NES Four Score and Satellite explained

The NES Four Score and NES Satellite are multitap accessories produced by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). With supported games, both peripherals allow the connection of up to four controllers to input simultaneously on the NES;[1] they are interchangeable in their compatibility with supported games.[2]

The major difference between the NES Four Score and the NES Satellite is that the former connects directly to the NES, while the latter uses infrared wireless communication instead; the latter acts as a range extender adaptor for all wired controllers, extending the usable range from around 3 feet (for a standard controller) to 15 feet.[3] The Satellite consists of two units: a small infrared receiver that plugs into the console's controller ports, and a main unit that is powered by six C batteries and must have a line of sight to the receiver.[4] Both devices have four controller ports and two "Turbo" switches to simulate rapid pressing of the A and B buttons.[5] The NES Satellite includes a switch to enable either a controller or light gun (NES Zapper) mode; the NES Four Score does not have such a switch and is incompatible with the latter peripheral as well as the Power Pad, but includes a different switch that enables either a two-controller or four-controller mode.

NES games released prior to the introduction of the multitaps required the sharing of an NES controller if they supported more than two players (such as Anticipation); such games do not support the multitaps' individual controller feature as a result. Both devices were shown at the 1990 Winter Consumer Electronics Show.[6]

Nintendo initially revealed the NES Satellite, designed by Rare Coin-It,[7] to journalists in June 1989;[8] it was previewed in the September–October 1989 issue of Nintendo Power[9] before releasing in North America in December 1989 at an MSRP of [10] [11] and was also featured in the NES Sports Set console bundle, which retailed for $150. The adapter was released in Sweden in February 1991 for .[12] The NES Four Score was released in North America in March 1990 for .[13]

Games

These licensed games are compatible with the NES Four Score for more than two concurrent controllers:

These homebrew games are also compatible:

These cancelled games were planned to support the devices:

Famicom counterparts

Since the Famicom has hardwired controllers, all games supporting more than two controllers require the use of a controller or peripheral that plugs into the console's expansion port.[36] Some titles (such as Nekketsu Kakutō Densetsu and Nekketsu Kōkō Dodgeball Bu) require separate controllers to connect to it,[37] [38] while others (such as and Wit's) require the, a multitap manufactured by .[39] [40]

References

Book: Scullion . Chris . The NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System . 2019 . . Havertown . 9781526737793.

See also

Notes and References

  1. September 1989 . Up to Four Players with NES Satellite . . 12 . 8 . 6.
  2. 1990 . Get With It! Accessorize! . . 6 . 19 . Nintendo of America.
  3. News: Brooks . Andree . Picking Out a Home Video Game System . . 1-48 . May 4, 1991 . December 24, 2015.
  4. Book: NES Satellite Instruction Booklet . 1989 . Nintendo of America . 2 . Instruction Manual.
  5. Book: NES Four Score Instruction Booklet . 1990 . Nintendo of America . 2 . Instruction Booklet.
  6. January 1990 . New Games & Licensees Keep NES On Top! . . Harris . Steve . 52 . 9 . Sendai Publications.
  7. September 1990 . Nintendo Expands Horizons . . White . David . 50 . 3 . Sendai Publications.
  8. June 1989 . Nintendo Showcases New Games, Accessories . Computer Entertainer . 9 . 8 . 3.
  9. September–October 1989 . NES Satellite . Nintendo Power . 28 . Nintendo of America.
  10. Product Introductions Launch Nintendo Into New Decade . January 6, 1990 . Nintendo of America . Las Vegas.
  11. January 1990 . Availability Update . Computer Entertainer . 22 . 8 . 10.
  12. January 1991 . NES Satellite . . 7 . 1 . Atlantic Förlags . 1101-5209.
  13. January 1990 . Nintendo and Licensees show huge number of new games . Computer Entertainer . 11 . 8 . 10.
  14. Web site: Barbato . Steven . Bomberman II . . December 25, 2024 . November 13, 2022.
  15. April 1993 . Letters! . Total! . Jarratt . Steve . 26 . 16 . Future Publishing.
  16. 1990 . Championship Bowling . Nintendo Power Strategy Guide . 73 . 19 . Nintendo of America.
  17. January 1990 . More bowling from Romstar . . 17 . 8 . 10.
  18. September 1992 . Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat . . Sinfield . George . 100 . 40 . Noel . Rob . Nintendo of America.
  19. August 1992 . Pro Review: Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat . GamePro . Otter Matic . 4 . 8 . 32 . IDG Communications . 1042-8658.
  20. Book: Harlem Globetrotters Instruction Booklet . 1990 . . 6 . Getting Started.
  21. April 1990 . Kings of the Beach . . Bieniek . Chris . 34 . LFP, Inc..
  22. January 1990 . Magic Johnson’s Fast Break . VideoGames & Computer Entertainment . Ratcliff . Matthew J. W. . 30 . LFP, Inc..
  23. Book: Monster Truck Rally Instruction Manual . 1990 . . 2 . Part 1: Monster Menu – Game Options.
  24. Web site: Edwards . Benj . Retro Scan: Mindscape NES Games . Vintage Computing and Gaming . December 26, 2024 . August 25, 2016.
  25. September–October 1990 . NES Play Action Football . Nintendo Power . 28 . 16 . Nintendo of America.
  26. April 1990 . ProView: A Nightmare on Elm Street . . Brother Buzz . 30 . . 1042-8658.
  27. Web site: Nintendo World Cup Review. allgame. https://web.archive.org/web/20141114214057/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1271&tab=review. November 14, 2014.
  28. Book: Konami Games Guide . 1993 . . 122 . de . Rackets & Rivals.
  29. March 1993 . RC Pro-Am 2 Review . . 72 . 6 . EMAP.
  30. May 1993 . NES Reviews: RC Pro-Am II . . Dyer . Andy . 56 . 17 . Future Publishing.
  31. Book: Roundball: 2-on-2 Challenge Instruction Booklet . 1992 . . 6 . Game Options and Choices.
  32. Book: Smash TV Game Pak Instructions . 1990 . . 2 . Ready Camera One! 10 Seconds to Air!.
  33. July–August 1990 . Spot . Nintendo Power . 75 . Nintendo of America.
  34. Book: Super Jeopardy! Instruction Booklet . 1990 . GameTek . 4 . How to Use the Controller.
  35. June 1993 . Hit the Ice . Nintendo Power . 90 . 49 . Nintendo of America.
  36. Web site: Bivens . Danny . Kaluszka . Aaron . Nintendo's Expansion Ports . Nintendo World Report . January 1, 2025 . October 26, 2011.
  37. Book: Nekketsu Kakutō Densetsu Instructions . 1992 . Technos Japan . 5 . ja . Game Mode Selection.
  38. Book: Nekketsu Kōkō Dodgeball Bu Instruction Manual . 1988 . Technos Japan . 9 . ja . About Game Modes.
  39. Book: ダウンタウン熱血行進曲 それゆけ大運動会: 取つ扱い説明書 . 1990 . Technos Japan . 15 . ja . 勝ち抜き格闘大会 . Nintendo.
  40. Book: Wit's Operating Instructions . 1990 . Athena . 5 . ja . Battle Mode.

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