Editing Metroid Database

{{Website-infobox
|image=[[File:Metroid Database 10 2011.png|250px|Metroid Database's current layout]]
|caption=MDb's current layout
|created=October 16, 1996
|founder=TJ Rappel
|link=http://metroid-database.com/
|button=[[File:MetroidDatabaseButton.gif|Metroid Database's button]]
}}
The '''Metroid Database''' (abbreviated '''MDb''') is a ''[[Metroid (series)|Metroid]]'' fan site dedicated to the franchise's current news and oldest history. Metroid Database is among the largest and quite possibly the oldest ''Metroid'' fan sites, appearing two years following ''[[Super Metroid|Super Metroid's]]'' release. The site contains in-depth information on the series and non-game features concerning ''Metroid''. MDb is affiliated with various other ''Metroid''-based websites, including [[Metroid Recon]], [[Metroid 2002]], [[Metroid Headquarters]], [[Wikitroid]], [[Shinesparkers]], [[Metroid Metal]], and various other single-project ''Metroid'' sites.

==History==
MDb was founded October 16, 1996 by TJ Rappel after six months of ''Metroid'' research. For the first five years of MDb, TJ alone manned and handled the website; it wasn't until the 2002 ''Metroid'' revival that TJ sought help from new staff. 2002 also marked the renewal for MDb.<ref name="about">[http://www.metroid-database.com/about.php Metroid Database's about page]</ref>

The earliest years of the site generally focused around the rumored game that never came about, ''[[Metroid 64]]''. ''Metroid 64'' was a ''Metroid'' game to be released for the Nintendo 64, however it was never produced though it was highly wanted by American fans. TJ generally released as many news pieces regarding the rumored game until its lack of existence was revealed.

Initially, because of the ''Metroid'' drought from ''[[Super Metroid]]'' to ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'' and ''[[Metroid Prime (game)|Prime]]'', MDb focused simply on news segments. As ''Metroid Prime'' was slowly revealed, MDb became much more active and began getting heavier with information. As true for other parts of the ''Metroid'' fandom, the 2002 revival gave MDb momentum and a drive to grow in community size and in functions and features. The site's focus had finally turned to reviewing current games rather than awaiting games that may or may not even come. MDb had become more of a fan site than a simple news site.

As the website reached a decennial anniversary, its "webmonster" TJ had grown out of the ''Metroid'' series. TJ began seeing updating MDb as a job rather than a hobby and chose to instead leave it in the hands of the community's trusted administration team, Team MDb.<ref>[http://www.metroid-database.com/news-post.php?id=176 TJ Rappel steps down as MDb's lead editor]</ref> TJ remained around the site, but took a much less active role.

Around the time the [[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption|third ''Prime'' game]] had been released, MDb grew rapidly and extremely more active. Updates became more and more frequent and the site was able to grab interviews and features such as translated works not easily obtainable. 

==Team MDb==
{| style="{{round|20px}} border:2px solid #{{mw color light}}; background: #{{mw color}}" cellpadding=3 cellspacing=3
! Alias
! Position(s)
! Status
|-
| style="border:1px solid #{{mw color light}}; background: #{{mw color dark}}" | CapCom {{small|(Captain Commando)}}<ref name="about" />
| style="border:1px solid #{{mw color light}}; background: #{{mw color dark}}" | Fan Submission Administrator, Music Archivist, Forum Administrator
| style="border:1px solid #{{mw color light}}; background: #{{mw color dark}}" | Active
|-
| style="border:1px solid #{{mw color light}}; background: #{{mw color dark}}" | Infinity's End<ref name="about" />
| style="border:1px solid #{{mw color light}}; background: #{{mw color dark}}" | Graphic Artist, Contributing Editor, Forum Administrator
| style="border:1px solid #{{mw color light}}; background: #{{mw color dark}}" | Active
|-
| style="border:1px solid #{{mw color light}}; background: #{{mw color dark}}" | Jesse D<ref name="about" />
| style="border:1px solid #{{mw color light}}; background: #{{mw color dark}}" | Programmer, Contributing Editor, Forum Administrator
| style="border:1px solid #{{mw color light}}; background: #{{mw color dark}}" | Active
|-
| style="border:1px solid #{{mw color light}}; background: #{{mw color dark}}" | Aurora Unit<ref name="about" />
| style="border:1px solid #{{mw color light}}; background: #{{mw color dark}}" | Contributing Editor, Moderator
| style="border:1px solid #{{mw color light}}; background: #{{mw color dark}}" | Active
|-
| style="border:1px solid #{{mw color light}}; background: #{{mw color dark}}" | Rondus18<ref name="about" />
| style="border:1px solid #{{mw color light}}; background: #{{mw color dark}}" | Web Designer
| style="border:1px solid #{{mw color light}}; background: #{{mw color dark}}" | Active
|-
| style="border:1px solid #{{mw color light}}; background: #{{mw color dark}}; {{roundbl}}" | TJ<ref name="about" />
| style="border:1px solid #{{mw color light}}; background: #{{mw color dark}}" | Founder
| style="border:1px solid #{{mw color light}}; background: #{{mw color dark}}; {{roundbr}}" | Retired
|}

[[File:Metroid Fusion Official Players Guide using MDb Image.jpg|thumb|left|MDb's image on [[Metroid Fusion|''Fusion's'']] official Players Guide]]

==Trivia==
*[[Nintendo|Nintendo's]] official ''Metroid Fusion'' Players Guide used an image originating from Metroid Database. Likely, the editors of the Players Guide did not notice MDb's watermark placed on the corner of the image.
*Though difficult to confirm, the Metroid Database is likely the oldest ''Metroid'' site on the web. It was even created two years before [[Metroid.com]] was registered as a website outside [[Nintendo|Nintendo's]] domain.

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==Galllery==
<Gallery>
File:Metroid Database 7 2011.png|Metroid Database's past layout
</Gallery>
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