What is VGZ File and How to Convert to MP3 Format

VGZ is a niche file format that few people outside the video gaming industry ever encounter. So, it's not surprising that the average consumer is unfamiliar with this file format. If you're one such person and recently came across some VGZ files, you must be genuinely confounded by them. Fret not, we've created this guide to help you learn everything you need to know about VGZ files, including how to open them and how to convert them into formats that you can easily open anytime you like. So, let's get started.

Part 1: What is VGZ File Format?

VGZ is a legacy music file format used by old gaming consoles like Sega Genesis and Sega Game Gear. It is an archive file format, which compresses standard video game music files that use .vgm extension. The VGZ files typically stored video game sounds and music data for older games on legacy console devices. As a proprietary file format, VGZ never found much popularity even at the height of its use. Over the years, the format has further receded into obsolescence, leading to fewer and fewer players supporting it.

Today, VGZ files are mainly sought by retro video gaming enthusiasts, and preservationists. For mainstream users, it would make better sense to convert VGZ files to other mainstream audio formats like MP3, AAC, WMA, WAV, etc. for convenience.

Part 2: How to Open and Play VGZ File on Desktop

Foobar2000 is a powerful, free audio player for desktop that can also convert audio files. However, you'll need a plugin to perform play VGZ file and convert it to MP3. Free Encoder Pack is the officially offered plugin by Foobar2000 for this purpose. Once you install Foobar2000, you can download and install the Free Encoder Pack to start the conversion process.

The process is straightforward. First, unzip the plugin package to obtain a folder named foo_input_vgm_v0.29. Next, launch Foobar2000, navigate to File > Preferences > Components, and click the Install button to install the plugin from the foo_input_vgm_v0.29 folder. Once done, click Ok, and you will be prompted to restart Foobar2000. After restarting, you can import VGZ files into the VGZ player for playback.

Part 3: 3 Easy Tools for Converting VGZ File Format to MP3

1. Foobar2000

You already know that Foobar2000 can perform VGZ to MP3 conversion easily. You can use it to convert as many files as you like, since Foobar2000 supports batch conversion. However, you'll have to install the codec for VGZ to MP3 conversion. It's not difficult to do it though. The biggest advantage of Foobar2000 is that it can also play VGZ files and not just convert them. Here's the step-by-step process for converting VGZ files to MP3 using Foobar2000 + Free Encoder Pack.

Step 1: Import VGZ Files

Launch Foobar2000 >> Drag and drop VGZ files into Foobar2000.

Step 2: Open Conversion Settings

Select all imported files by clicking 'Control + A' >> Right click on the selected files >> Choose 'Convert' >> Hit 'Quick Convert'.

Step 3: Set Conversion Settings

Choose output format as 'MP3' >> Click 'Edit' button to change the quality of the output.

Step 4: Start Converting

Click on the 'Convert' button >> Choose 'Output Folder.'

Pros

Supports VGZ playback
Batch conversion of VGZ to MP3
Free

Cons

macOS, iOS, and Android versions do not perform conversion

2. VGMTrans

VGMTrans is a powerful, free tool designed to extract, convert, and use video game music files. However, VGMTrans does not support VGZ files natively. So, you need to first extract the VGM file from your VGZ file using tools like gzip or WinRAR. Then, you can use VGMTrans to convert it to MP3. In fact, VGMTrans can be used to extract video game music from a variety of retro video games and convert them to modern formats.

Pros

Free
Easy to use
Wide compatibility for video game music formats
Fast conversion

Cons

Windows only
Performance issues with large or older files

3. VGMStream

Unlike VGMTrans, VGMStream can directly handle VGZ files and convert them into MP3 format. This is a huge advantage for VGMStream users, because it's the only tool you'll need for conversion. No plugins or decompressing tools required. This simplifies the process, especially for frequent users. More importantly, VGMStream also supports batch conversion, which is a big win.

Pros

Free and open-source
Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux
High customizability of output

Cons

Command-Line Interface
Complicated tool, especially for beginners

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FAQs about VGZ File

Q1. What is the difference between VGZ and VGM files?

A1. VGZ is an archived version of VGM files. VGZ format uses zip compression to reduce the size of VGM files, while keeping the information intact without any loss.

Q2. Can I edit VGZ files directly?

A2. Since VGZ files are compressed files, they cannot be edited directly. However, you can decompress them and extract VGM files from them, which can then be edited. That said, VGM files are not widely supported by audio editors. In fact, you'll have to find a niche tool like OpenMPT, VGMToolBox, DefleMask, etc. to edit VGM files after extracting them.

Q3. Are VGZ files safe to download and open?

A3. VGZ is not a suspicious file format. However, adding a malicious file inside the VGZ archive is possible. So, you need to exercise the same caution and due diligence when opening a file you downloaded from the internet. Make sure the source is trustworthy and that you're not downloading the files from a shady source. It goes without saying that all downloaded files must be thoroughly scanned using a suitable antivirus or anti-malware tool.

Conclusion

The VGZ file format remains an essential part of preserving classic video game music. While it requires specific tools to open and convert, VGZ files can be easily handled with the right software. However, converting them to MP3 is a surefire way to preserve their compatibility and contents. For professionals and preservationists who frequently work with a vast variety of audio file formats, HitPaw Univd is an excellent audio converter. With HitPaw Univd, users can convert any audio file to any audio format they like effortlessly. Download it and start converting your audio files today.

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