Genki is no stranger to video game accessories, but the company is venturing into the tightly contested space of controllers with a device aimed at gamers who enjoy fine-tuning their hardware–and having an LCD screen to help with customization. Genki’s new Manta controller has an unusual design, but it clearly has a ton of fans, as its Kickstarter campaign is doing some big numbers. While the company aimed to secure $100,000 in pledges, the crowdfunding push has already reached $371,000 at the time of writing this post.
The big draw to the Manta is the 2.9-inch LCD screen–which is positioned at the bottom of the controller–but it’s also packed with an absurd amount of tech that you won’t find in other controllers. Genki says the display will allow you to change profiles, inspect input mapping, test inputs, and confirm connections, just to start. While you’re playing a game, you can also check the connection, polling rate, and battery details, or make adjustments on the fly. The early-bird special for the controller on Kickstarter is $189, and after it launches, it’ll retail for $279. It’ll be compatible with PC, Switch, and Switch 2.
The controller also includes “Tristage triggers” (a fancy term for adjusting trigger travel distance), adjustable analog sticks with drift-resistant tunneling magnetoresistance, maglev haptics that use two independently driven linear magnetic ram motors designed to drive feedback directly into your palms, and “Pulse Buttons” that can sense travel without needing to register electrical contact. The wireless controller comes equipped with a 2,600mAh battery, and there’s even a dedicated button to switch it into a keyboard-and-mouse mode.
All of this hardware makes for a chunky design, but Genki says it has shaped the Manta’s ergonomics to make it comfortable to use. MantaOS is powered by a Raspberry Pi RP2350 microcontroller, and players can store profiles, tuning, connections, macros, and custom apps inside the controller, giving it the potential to be an all-in-one device for multiple genres of games. If you’re interested in checking it out, Genki will be demoing the controller at its booths at Gamescom, PAX West, and the Tokyo Game Show this year.
Genki isn’t the only company looking to shake up the controller space that’s dominated by the likes of Xbox, PlayStation, and 8BitDo. Valve recently launched the new Steam Controller, and for $100, it’s a rock-solid option.
