Local Multiplayer

Some retro games support local multiplayer, allowing two or more players to play together on the same screen. This applies to games that natively supported multiple controllers on the original console — not games that required a link cable or other accessories.

What you’ll need

• An Operator device connected to your computer
• A game cartridge that supports local multiplayer
• Multiple input methods (any combination of):
  • USB gamepads or controllers
  • Keyboard (one player can use keyboard while another uses a controller)

Supported games

Local multiplayer works with games that originally supported multiple controllers plugged into the same console:

• SNES® games — Many titles support 2 players

Game Boy® games are not supported for local multiplayer. All Game Boy multiplayer games required a link cable, which isn’t supported by the GB Operator.

Setting up player controls

1. Open Playback and connect your Operator
2. Go to Settings by clicking the gear icon
3. Select Controls
4. Use the Player dropdown at the top of the screen
5. Select Player 1 and assign their controller or keyboard
6. Configure buttons if needed (or use defaults)
7. Switch to Player 2 using the dropdown
8. Assign a different controller to Player 2
9. Repeat for additional players if the game supports them

Tips

• Each player needs their own device — If Player 1 is using your Xbox® controller, Player 2 needs a different controller or the keyboard
• Test before playing — Press buttons for each player to verify the correct controller is assigned
• Keyboard works — One player can use the keyboard while another uses a gamepad
• Check your game — Not all games support multiplayer. Verify your specific game has a 2-player or multi-player mode

Troubleshooting

Both players are controlling the same character

Make sure each player has a different controller assigned in Settings → Controls.

Player 2 controls aren’t working

• Verify Player 2 has a controller assigned (Settings → Controls → select Player 2 from the dropdown)
• Connect the second controller before launching the game

My game doesn’t have multiplayer

The game may not support local multiplayer. Games that required a link cable for multiplayer on the original hardware won’t work as local co-op in Playback.