Newest VLC defaults to 1 player at a time?

[NewToLinuxxx]

Last version of Mint included vlc player that I could click files over and over, and each would get its own player window. Newest ('quinoa' i think) version's vlc defaults to 1 player at a time, like if i'm trying to open 4 videos at once (lol) to run them simultaneously, I can't do that... i click the 2nd file, and it starts playing in the same window the 1st file was playing in.

I haven't found a work-around, i imagine there's something (or maybe go back a version of vlc?) I know this is random problem but it does matter, i imagine it's implicit why lol

[all41]

vlc/tools/prefences--choose allow (or disallow) one instance

[NewToLinuxxx]

vlc/tools/prefences--choose allow (or disallow) one instance

which menu? I'm on newest VLC, and whether i look at simple or basic tools i'm missing this

[all41]

Mine shows in the Simple Settings on the Interface Settings page under "Playlist and Instances"