VGMdb Video Game Music Database

VGMdb is a comprehensive, volunteer-driven online encyclopedia dedicated to cataloging video game music, soundtracks, and the composers who create them. Founded in 2008 by a small group of enthusiasts, the project is headquartered in Virginia, USA. It serves as a central hub for musicologists, gamers, and collectors, with an index of over 50,000 albums and 10,000 composers. While not a commercial entity in the traditional sense, it generates minimal revenue through Patreon donations to cover server and hosting costs. The platform's strength lies in its highly structured and detailed database, which includes album release dates, track listings, composer credits, and high-resolution cover art scans. A key technical feature is its robust tagging system that allows users to filter music by platform (e.g., NES, PlayStation), genre (e.g., chiptune, orchestral), and franchise (e.g., Final Fantasy, The Legend of Zelda). The project runs on a custom-built PHP and MySQL framework, with a public API that allows other applications and websites to access its data. The development and moderation team, composed of about 15 dedicated volunteers, rigorously vets submissions to ensure accuracy and completeness. The site provides in-depth analysis and information on specific tracks and arrangements, often including links to original game footage or official trailers to provide context for the music.