View source for NES Four Score and Satellite

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{short description|Video game console multiplayer peripherals}}
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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;<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September 1989 |title=Up to Four Players with NES Satellite |magazine=[[Computer Entertainer]] |page=12 |volume=8 |issue=6}}</ref> they are interchangeable in their compatibility with supported games.<ref name="Overview - NPSG 19">{{Cite magazine |date=1990 |title=Get With It! Accessorize! |magazine=[[Nintendo Power Strategy Guide]] |page=6 |issue=19 |publisher=[[Nintendo of America]]}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Overview - NPSG 19" /><ref name="Choice - NYT">{{cite news | last=Brooks | first=Andree | title=Picking Out a Home Video Game System | work=[[The New York Times]] | page=1-48 | date=May 4, 1991 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/04/news/picking-out-a-home-video-game-system.html | access-date=December 24, 2015}}</ref> 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 battery|C batteries]] and must have a [[Line-of-sight propagation|line of sight]] to the receiver.<ref name="Satellite manual">{{cite book |title=NES Satellite Instruction Booklet |date=1989 |publisher=Nintendo of America |page=2 |chapter=Instruction Manual}}</ref> Both devices have four controller ports and two "Turbo" switches to simulate rapid pressing of the A and B buttons.<ref name="Satellite manual" /><ref name="Four Score manual">{{cite book |title=NES Four Score Instruction Booklet |date=1990 |publisher=Nintendo of America |page=2 |chapter=Instruction Booklet}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Satellite manual" /><ref name="Four Score manual" /> 

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 (video game)|Anticipation]]''); such games do not support the multitaps' individual controller feature as a result.<ref>{{Harvnb|Scullion|2019|page=23}}</ref><ref name="NES Satellite - NP" /> Both devices were shown at the 1990 Winter [[Consumer Electronics Show]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 1990 |title=New Games & Licensees Keep NES On Top! |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |last=Harris |first=Steve |page=52 |issue=9 |publisher=Sendai Publications}}</ref>

Nintendo initially revealed the NES Satellite, designed by [[Rare Coin-It]],<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September 1990 |title=Nintendo Expands Horizons |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |last=White |first=David |page=50 |issue=3 |publisher=Sendai Publications}}</ref> to journalists in June 1989;<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 1989 |title=Nintendo Showcases New Games, Accessories |magazine=Computer Entertainer |page=9 |volume=8 |issue=3}}</ref> it was previewed in the September–October 1989 issue of ''[[Nintendo Power]]''<ref name="NES Satellite - NP">{{Cite magazine |date=September–October 1989 |title=NES Satellite |magazine=Nintendo Power |page=28 |publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref> before releasing in North America in December 1989 at an [[MSRP]] of {{US$|39.95|link=yes}}<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Product Introductions Launch Nintendo Into New Decade |date=January 6, 1990 |publisher=Nintendo of America |location=Las Vegas}}</ref><ref name="Release date - CE">{{Cite magazine |date=January 1990 |title=Availability Update |magazine=Computer Entertainer |page=22 |volume=8 |issue=10}}</ref> and was also featured in the NES Sports Set console bundle, which retailed for $150.<ref name="Choice - NYT" /> The adapter was released in Sweden in February 1991 for {{SEK|525|link=yes}}.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 1991 |title=NES Satellite |magazine=[[Nintendo-Magasinet]] |page=7 |issue=1 |publisher=Atlantic Förlags |issn=1101-5209}}</ref> The NES Four Score was released in North America in March 1990 for {{US$|24.95}}.<ref name="Release date - CE" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 1990 |title=Nintendo and Licensees show huge number of new games |magazine=Computer Entertainer |page=11 |volume=8 |issue=10}}</ref>

==Games ==
These licensed games are compatible with the NES Four Score for more than two concurrent controllers:{{efn|Game compatibility with the NES Four Score extends to the NES Satellite since they are interchangeable with each other.<ref name="Overview - NPSG 19" />}}
{{div col | colwidth=30em}}
* ''[[Bomberman II]]'' (up to three players)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barbato |first1=Steven |title=Bomberman II |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/bomberman-ii/ |website=[[Hardcore Gaming 101]] |access-date=December 25, 2024 |date=November 13, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Letters - Total 16">{{Cite magazine |date=April 1993 |title=Letters! |magazine=Total! |last=Jarratt |first=Steve |page=26 |issue=16 |publisher=Future Publishing}}</ref>
* ''[[Championship Bowling]]''<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=1990 |title=Championship Bowling |magazine=Nintendo Power Strategy Guide |page=73 |issue=19 |publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 1990 |title=More bowling from Romstar |magazine=[[Computer Entertainer]] |page=17 |volume=8 |issue=10}}</ref>
* ''[[Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat]]''<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September 1992 |title=Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |last=Sinfield |first=George |page=100 |issue=40 |last2=Noel |first2=Rob |publisher=[[Nintendo of America]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=August 1992 |title=Pro Review: Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat |magazine=GamePro |author=Otter Matic |volume=4 |issue=8 |page=32 |publisher=IDG Communications |issn=1042-8658}}</ref>
* ''[[Gauntlet II]]''<ref name="Letters - Total 16" />
* ''[[Greg Norman's Golf Power]]''<ref>{{Harvnb|Scullion|2019|page=87}}</ref>
* ''[[Harlem Globetrotters (video game)|Harlem Globetrotters]]''<ref>{{cite book |title=Harlem Globetrotters Instruction Booklet |date=1990 |publisher=[[GameTek]] |page=6 |chapter=Getting Started}}</ref>
* ''[[Kings of the Beach]]''<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=April 1990 |title=Kings of the Beach |magazine=[[VideoGames & Computer Entertainment]] |last=Bieniek |first=Chris |page=34 |publisher=[[LFP, Inc.]]}}</ref>
* ''[[Magic Johnson's Fast Break]]''<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 1990 |title=Magic Johnson’s Fast Break |magazine=VideoGames & Computer Entertainment |last=Ratcliff |first=Matthew J. W. |page=30 |publisher=LFP, Inc.}}</ref>
* ''[[Monster Truck Rally (video game)|Monster Truck Rally]]''<ref>{{cite book |title=Monster Truck Rally Instruction Manual |date=1990 |publisher=[[INTV]] |page=2 |chapter=Part 1: Monster Menu – Game Options}}</ref>
* ''[[M.U.L.E.]]''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Edwards |first1=Benj |title=Retro Scan: Mindscape NES Games |url=https://www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/1205/retro-scan-mindscape-nes-games |website=Vintage Computing and Gaming |access-date=December 26, 2024 |date=August 25, 2016}}</ref>
* ''[[NES Play Action Football]]''<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September–October 1990 |title=NES Play Action Football |magazine=Nintendo Power |page=28 |issue=16 |publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref>
* ''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street (video game)|A Nightmare on Elm Street]]''<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=April 1990 |title=ProView: A Nightmare on Elm Street |magazine=[[GamePro]] |author=Brother Buzz |page=30 |publisher=[[IDG Communications]] |issn=1042-8658}}</ref>
* ''[[Nintendo World Cup]]''<ref name="Letters - Total 16" /><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1271&tab=review |title=Nintendo World Cup Review|publisher=[[allgame]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114214057/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1271&tab=review|archive-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref> 
* ''[[Rackets & Rivals]]''<ref>{{cite book |title=Konami Games Guide |date=1993 |publisher=[[Konami of Europe|Konami Deutschland]] |page=122 |language=de |chapter=Rackets & Rivals}}</ref>
* ''[[R.C. Pro-Am II]]''<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=March 1993 |title=RC Pro-Am 2 Review |magazine=[[Nintendo Magazine System (UK)|Nintendo Magazine System]] |page=72 |issue=6 |publisher=[[EMAP]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 1993 |title=NES Reviews: RC Pro-Am II |magazine=[[Total!]] |last=Dyer |first=Andy |page=56 |issue=17 |publisher=[[Future Publishing]]}}</ref>
* ''[[Roundball: 2 on 2 Challenge]]''<ref name="Letters - Total 16" /><ref>{{cite book |title=Roundball: 2-on-2 Challenge Instruction Booklet |date=1992 |publisher=[[Mindscape (company)|Mindscape]] |page=6 |chapter=Game Options and Choices}}</ref>
* ''[[Smash TV]]'' (two players with two controllers each)<ref name="Letters - Total 16" /><ref>{{cite book |title=Smash TV Game Pak Instructions |date=1990 |publisher=[[Acclaim Entertainment]] |page=2 |chapter=Ready Camera One! 10 Seconds to Air!}}</ref>
* ''[[Spot: The Video Game]]''<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=July–August 1990 |title=Spot |magazine=Nintendo Power |page=75 |publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref>
* ''[[Ivan 'Ironman' Stewart's Super Off Road|Super Off Road]]''<ref name="Letters - Total 16" />
* ''[[Super Jeopardy! (video game)|Super Jeopardy!]]''<ref>{{cite book |title=Super Jeopardy! Instruction Booklet |date=1990 |publisher=GameTek |page=4 |chapter=How to Use the Controller}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Scullion|2019|page=178}}</ref>
* ''[[U.S. Championship V'Ball|Super Spike V'Ball]]''<ref name="Letters - Total 16" />
* ''[[Swords and Serpents]]''<ref name="Letters - Total 16" />
* ''[[Top Players' Tennis]]''<ref name="Letters - Total 16" />
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These [[Homebrew_(video_games)#NES / Famicom|homebrew]] games are also compatible:
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*''[[Justice Duel]]''
*''[[Micro Mages]]''
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These cancelled games were planned to support the devices:
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*''[[Hit the Ice]]''<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 1993 |title=Hit the Ice |magazine=Nintendo Power |page=90 |issue=49 |publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref>
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==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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bivens |first1=Danny |last2=Kaluszka |first2=Aaron |title=Nintendo's Expansion Ports |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/27664/nintendos-expansion-ports |website=Nintendo World Report |access-date=January 1, 2025 |date=October 26, 2011}}</ref> Some titles (such as ''[[Nekketsu Kakutō Densetsu]]'' and ''[[Super Dodge Ball (NES video game)|Nekketsu Kōkō Dodgeball Bu]]'') require separate controllers to connect to it,<ref>{{cite book |title=Nekketsu Kakutō Densetsu Instructions |date=1992 |publisher=Technos Japan |page=5 |language=ja |chapter=Game Mode Selection}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Nekketsu Kōkō Dodgeball Bu Instruction Manual |date=1988 |publisher=Technos Japan |page=9 |language=ja |chapter=About Game Modes}}</ref> while others (such as ''[[Downtown Nekketsu Kōshinkyoku: Soreyuke Daiundōkai]]'' and ''[[Wit's]]'') require the {{nihongo foot|Four Players Adapter|フォープレイヤーズアダプタ|Fō Pureiyāzu Adaputā|lead=yes}}, a multitap manufactured by {{Interlanguage link|Hori (company)|ja|ホリ (ゲーム周辺機器メーカー)|lt=Hori Electric}}.<ref>{{cite book |title=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 |date=1990 |publisher=Technos Japan |page=15 |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/clv/manuals/ja/pdf/CLV-P-HACLJ.pdf |language=ja |chapter=勝ち抜き格闘大会 |via=Nintendo}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Wit's Operating Instructions |date=1990 |publisher=Athena |page=5 |language=ja |chapter=Battle Mode}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist | 30em}}

{{cite book |last1=Scullion |first1=Chris |title=The NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System |date=2019 |publisher=[[White Owl (books)|White Owl]] |location=Havertown |isbn=9781526737793}}

==See also==
*[[Multitap]]
*[[List of Nintendo Entertainment System accessories]]

{{Nintendo Entertainment System}}
{{Nintendo hardware|NES}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nes Four Score}}
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System accessories]]
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1990]]
[[de:NES Four Score]]