What is a Multitap?
A multitap is a device that plugs into a video game console and gives it more ports for more players to play a game at once. Popular examples are Nintendo's NES Satellite, Nintendo's NES Four Score, Hudson Soft's Super Multitap and Super Multitap 2, and many others.
I will use this page to document any findings (based on the equipment I have) that I could not find anywhere else (or all in one place) at the time hoping that this helps someone.
NES Four Score
Manufacturer: Nintendo
Introduced in: North America
Compatibility: Nintendo Entertainment System
Simultaneous Players: Up to 4
Connection: Wired
Compatibility List: | Assessing compatibility of controllers with the NES Four Score | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Controller | Picture | NES Diagnostic* | Compatibility | Notes |
| NES-004 | Picture | PASS | YES | Bundled with original (front-loading) NES console |
| NES Max | Picture | PASS | YES | Terrible controller except for games like Ice Hockey and RC Pro-Am series. |
| NES Advantage | Picture | PASS | YES | According to the NES diagnostics, the turbo potentiometers should be around 80-90% turned up (instead of turned up all the way) to get the maximum rate of fire. |
| SimpleJet 8-bit control pad | Picture | FAIL | NO | 3.5M (~11.5 feet) cord version; really nice for a living room. Solid feel, except that the d-pad can be pressed right down the middle (a bad thing). Will work fine with the original Front-loader NES and with the GamerzTek 8-bit HD but will not work with the NES Four Score. |
| GamerzTek | Picture | PASS | YES | Bundled with GamerzTek 8-bit HD Composite/HDMI clone console. Nice feel (somewhat ergonomic); d-pad is responsive. The gray controllers from the less expensive (Composite-only) GamerzTek 8-bit should work too, but I do not have them to confirm. |
* NES Diagnostic: The use of one of those yellow "Nintendo World Class Service - Joystick Test Cartridge" diagnostic cartridges. Knockoff NES controllers may not have a rounded pivot point in the inside-facing part of the directional pad (d-pad) so with these knockoff controllers it is possible to press up AND down at the same time, which should not happen during proper gameplay (can cause issues when pulling some moves in Super Mario Bros 3, for example) and will cause the diagnostic to fail (and for good reason).
Hudson Soft's Super Multitap 2
Manufacturer: Hudson Soft
Introduced in: Japan
Compatibility: Super Famicom and Super Nintendo Entertainment System (NTSC; not PAL)
Simultaneous Players: Up to 5
Connection: Wired
Compatibility List: | Assessing compatibility of controllers with the Super Multitap 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Controller | Picture | Compatibility | Notes |
| SNS-005 | Picture | YES | Bundled with original SNES console |
| SNS-102 | Picture/Article** | YES | Bundled with SNES Junior (Internals are exactly the same**, so it should work) |
| AsciiWare asciiPad | Picture | YES | Features individual turbo buttons and slow motion. |
| OldSkool SNES controller (Model OS-1928) | Front of box Back of box |
YES | Knockoff controller; Cheap construction; May also be known as Tomee (but not confirmed). Cheap alternative to real controllers if 4-5 player gaming happens rarely. |
** Article not written by me. The opinions on this external website may or may not reflect my own.