Genki's Manta Controller Packs a Mountain of Features—and a Screen

Ever feel like your controller is holding you back? You tweak settings in-game, but you can't fine-tune the hardware itself. Well, Genki's new Manta controller might just be the answer—and it's packing a screen to prove it.

This isn't your average gamepad. The Manta comes with a 2.9-inch LCD screen right at the bottom, and it's not just for show. You can change profiles, inspect input mapping, test inputs, and confirm connections right on the controller. While you're in the middle of a game, you can check your connection, polling rate, and battery life, or make adjustments on the fly. It's like having a control panel built into your hands.

But the screen is just the tip of the iceberg. The Manta is loaded with tech you won't find in other controllers. There are 'Tristage triggers' that let you adjust trigger travel distance, analog sticks with drift-resistant tunneling magnetoresistance (fancy talk for no more drift), and maglev haptics that use two independently driven linear magnetic ram motors to deliver feedback straight into your palms. Plus, 'Pulse Buttons' can sense travel without needing electrical contact—so they respond faster and last longer.

Under the hood, there's a Raspberry Pi RP2350 microcontroller powering MantaOS. You can store profiles, tuning, connections, macros, and even custom apps inside the controller. That makes it a potential all-in-one device for everything from FPS to fighting games. And with a 2,600mAh battery, you won't be tethered to a charger all day. There's even a dedicated button to switch into keyboard-and-mouse mode—handy for certain PC games.

All this hardware makes for a chunky design, but Genki says they've shaped the ergonomics to keep it comfortable. It'll work with PC, Switch, and the upcoming Switch 2. The early-bird Kickstarter price is $189, and it'll retail for $279 after launch. If you want to see it in person, Genki will be demoing the Manta at Gamescom, PAX West, and Tokyo Game Show this year.

Genki's Kickstarter campaign is already crushing it—they aimed for $100,000 and have pulled in over $371,000 at the time of writing. Clearly, there's a hunger for a controller that lets you tinker. Valve's new Steam Controller is also turning heads at $100, so the competition is heating up. But the Manta's screen and customization options set it apart.

Will you be picking up the Manta, or are you sticking with your current gamepad? Let us know what you think!