RetroArch Netplay 4 players with 2 raspberry pis(2pl + 2pl)

[Kaydron]

Re: Netplay - Retroarch 4 players (2pl + 2pl)

I saw there was a previous article, but i was not able to get 2 raspberry pis to play with 4 people (2 controllers/people on each pi).

I was able to successfully get netplay to work with host as player 1 and the client as player 2.
When i initially start the game (before client connects) both of the controllers are registered to the game and work. Once the client connects the 2nd controller no longer works and host and client are setup as player 1 and player 2.

Since we can currently play together we have the same items:
-raspberry pi 4
-retropie up to date
-same game (hash match)
-and i'm assuming any others i cant think of

We are trying to play SNES Super Bomberman 2 (USA) game and i have the following settings to try to get 4 players on 2 retropies:
Navigation given in direction from the retroarch menu driver of "xmb":

-RetroArchGuy(Main Menu i guess) ==>Quick Menu ==> Controls ==> Port 1 Conrols ==> Device Type: SNES Joypad
-RetroArchGuy(Main Menu i guess) ==>Quick Menu ==> Controls ==> Port 2 Conrols ==> Device Type: MultiTap
-RetroArchGuy(Main Menu i guess) ==>Quick Menu ==> Controls ==> Port 3 Conrols ==> Device Type: SNES Joypad
-RetroArchGuy(Main Menu i guess) ==>Quick Menu ==> Controls ==> Port 4 Conrols ==> Device Type: SNES Joypad

-2Gears(options i guess) ==> Input ==> Port 1 Binds ==> Device Type: SNES Joypad && Device Index: Wireless Controller (#1)
-2Gears(options i guess) ==> Input ==> Port 2 Binds ==> Device Type: SNES Joypad && Device Index: Wireless Controller (#2)

I'm pretty sure my friend had same settings and we even tried moving Port 1,2,3,4 Binds around with no luck.

If that setup should work i can double check and verify everything is squared away. If i am supposed to be going a different route please let me know. I've been spending quite a few hours on trying to get this to work.

Thanks again for all your help.

[Kaydron]

After much looking around i found an answer. The answer is below and the reason i was having so much trouble is because my version of retroarch didn't have the options in the menu.

RetroArch.cfg has configuration for netplay "Request Device #" where # is any number from 1 to 16.

Depending on your version of retroarch (since i've seen both) the "Request Device #" will be in the retroarch menu or you might have to go to the retroarch.cfg file and edit it manually,
EDIT: To make "Request Device #" show up on the menu, you have to turn on Show Advanced Settings:
Settings --> User Interface --> Show Advanced Settings

If your version of retroarch has the menu options available they can be found under Settings ==> Network -or- Netplay ==> Network. In there you will find "Request Device #" (# = number 1 to 16) set the controls / players you wish to control in the game. The client and host have to do this.
Example:
Host wishes to be players 1 and 3
Settings => Network => Request Device 1 = on (true if manually editing retroarch.cfg)
Settings => Network => Request Device 3 = on (true if manually editing retroarch.cfg)
Settings => Inputs => Port 1 Binds => Device Index = your controller (mine is labeled "wireless controller #1")
Settings => Inputs => Port 2 Binds => Device Index = your controller (mine is labeled "wireless controller #2")

Client wishes to be players 2 and 4
Settings => Network => Request Device 2 = on (true if manually editing retroarch.cfg)
Settings => Network => Request Device 4 = on (true if manually editing retroarch.cfg)
Settings => Inputs => Port 1 Binds => Device Index = your controller (mine is labeled "wireless controller #1")
Settings => Inputs => Port 2 Binds => Device Index = your controller (mine is labeled "wireless controller #2")

Retroarch will pair the first retropad (defined by Settings => Inputs => Port 1 Binds) with the lowest numbered Request Device and fill up.

FYI if playing on the SNES ensure that Mutlitap is set for device type to enable the emulator to recognize players 3 and 4 (i set it in both places but you might only need it in one place)
RetroArchGuy(Main Menu i guess) ==>Quick Menu ==> Controls ==> Port 2 Conrols ==> Device Type: MultiTap
2Gears(options i guess) ==> Input ==> Port 2 Binds ==> Device Type: MultiTap

[Kaydron]

Instructions were added to liberatro document site:
https://docs.libretro.com/guides/netplay-multiple-controllers/