IGDB MCP Server

Access the IGDB (Internet Game Database) API through Model Context Protocol (MCP)

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What is the IGDB MCP server?

Access the IGDB (Internet Game Database) API through Model Context Protocol (MCP). Exposed over MCP by the igdb mcp server, that capability becomes something an assistant can invoke while it works, not something you go and do afterwards.

What it actually does

The IGDB MCP Server provides seamless access to the Internet Game Database (IGDB) through the Model Context Protocol. IGDB is a comprehensive database containing information about video games, including:

  • Full IGDB API Access — Search games, get detailed information, find trending titles
  • Smart Caching — OAuth tokens are cached to minimize authentication overhead
  • Flexible Queries — Use simple searches or advanced Apicalypse query language
  • Pre-built Prompts — Common queries ready to use
  • Type-Safe — Built with Pydantic for robust data validation

Its toolset

Everything the assistant can do here goes through one of these:

  • search_games — Search for games by name
  • get_game_details — Get comprehensive game information
  • get_most_anticipated_games — Find upcoming games by hype
  • custom_query — Execute Apicalypse queries
  • Tools — The Tools tool exposed by this server
  • Resources — The Resources tool exposed by this server

Adding it to your client

Installation goes through your MCP client rather than a global install: point it at @smithery/cli on npm and it is fetched when the client starts. The copy-paste blocks for Claude Desktop, Claude Code and Cursor are further down this page.

Configuration

You will need 2 environment variables: IGDB_CLIENT_ID, IGDB_CLIENT_SECRET. The server will not start without them, which is usually why the tools fail to appear on a first run. Keep credentials in your client's env block or a secrets manager rather than in a file you might commit.

When to reach for it

Among the database access options, the useful question is rarely "what can it do" but "what does it cost you to run" — permissions, credentials, and how much of your context its toolset consumes. IGDB's toolset — search_games, get_game_details, get_most_anticipated_games and 3 more — is a fair guide to whether it matches your workflow.

This entry was verified against IGDB's own documentation before publication; SyncDev keeps the directory reviewed rather than auto-generated.

Caveats

  • It runs with your machine's permissions. That is convenient and also the reason to think about what you point it at before you approve a tool call.
  • Missing credentials fail quietly in some clients — if no tools show up, check the environment block first.
  • MCP clients confirm each tool call by default. Leave that on until you have watched what the igdb mcp server does with a few real requests.

Available tools

ToolWhat it does
search_gamesSearch for games by name
get_game_detailsGet comprehensive game information
get_most_anticipated_gamesFind upcoming games by hype
custom_queryExecute Apicalypse queries
ToolsThe Tools tool exposed by this server.
ResourcesThe Resources tool exposed by this server.

How to install the IGDB MCP server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github-com-bielacki-igdb": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@smithery/cli"],
      "env": {
        "IGDB_CLIENT_ID": "your-value",
        "IGDB_CLIENT_SECRET": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Add to claude_desktop_config.json, then restart Claude Desktop.

Configuration

VariableDescriptionRequired
IGDB_CLIENT_IDConfiguration value read at startup.Optional
IGDB_CLIENT_SECRETCredential the server authenticates with.Yes

Example prompts to try

  • Use IGDB to search games.
  • Use IGDB to get game details.
  • Use IGDB to get most anticipated games.

Frequently asked questions

It connects IGDB to MCP-compatible AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor, exposing 6 tools (search_games, get_game_details, get_most_anticipated_games, and more) that the assistant can call on your behalf. Instead of copying data back and forth by hand, the assistant works with IGDB directly.