How to Set Up Multiple Tekko Controllers for Local Multiplayer on TEKKO One

There’s nothing quite like huddling around a retro console with friends, passing a controller back and forth as you battle through classic beat-’em-ups or race to the finish line. With the TEKKO One, local multiplayer isn’t just possible—it’s a blast. Whether you’re hosting a retro gaming party or reliving childhood couch co-op sessions, hooking up multiple controllers is the key to unlocking that shared experience.

The TEKKO One supports up to four wireless controllers via Bluetooth, making it easy to get everyone in the game. But if you’ve never paired more than one controller, the process can feel a bit unclear. In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to set up multiple Tekko Controllers, configure player assignments, and troubleshoot common hiccups. By the end, you’ll be ready to host a four-player local multiplayer session without any fuss.

What You’ll Need

Before diving into setup, make sure you have everything ready. Obviously, you’ll need a TEKKO One console (either the standard model or the upgraded version). For controllers, you’ll want at least two Tekko Controllers—they pair seamlessly thanks to dedicated Bluetooth profiles. If you plan on playing fighting games, consider a Tekko Stick for a more arcade-authentic feel, but note that it’s a single-player peripheral. For multiplayer, stick with the standard controllers.

Each Tekko Controller comes fully charged out of the box, but I recommend topping them up before your gaming session. Also, ensure your TEKKO One has the latest firmware (check Settings > System Update) to avoid pairing glitches. That’s all the gear you’ll need—no dongles or adapters required.

• TEKKO One console with Bluetooth enabled
• At least two Tekko Controllers (fully charged)
• A USB-C cable for controller charging (optional but handy)

Pairing Your First Tekko Controller

If you’ve already paired one controller before, you can skip this step. But for a fresh start, power on your TEKKO One and navigate to Settings > Bluetooth. Put your first Tekko Controller into pairing mode by holding the Home button and the Y button simultaneously for about three seconds until the LED starts flashing rapidly. The console will detect it as “Tekko Controller” in the device list—select it to pair. The LED will turn solid once connected.

This first controller will default to Player 1, so you’re already ready to test a single-player game. But for multiplayer, we need to add more. The good news: once one controller is paired, the console remembers it, so you won’t have to re-pair every session.

Adding More Controllers: Pairing Two, Three, or Four

To connect additional Tekko Controllers, repeat the pairing process for each one. Go back to Settings > Bluetooth, put the second controller in pairing mode (Home + Y), and select it from the list. The console will assign it as Player 2 automatically. Continue this for a third and fourth controller. The TEKKO One supports up to four simultaneous wireless connections, which is perfect for classic multiplayer games like Bomberman, Mario Kart clones, or beat-’em-ups like Streets of Rage.

One tip: avoid pairing controllers too close together—interference can cause delays. Keep at least a foot of distance between each controller during pairing. Once all controllers are connected, you’ll see small player icons next to each device name on the Bluetooth screen. If one doesn’t show up, power it off and on again, then re-enter pairing mode.

For larger parties, you can also connect a wired controller via USB-C for a fifth player, but the TEKKO One’s Bluetooth handles up to four wirelessly without lag issues.

• Pair each controller one at a time to avoid confusion
• Check the LED indicator: solid = connected, flashing = still pairing
• If a controller disconnects during gameplay, press the Home button briefly to reconnect

Configuring Player Assignments in Your Emulator

After pairing, you might need to assign players manually inside the emulator or game launcher. On the TEKKO One, most emulators like RetroArch handle this automatically: the first paired controller is Player 1, the second is Player 2, and so on. But some standalone emulators or arcade cores require a quick check. Open the Quick Menu (default: F1 with a keyboard, or the Select + Start combo on a controller) and look for “Controls” or “Input” settings.

In RetroArch, go to Settings > Input > Port Binds and verify that “Device Index” matches the correct controller for each port. If Player 2 is using the same controller as Player 1 on screen, you may need to swap ports or reorder the pairing sequence (unpair and re-pair in the desired order). Most modern Tekko Controllers are plug-and-play, so manual tweaking is rarely needed.

• Test player order by pressing buttons on each controller to see which player moves
• For games that don’t support four players, use the emulator’s “Multi-Tap” setting if available

Troubleshooting Common Multiplayer Setup Issues

Even with seamless pairing, you might hit a snag. The most common issue is a controller not connecting after being paired previously. Fix: delete the controller from the Bluetooth list and re-pair from scratch. Another frequent problem is input lag—often caused by low battery. Charge the Tekko Controllers fully before a long session. If one controller acts as Player 1 when you wanted it to be Player 2, simply turn off the first controller, then turn on the second one first next time.

Finally, some older retro games were designed for only two players. For those titles, you can use the TEKKO One’s “Multi-Tap” emulation feature (enabled in RetroArch settings) to simulate a four-player adapter. This allows games like Super Bomberman 3 to recognize all controllers. Test your game compatibility beforehand to avoid disappointment during a party.

• Battery low? The LED will flash slowly—recharge via USB-C
• If controllers interfere, move them farther apart or switch to wired mode via USB-C
• Use the “Bluetooth Reset” option in Settings if all four controllers won’t pair

Setting up multiple Tekko Controllers for local multiplayer on the TEKKO One is straightforward once you know the pairing process. With up to four wireless controllers ready to go, you can transform your retro gaming sessions into lively parties. Just pair each controller, adjust player assignments if needed, and you’re ready to relive the golden age of couch co-op. Grab your controllers, invite some friends, and dive into those classic multiplayer gems—the TEKKO One makes it easy to share the fun.