# multitap

> type of video game console peripheral

**Wikidata**: [Q1537770](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1537770)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multitap)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/multitap

## Summary
A multitap is a type of video game console peripheral that functions as an accessory to expand the number of available controller ports. It allows multiple players to connect their controllers to a single console, facilitating expanded multiplayer gameplay beyond the system's standard configuration.

## Key Facts
- Classified as a subclass of video game accessories.
- The PlayStation Multitap is a specific version of this peripheral designed for the PlayStation console.
- The NES Four Score and NES Satellite are two distinct multitap accessories for the Nintendo Entertainment System.
- The J-Cart is a specialized type of game cartridge for the Sega Genesis that includes built-in multitap functionality.
- It is documented in 10 different Wikipedia language editions, including English, Japanese, German, and Spanish.
- The entity is assigned the MobyGames attribute ID 135.
- It has a Freebase identifier of /m/066ktp, which was referenced in October 2013.
- The general category for multitaps has a sitelink count of 12 across various platforms.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of a multitap?
A: A multitap is a video game accessory used to increase the number of controller ports on a console. This allows more players to participate in a game simultaneously than the console's built-in hardware would normally allow.

### Q: What are some examples of multitap hardware?
A: Notable examples include the PlayStation Multitap, the NES Four Score, and the NES Satellite. Another unique implementation is the J-Cart, which is a Sega Genesis game cartridge that functions as a multitap.

### Q: How is a multitap classified in gaming databases?
A: It is formally classified as a video game accessory and a video game console peripheral. In technical databases, it is tracked via identifiers such as MobyGames attribute ID 135 and Freebase ID /m/066ktp.

## Why It Matters
The multitap is a significant category of video game hardware that addresses the physical input limitations of gaming consoles. By serving as a peripheral expansion, it enables a single console port to accept multiple controller inputs, which is essential for games designed for more than two players. The relevance of this technology is reflected in its widespread adoption across different manufacturers and console generations. 

The variety of multitap implementations—ranging from standalone peripherals like the PlayStation Multitap to integrated solutions like the Sega Genesis J-Cart—demonstrates the different engineering approaches taken to solve the problem of limited controller ports. Its global recognition is evidenced by its documentation in ten different languages and its inclusion in major knowledge bases like Wikidata and MobyGames. For the Nintendo Entertainment System alone, multiple versions such as the NES Four Score and NES Satellite were developed to meet this need. By providing the necessary infrastructure for expanded player counts, the multitap established itself as a standard accessory class in the video game industry, bridging the gap between standard hardware and multi-user software requirements.

## Notable For
- **Integrated Media:** The J-Cart for Sega Genesis is notable for being a game cartridge that doubles as a multitap peripheral.
- **Multiple NES Variants:** The Nintendo Entertainment System featured two distinct multitap accessories: the NES Four Score and the NES Satellite.
- **Cross-Platform Standard:** The concept exists as a recognized accessory class across major systems including PlayStation, NES, and Sega Genesis.
- **Global Documentation:** The entity is significant enough to maintain a presence in 10 different language versions of Wikipedia and multiple academic/technical databases.

## Body

### Classification and Identification
The multitap is defined as a subclass of video game accessories. It is categorized as a type of video game console peripheral. In structured data, it is identified by the Freebase ID /m/066ktp and the MobyGames attribute ID 135.

### Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) Accessories
Nintendo utilized two primary multitap devices for its 8-bit console:
- **NES Four Score:** A multitap accessory with a sitelink count of 8.
- **NES Satellite:** A Nintendo Entertainment System accessory with a sitelink count of 4.

### PlayStation and Sega Implementations
Different manufacturers developed their own versions of the technology:
- **PlayStation Multitap:** A dedicated peripheral specifically for the PlayStation console, maintaining a sitelink count of 7.
- **J-Cart:** A specialized Sega Genesis cartridge that incorporates multitap hardware directly into the game's physical casing, with a sitelink count of 3.

### International Recognition
Information regarding multitaps is distributed globally across various languages. Supported languages in the knowledge base include:
- English
- Japanese
- German
- Spanish
- French
- Italian
- Korean
- Dutch
- Portuguese

## Schema Markup

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Multitap",
  "description": "A type of video game console peripheral used to expand the number of controller ports.",
  "image": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/PlayStation-Multitap-Adaptor.jpg",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1193563",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multitap"
  ],
  "additionalType": "video game accessory"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013