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description Local and online multiplayer setup — connect multiple controllers and play together

Multiplayer

Provenance supports local multiplayer for most systems and online multiplayer for RetroArch-based cores. Grab some controllers and play together on the couch, or connect with friends online.

Local Multiplayer

How It Works

Connect multiple Bluetooth or MFi controllers and Provenance automatically assigns them to player slots. Most systems that originally supported multiplayer work in Provenance.

Setup

  1. Pair controllers — Connect 2-4 Bluetooth controllers via Settings → Bluetooth
  2. Launch a multiplayer game
  3. Assign players — From the pause menu, verify controller assignments:
    • Player 1, Player 2, Player 3, Player 4
    • Reassign if needed by selecting a controller and changing its player slot

{% hint style="info" %} On-screen controls are always Player 1. To play local multiplayer, at least Player 2 needs a physical controller. {% endhint %}

Supported Player Counts

Player support depends on the system and the specific game. Here are the maximum players per system:

System Max Players Notes
NES / Famicom 2 Most games support 2 players
SNES / Super Famicom 4-5 Up to 5 with Multitap (Bomberman, Secret of Mana)
Nintendo 64 4 Native 4-player (GoldenEye, Mario Kart 64, Smash Bros.)
Game Boy Advance 4 Link cable games via core support
Genesis / Mega Drive 4 Up to 4 with Team Player adapter
Sega Saturn 6 Up to 6 with multitap
Dreamcast 4 Native 4-player
PlayStation 4-8 Up to 8 with Multitap (varies by game)
Neo Geo 2 Most fighting games
Atari 2600 2 Most games
NES / Famicom 2 Standard
TurboGrafx-16 5 Up to 5 with Multitap

{% hint style="info" %} The actual player count for each game depends on the game itself, not just the system. A 2-player system can still have single-player-only games. {% endhint %}

Recommended Controller Setups

{% tabs %} {% tab title="Couch Co-op (2 Players)" %} iPhone/iPad:

  • Player 1: On-screen controls or clip-on controller (Backbone, Kishi)
  • Player 2: Bluetooth controller (DualSense, Xbox, 8BitDo)

Apple TV:

  • Player 1 + 2: Two Bluetooth controllers
  • Siri Remote can navigate menus but not play games {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Party Gaming (3-4 Players)" %} Apple TV (best for groups):

  • 3-4 Bluetooth controllers
  • Great for N64 (Mario Kart, Smash Bros., GoldenEye)
  • PS1 Multitap games (Bomberman, Crash Bash)

iPad (works too):

  • 3-4 Bluetooth controllers
  • Larger screen helps for split-screen games {% endtab %} {% endtabs %}

Online Multiplayer

{% hint style="warning" %} Online multiplayer is currently available through RetroArch-based cores only and requires using the native RetroArch settings interface. A native Provenance UI for online play is in development. {% endhint %}

How to Access

  1. Launch a game using a RetroArch-based core
  2. Open the pause menu
  3. Select RetroArch Settings
  4. Navigate to Netplay settings
  5. Configure host/client settings

Online Play Options

Option Description
Host Start a netplay session that others can join
Client Join an existing netplay session by IP address
Relay Server Use a relay server if direct connection fails

Requirements

  • Both players must use the same ROM (identical file, same region)
  • Both players must use the same RetroArch core
  • Stable internet connection (wired or strong WiFi recommended)
  • Low latency between players for best experience

Tips for Online Play

  • Use wired internet when possible — WiFi adds latency
  • Same ROM version — Both players must have an identical ROM file (same CRC/MD5)
  • Start fresh — Don't load save states before connecting
  • Fighting and puzzle games work best — they require less bandwidth than fast-action games

Troubleshooting

Second controller not detected
  • Verify the controller is paired in Settings → Bluetooth
  • Open the pause menu and check controller assignments
  • Try disconnecting and reconnecting the controller
  • Some controllers need a firmware update to work with iOS — check the manufacturer's app
Controller assigned to wrong player

From the pause menu, you can reassign controllers to different player slots. If controllers keep swapping, try turning on controllers in the order you want them assigned (Player 1 first, then Player 2, etc.).

Multiplayer game only shows 1 player
  • Verify the game actually supports multiplayer (not all games do)
  • Some games require selecting "2 Player" mode from the game's main menu
  • Check that the correct core is being used — some cores have better multiplayer support than others
Online netplay is laggy
  • Use a wired connection if possible
  • Choose a server closer to both players
  • Try increasing the netplay input latency frames in RetroArch settings
  • Simpler games (puzzle, turn-based) are more tolerant of latency

See Also

{% hint style="info" %} Need help? Ask on Discord. {% endhint %}