name	retro-archive
description	Knowledge on how retro games are stored and accessed

Retro Archive

Games are stored in files appropriate to having backed them up from their original physical or digital sources.

Games are separated into folders by console, often using a shortcut or shortening of the console name (e.g., Super Nintendo Entertainment System -> snes).

IMPORTANT: When you learn something about a specific file format, add that information to a named file in /formats and link to the format information from every console whose archived data uses that format.

Scraper Databases

There are several tools online for comparing data and matching metadata up with games based on hashes, checksums, and serial numbers.

Notable Sources:

screenscraper.fr
- Has a public API
- Requires a username and password to access multiple threads at once
- Further requires an API key for beyond the simple API access
NoIntro
- DAT files can be found here
- Some consoles have multiple DAT files (regular games, and digital games and DLC are separate)
Redump (redump.info)
- Covers disc-based systems (CD, DVD, GD-ROM, Blu-ray) — see formats/Redump.md
- Formerly at redump.org — that domain is defunct; always use redump.info (same URL paths)
- DAT files downloadable directly from https://redump.info/datfile/<system>/ (no login required)
- Uses Logiqx XML format with per-track CRC32, MD5, and SHA1 checksums
- Standard for verifying BIN/CUE disc images

More Information

For information on specific consoles, see the following files:

Retro Archive

Games are stored in files appropriate to having backed them up from their original physical or digital sources.

Games are separated into folders by console, often using a shortcut or shortening of the console name (e.g., Super Nintendo Entertainment System -> snes).

Scraper Databases

There are several tools online for comparing data and matching metadata up with games based on hashes, checksums, and serial numbers.

Notable Sources:

screenscraper.fr

Has a public API
Requires a username and password to access multiple threads at once
Further requires an API key for beyond the simple API access

NoIntro

DAT files can be found here
Some consoles have multiple DAT files (regular games, and digital games and DLC are separate)

Redump (redump.info)

Covers disc-based systems (CD, DVD, GD-ROM, Blu-ray) — see formats/Redump.md
Formerly at redump.org — that domain is defunct; always use redump.info (same URL paths)
DAT files downloadable directly from https://redump.info/datfile/<system>/ (no login required)
Uses Logiqx XML format with per-track CRC32, MD5, and SHA1 checksums
Standard for verifying BIN/CUE disc images

More Information

For information on specific consoles, see the following files:

retro-archive

Retro Archive

Scraper Databases

More Information

Retro Archive

Scraper Databases

More Information