Yes, I can run any tests you like, I have a boat load of controllers. But here is how it works.
Plug in say a snes, and hit the rest button. Game, and play...
now this is a diamon style button layout, so unplug it ( controller will press start and try to pause the game )
plug in another diamond style controller, say, psx
and just keep gaming, the layout is the same.
You can do that dor any controller but some layouys are a funky match. There is also an alternitive layout mode
Now if for some reason it does not find the new controller, hit reset. That forces it to redetect, but often not needed. Just make sure to wait up to 2 second before useing the swapped out controller. The 4-Play and the 4-Play Advacned work the same way.