BaNaNaS

Overview

BaNaNaS is OpenTTD’s catalog for community-made graphics, sound, game modifications, AI, and scenarios. It is best for players who want to find compatible content and keep track of dependencies and versions. Its close tie to the game makes it a focused choice for OpenTTD players, while creators should consider the upload and distribution terms before contributing.

Key features

The catalog covers base graphics, base sounds and music, NewGRFs, AIs and AI libraries, game scripts and their libraries, scenarios, and heightmaps. That range gives players a single place to browse several types of OpenTTD content. Package pages show names, latest versions, upload dates, licenses, and project sites when provided, giving players useful context for choosing an item and checking how current it is.

Dependency tracking helps players understand when a package relies on other content. Version history is valuable for save games tied to older releases: BaNaNaS provides the latest content and its terms allow the OpenTTD team to retain older versions for those saves. Players can browse on the web or through the game client, but downloads are directed through OpenTTD’s built-in content downloader. That fits an in-game workflow well; anyone who specifically wants to manage downloads outside the client may prefer another repository.

Uploading has clear conditions. Contributors must be authors of the content, use a license compatible with its source material, read the terms, and sign in through GitHub. The terms grant the OpenTTD team rights to distribute uploads centrally and through the website, as well as retain older versions. Those requirements help establish who can contribute and how content can be distributed, but authors should be comfortable with those rights before uploading.

Pricing

BaNaNaS is free, with its Free plan priced at $0. The volunteer project provides content downloads through the website and OpenTTD game client. There is no free trial because no paid plan is offered. The service covers one game, so its value depends on playing OpenTTD rather than needing a multi-game mod library.

Platforms

BaNaNaS is listed as a web service, and its catalog is also available through the OpenTTD game client. The client route is the one used for content downloads, making the catalog most convenient for players who find and install additions while working within the game.

Who it's for

BaNaNaS suits OpenTTD players looking for game content across several categories, particularly those who value dependency tracking and older versions for save compatibility. It also suits eligible creators who are willing to sign in with GitHub and grant the distribution rights described in the terms. Players looking for a general repository across multiple games, or creators who are not the content authors, should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Broad OpenTTD catalog: graphics, audio, NewGRFs, AI, scripts, scenarios, and heightmaps are gathered in one service.
• Dependencies and older versions: tracking content relationships and retaining past releases can help with content management and save compatibility.
• Useful package context: version, upload date, license, and project site when provided help users assess a download.
• Client-centered downloads: using OpenTTD’s built-in downloader suits in-game installation but may not fit players seeking a direct-download workflow.
• Contributor obligations: GitHub sign-in, authorship, compatible licensing, and distribution rights limit who should upload and what they should submit.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison of repositories, see Game Mod Repositories.

Factorio Mods is the relevant alternative for Factorio players; uploading requires a licensed Factorio copy and Factorio.com account, and portal functionality requires a verified purchase. Farming Simulator ModHub is a free option for Farming Simulator content, with creator-owned content. CurseForge suits users seeking a web catalog for free Minecraft mods and modpacks, with a paid Premium Monthly plan also offered at custom pricing.

DCS User Files offers freeware downloads, with individual file terms and a 300 MB upload limit. ModWorkshop is a free option for mod sharing and downloads, with no account required to download and no artificial download throttling. OverTake Mods offers a free, ad-driven account and a €100 a year Premium yearly plan for users seeking no ads and unlimited downloads. Thunderstore covers more than 110,000 mods across 300+ games. ETS2.LT offers free downloads of all its mods and website features.

Verdict

Choose BaNaNaS if you play OpenTTD and want a free, game-focused catalog with dependency tracking and version history that can support older saves. Its strongest reason to choose it is the combination of varied content and game-client access; its clearest reason to look elsewhere is the one-game scope and client-centered download route. Creators should upload only if they meet the authorship and licensing requirements and accept the stated distribution rights.