Team Player

From Sega Retro

TeamPlayer2 US 1.jpg
Team Player/Multiplayer/Sega Tap
Made for: Sega Mega Drive
Manufacturer: Sega
Type: Multiplayer adapter
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP
¥3,0003,000 HAA-2652
Sega Mega Drive
US
$29.9929.99[2] MK-1654
Sega Mega Drive
US
(Model 2)
$39.9939.99[3] MK-1647
Sega Mega Drive
EU
MK-1654-50
Sega Mega Drive
EU
(Model 2)
Sega Mega Drive
DE
DM 79.9579.95[5]
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£24.9924.99[4] MK-1654-50
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Sega Mega Drive
AS

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Team Player, known in Europe as the 4-Player Adaptor or Multiplayer (second model) and as the Sega Tap (セガタップ) in Japan, is a peripheral released by Sega for the Sega Mega Drive, allowing for up to four players to plug Mega Drive controllers into the unit for use in video games for four or more players. It is one of several solutions to combat the lack of controller ports, with the 4 Way Play and J-Cart attempting to achieve similar results.

Compatibility

Note: The titles listed below are directly compatible with the Team Player in "MULTI" mode. 4 Way Play games are also compatible with the second revision's "EXTRA" mode.

Mega Drive

Mega-CD

32X

Versions

The original model of the Team Player (MK-1654) and its international equivalents use a single connector cable, leaving an additional port on the console free for a fifth player. Alternatively, the second port could house a further Team Player, for up to 8 simultaneous players. When not in "MULTI" mode, the Team Player's switch can be used to specify which controller is mapped to the Mega Drive's first controller port, so that the player is able to switch between control pads and the Sega Mouse without detaching or connecting controllers. This original version competed directly with Electronic Arts's 4 Way Play for support, with many of that publisher's titles supporting only their adapter, while other publishers preferred Sega's device.

To resolve this split in the platform's user base, Sega released a second Team Player model (MK-1647) which features two connector cables and support for EA's previously "exclusive" games. To use the "EXTRA" mode which supports these titles, both connectors must be plugged into the Mega Drive's controller ports, while Team Player-compatible titles still need only one connector inserted, as in the original model. The improved software compatibility and the use of cables rather than connectors molded directly into the adapter put the MK-1647 at an advantage over the 4 Way Play, which required both controller ports to be the same distance apart (thus preventing it from working with the CDX or X'eye).

History

During development, the internal IO Check Program software was used to test the various inputs accepted by the peripheral.[6]

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English 4-Player Adaptor 4-Player Adaptor
English (US) Team Player Team Player
Japanese セガタップ Sega Tap

Magazine articles

Main article: Team Player/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

6ButtonArcadePadTeamPlayer US Flyer.pdf

PDF
US flyer
6ButtonArcadePadTeamPlayer US Flyer.pdf
Sega TW advert PaiYuing.jpg
TW advert
Sega TW advert PaiYuing.jpg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (ES) #24: "Abril 1994" (1994-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (US) #21: "October/November 1994" (1994-xx-xx)
also published in:
  • (US) #64: "November 1994" (1994-xx-xx)[7]
  • (US) #22: "December/January 1994/1995" (1994-xx-xx)[8]
  • (US) #23: "February/March 1995" (199x-xx-xx)[9]
  • (US) #24: "May 1995" (1995-xx-xx)[10]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Hacker (HR) #5: "03-04/1995" (1995-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Sega TR advert 1997.03.jpg
Print advert in Blue Jean (TR) #03/97: "Mart 1997" (1997-xx-xx)
Sega TR advert 1997.03.jpg

Photo gallery

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(UK)
85
[4]
Sega Mega Drive
85
Based on
1 review

Team Player

Mega Drive, JP (HAA-2652)
Segatap MD JP BoxTop.jpg
TeamPlayer JP Box Back.jpgSegatap MD JP BoxSpine.jpgTeamPlayer JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
Segatap MD JP Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US (MK-1654)
TeamPlayer1 US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, US (MK-1647)
TeamPlayer1 US Box Back MK1647.jpgNospine-small.pngTeamPlayer1 US Box Front MK1647.jpg
Cover
TeamPlayer MK-1647 MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU (MK-1654-50)

Multiplayer MD EU Box Back MK-1654-50.jpg

Mega Drive, EU (MK-1654-44)
4-Player Adaptor EU Box Back.jpg4-Player Adaptor MD EU MK-165-444 Box Spine.jpg4-Player Adaptor EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
4-Player Adaptor MD EU MK-165-444 Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, EU (MK-1647-44)
Multiplayer MD EU Box Back MK-1647-44.jpgNospine-small.pngTeamPlayer EU Box Front.JPG
Cover
Mega Drive, BR (MK-1647)
TeamPlayer MD BR Box Front.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AS

External links

References


Sega Mega Drive
Topics Technical specifications (Hardware comparison) | History | List of games | Magazine articles | Promotional material | Merchandise | Cartridges | TradeMark Security System
Hardware Japan | North America | Western Europe | Eastern Europe | South America | Asia | South Korea | Australasia | Africa
EZ Games | LaserActive | Mega Jet | Mega PC | Mega Play | Mega-Tech System | Nomad | Teradrive | Mega Drive Mini | Mega Drive Mini 2
New Mega Drive | Tianli VCD/DVD Players | "Consoles on a chip" | Licensed clones (Magic 2 | Mega Game II | Power Pegasus | Super Bitman)
Unlicensed clones
Add-ons Game Box | Power Base Converter | Mega-CD | 32X (Mega-CD 32X) | Mega Modem | Demo System DS-16
Cases Sega Genesis Nomad Carrying Case | System Carry Case
Controllers Control Pad | Six Button Control Pad | 6 Button Arcade Pad | Arcade Power Stick 6B | Konami Justifier | MK-1470
Action Chair | Activator | Arcade Power Stick | Keyboard | MegaFire | Mouse | Mega Stick | Menacer | Remote Arcade System | Ten Key Pad
Accessories 4 Way Play | Cleaning System | Control Pad Extension Cord | Genesis Speakers | HeartBeat Catalyst | Region converter cartridges | Mega Terminal | Miracle Piano Teaching System | Nomad PowerBack | NordicQuest | RF Unit (Mega Drive 2) | SCART Cable (Mega Drive 2) | Stereo Audio Video Cable | Team Player | Video Monitor Cable
Network services Sega Channel | Sega Game Toshokan | Mega Anser | Mega Net | TeleBradesco Residência | XB∀ND
Development tools ERX 308P | ERX 318P | Sprobe | SNASM68K | SNASM2 (Mega Drive) | SNASM2 (32X) | PSY-Q Development System (Mega Drive) | PSY-Q Development System (32X) | 32X CartDev | Sega Mars Development Aid System | Sega 32X Development Target
Unreleased Edge 16 | Floppy Disk Drive | Mega Play 1010 | Sega VR | Teleplay System | Video Jukebox