Multiplayer
Local and online multiplayer setup — connect multiple controllers and play together
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
Pair controllers — Connect 2-4 Bluetooth controllers via Settings → Bluetooth
Launch a multiplayer game
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
On-screen controls are always Player 1. To play local multiplayer, at least Player 2 needs a physical controller.
Supported Player Counts
Player support depends on the system and the specific game. Here are the maximum players per system:
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
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.
Recommended Controller Setups
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
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
Online Multiplayer
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.
How to Access
Launch a game using a RetroArch-based core
Open the pause menu
Select RetroArch Settings
Navigate to Netplay settings
Configure host/client settings
Online Play Options
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
Controllers & Controls — Controller setup and pairing
Supported Controllers — Compatible controllers list
Apple TV Guide — Best platform for local multiplayer
Need help? Ask on Discord.
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