Skip to main content

Library & Master Item Database

The Library is your gateway to browsing the master item database, exploring platforms, and discovering items to add to your collection. It combines curated data from multiple sources to provide comprehensive information about retro technology.

Library — Platforms tabLibrary — Platforms tab

Browsing the Library​

Access the Library from the main navigation (tap Browse on mobile). The Library has four tabs:

Platforms Tab​

Browse retro technology by platform:

  1. Go to Library → Platforms
  2. See platform cards showing each system with its image and item count
  3. Click a platform to see all items associated with it
  4. View platform details including manufacturer, release year, and specifications
  5. Switch between Grid and List view (compact list view shows more items at once)

Device Variants: When viewing a platform that has multiple hardware revisions (like the Apple Macintosh or Sega Genesis), a Devices tab appears showing all the different models and variants. This tab only shows for platforms with 2 or more device variants.

Games Tab​

Library — Games tab showing master game catalogueLibrary — Games tab showing master game catalogue

Search and browse the master game catalogue:

  1. Go to Library → Games
  2. Use filters to narrow results:
    • Category: Computer, Console, Handheld, Game, Accessory, Other
    • Platform: Filter by specific platform
    • Manufacturer: Filter by specific manufacturer
    • Year Range: Set a date range
    • Search: Type to search by name
  3. Click an item to see its full details

Wishlist Tab​

View and manage items you want to acquire:

  1. Go to Library → Wishlist
  2. See all items you've added to your wishlist
  3. Items show current market prices where available
  4. Tap an item to mark it as Owned — enter condition, purchase price, and acquisition date
  5. Remove items from your wishlist with one tap

History Tab​

Explore the complete history of retro technology through interactive content:

  1. Go to Library → History
  2. Browse by Platform or Manufacturer
  3. Try Random Discovery to jump to a random platform or manufacturer history
  4. See History & Learning for full details on timelines, articles, and quizzes

Master Item Details​

Each master item in the database includes:

Basic Information​

  • Name: Official product name
  • Manufacturer: Who made it
  • Category: Item type (Computer, Console, Handheld, Game, Accessory, Other)
  • Release Year: When it was released
  • Description: Summary from Wikipedia/Wikidata

Technical Specifications​

  • CPU, RAM, storage (for computers and consoles)
  • Screen specifications (for handhelds)
  • Supported media types
  • Connectivity and ports

Game-Specific Data​

For games, additional data from LaunchBox, Giant Bomb, and IGDB:

  • Developer: Who developed the game
  • Publisher: Who published it
  • Genre: Game genre(s)
  • ESRB Rating: Age rating
  • Max Players: Multiplayer support
  • Platforms: Compatible systems

Market Data​

Where available from PriceCharting:

  • Current market prices by condition (Loose, CIB, New)
  • Price history chart
  • Sales volume data

See Price Tracking for more on market pricing.

  • Wikipedia article
  • Wikidata entry
  • PriceCharting page
  • LaunchBox entry

Adding Items from the Library​

When you find an item in the Library that you own:

  1. Click Add to Collection
  2. The form pre-fills with data from the master item
  3. Add your specific details (condition, purchase price, images, etc.)
  4. Save to your collection

This is the fastest way to add items with accurate, consistent data.

Auto-Fill from Master Items​

When adding items through the normal Add Item flow, master item auto-fill is available:

  1. Start typing the item name
  2. A dropdown shows matching master items
  3. Select a match to auto-fill fields
  4. Edit any pre-filled data as needed
  5. Add your personal details and save

What Gets Auto-Filled​

  • Name and manufacturer
  • Release year
  • Category
  • Technical specifications
  • Description
  • External data links

What You Add​

  • Condition and ownership status
  • Purchase price and date
  • Storage location
  • Personal notes
  • Your photos
  • Serial number and model number

Data Sources​

The master item database aggregates data from multiple sources:

SourceData Provided
WikipediaDescriptions, history, specifications
WikidataStructured data (dates, manufacturers, identifiers)
PriceChartingMarket prices, sales data, price history
LaunchBoxGame metadata (developer, publisher, genre, ratings)
Giant BombGame descriptions and metadata
IGDBGame platform data and ratings

Data is regularly updated to keep information current.

Community Contributions​

The master item database is community-moderated:

  • Users can suggest corrections to existing items
  • New items can be submitted for review
  • Moderators verify and approve changes
  • This ensures data quality while expanding coverage

Questions?​

For questions about the Library or master item database: