missing files
romdb missing --dat No-Intro.dat --folder ~/ROMs/

# Generate rename script
romdb rename --dat No-Intro.dat --folder ~/ROMs/ --dry-run

📊 Data Standards

Naming Conventions

The database follows No-Intro and Redump standards:

Format	Example
🎮 No-Intro	`Super Mario Bros. (USA) (Rev 1).nes`
💿 Redump	`Final Fantasy VII (USA) (Disc 1).bin`
🎯 GoodTools	`Super Mario Bros (U) [!].nes`
🕹️ TOSEC	`Super Mario Bros v1.0 (1985)(Nintendo).nes`

ROM Status Tags

Tag	Meaning
✅ Verified	Matches known good dump
⚠️ Bad Dump	Known bad, avoid
❌ Missing	Not yet dumped
🔒 Encrypted	Still encrypted
🔄 Undumped	No known dump exists

🧪 Verification

Check	Method	Expected
✅ Web loads	Browser	UI visible
✅ Search works	Query	Results
✅ API responds	curl	JSON
✅ Database synced	`stats`	Full count
✅ DAT files valid	`verify`	No errors
✅ Emulator works	RetroArch	Games listed
✅ Hash lookup works	Test hash	Match
✅ Export works	Save CSV	File created

🛠️ Troubleshooting

Problem	Cause	Solution
❌ Web won't load	Network	Check connection
❌ Search returns nothing	Typo	Check spelling
❌ API 404	Wrong endpoint	Check docs
❌ DB sync fails	No space	Free disk
❌ Slow queries	No indexes	Rebuild indexes
❌ DAT files corrupt	Download	Redownload
❌ Emulator won't scan	Wrong path	Fix folder
❌ Hash mismatch	Bad ROM	Verify with other source
❌ Export timeout	Large query	Narrow filters
❌ Cache errors	Stale	Clear cache

Reset Database

npm run db:reset
npm run sync:full

Log Locations

Windows:  %APPDATA%\RetroRomDB\logs\
macOS:    ~/Library/Logs/RetroRomDB/
Linux:    ~/.local/share/retro-rom-db/logs/

📋 API Reference

Endpoint	Method	Purpose
`/api/search`	GET	Full-text search
`/api/entry/:id`	GET	Entry details
`/api/hash/:hash`	GET	Lookup by hash
`/api/platforms`	GET	List platforms
`/api/regions`	GET	List regions
`/api/genres`	GET	List genres
`/api/export`	POST	Bulk export
`/api/stats`	GET	Database stats
`/api/health`	GET	Service check
`/api/random`	GET	Random entry

Example Response

{
  "success": true,
  "count": 42,
  "results": [
    {
      "id": "snes-super-metroid-001",
      "title": "Super Metroid",
      "platform": "Super Nintendo",
      "region": "USA",
      "year": 1994,
      "publisher": "Nintendo",
      "crc32": "D77C88C2"
    }
  ]
}

⚖️ Legal & Ethical Guidelines

📜 Read Carefully

This database provides metadata only. It does NOT host or link to ROM files.

You may use this database to:

✅ Verify your own legally-obtained ROMs

✅ Organize your personal collection

✅ Research game preservation

✅ Build emulator frontends

✅ Study game metadata

You may NOT use this database to:

❌ Obtain ROM files (we don't provide them)

❌ Distribute copyrighted content

❌ Circumvent DRM or protection

❌ Violate platform terms of service

Ownership Rule: Only dump and use ROMs from games you physically own. Laws vary by jurisdiction — check your local regulations.

📚 Resources

Resource	Purpose
📖 No-Intro	DAT file standards
📖 Redump	Disc preservation
🎮 RetroArch	Emulator frontend
💬 Community Forum	Discussion
🎓 Emulation Wiki	Technical reference

❓ FAQ

Does this database contain ROM files? No — metadata only. It's a catalog, not a library.

Is it legal? The database itself is legal — it's just metadata.

How accurate is it? Hashes are verified against No-Intro and Redump standards.

How often is it updated? Weekly syncs from contributing sources.

Can I contribute? Yes — submit new entries or corrections via GitHub.

Does it work with RetroArch? Yes — DAT files integrate directly.

What about disc-based games? Full Redump verification for CD/DVD/Blu-ray.

Can I use the API commercially? Check the license — usually free for personal use.

How big is the full database? About 45 GB with images, 250 MB metadata only.

Is there a mobile app? The web interface is mobile-friendly.

📜 Version History

Version	Date	Highlights
2025.1.0	Jan 2025	API v2, 500K+ entries
2024.10.0	Oct 2024	Redump sync
2024.6.0	Jun 2024	No-Intro v3
2024.2.0	Feb 2024	Initial release

🌟 Found This Guide Helpful?

⭐ Star this repository if it helped! ⭐

Made with 💜 for the preservation community

Name		Name	Last commit message	Last commit date
.gitignore		.gitignore
Retro Gaming Database.md		Retro Gaming Database.md
Retro ROM Collection.md		Retro ROM Collection.md
Retro ROM Library Manager.md		Retro ROM Library Manager.md
contributing.md		contributing.md
license.md		license.md
security.md		security.md

Latest commit

History

Folders and files

Repository files navigation