Multiple Controllers

Assigning Controllers During Netplay¶

Request Device¶

Request Device is an advanced network option used for NetPlay, that allows each RetroArch instance to request which device(s)/controller(s) to control. This, for example, enables four players from two instances of RetroArch, or for a connecting client to request the player 1 controller from the host. To make this option visible, RetroArch must have Show Advanced Settings set to ON.

Turning on Show Advanced Settings¶

Navigate to Settings
Navigate to User Interface
Toggle Show Advanced Settings to ON

Once Show Advanced Settings is on, proceed to the Network configurations in the Settings menu (NetPlay menu also has a path to Network configurations). Scroll down through Network configuration, and the advanced configuration options are now visible. Request Device # (where # is any number from 1 to 16) options will allow the computer to control any number of controllers during NetPlay.

Example Setup: Step-by-Step Guide¶

The following example of Super Bomberman 2 on the SNES will be used to demonstrate four players using two computers. The host will be controlling players 1 and 3, and the client will be controlling players 2 and 4.

On the Host¶

Configure Host's Input Devices¶

Set up Input Devices while the game is loaded:

Connect two controllers
Start SNES Super Bomberman 2 game
Set Inputs for each controller 1 and 2:
Navigate to Settings
Navigate to Inputs
Navigate to Port 1 Binds
Ensure Device Index is set to *Controller Name 1
Return to Inputs configuration menu
Navigate to Port 2 Binds
Ensure Device Index is set to *Controller Name 2
Set Device Type to MultiTap
- MultiTap is only available when SNES core is loaded. This plugs in a virtual SNES MultiTap into the SNES so more than two controllers can connect to the SNES.
* Controller Name 1 and 2 are unique to the computer and to the controllers connected to it (e.g., PS4 controller shows as "Wireless Controller #1")

Configure Host's Requested Devices¶

Set host computer's RetroArch NetPlay to request control of the running core's devices/controllers:

Navigate to Settings -or- NetPlay
Navigate to Network
Set Request Device 1 to YES
Set Request Device 3 to YES
Ensure all other Request Device # are set to NO

Host is now able to start a NetPlay game controlling controllers 1 and 3. See Getting Started Guide for more details.

Screenshot

Client¶

Configure Client's Input Devices¶

Set up Input Devices while the game is loaded:

Connect two controllers
Start SNES Super Bomberman 2 game
Set Inputs for each controller 1 and 2:
Navigate to Settings
Navigate to Inputs
Navigate to Port 1 Binds
Ensure Device Index is set to *Controller Name 1
Return to Inputs configuration menu
Navigate to Port 2 Binds
Ensure Device Index is set to *Controller Name 2

* Controller Name 1 and 2 are unique to the computer and to the controllers connected to it (e.g., PS4 controller shows as "Wireless Controller #1")

Configure Client's Requested Devices¶

Set client computer's RetroArch Netplay to request control of the running core's devices/controllers:

Navigate to Settings -or- Netplay
Navigate to Network
Set Request Device 2 to YES
Set Request Device 3 to YES
Ensure all other Request Device # are set to NO

Client is now able to join the Host in a NetPlay game controlling controllers 2 and 4. See the Getting Started Guide for more details.

Screenshot

Warning

RetroArch Network typically has all Request Device # set to NO. When all Request Device # are set to NO, this allows NetPlay to automatically set host as device/controller 1. When the client connects to the host, the client will connect to device/controller 2 for the NetPlay session. Each subsequent client that connects will continue connect to the next available device/controller. For this automatic client-to-controller assignment in a RetroArch NetPlay session to work, all Request Device # settings must be set to NO. If any connecting clients request a device, automatic assignment is disabled for everyone and all clients must request a device via the settings menu.