[2][3] 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 batteries and must have a line of sight to the receiver.
[4] Both devices have four controller ports and two "Turbo" switches to simulate rapid pressing of the A and B buttons.
[4][5] 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); such games do not support the multitaps' individual controller feature as a result.
[8] Nintendo initially revealed the NES Satellite, designed by Rare Coin-It,[9] to journalists in June 1989;[10] it was previewed in the September–October 1989 issue of Nintendo Power[7] before releasing in North America in December 1989 at an MSRP of US$39.95[11][12] and was also featured in the NES Sports Set console bundle, which retailed for $150.
The NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System.