Accessory maker Genki has launched its chunky, highly customizable Manta wireless controller on Kickstarter, featuring a built-in 2.9-inch LCD screen, adjustable TMR joysticks, tristage triggers, and MantaOS for on-device tweaking starting at $189 for early backers.
After collaborating with 8BitDo on a gamepad two years ago, Genki has returned with the Manta, representing the first controller the company designed entirely from the ground up after collaborating with 8BitDo on a gamepad two years ago. The Manta is launching through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, marking the company’s ninth crowdfunded device. While hardware crowdfunding always carries some inherent risk, Genki holds an established track record for delivering products through this funding model.
The accessory is launching with several pricing tiers for backers. Early supporters can preorder the controller discounted to $189, while full retail pricing is expected to reach $279.
Hardware Design and On-Device MantaOS
The Manta stands out visually with an unorthodox physical layout that positions its thumbsticks and buttons above a prominent 2.9-inch LCD screen, giving the gamepad a substantially chunkier profile than competing controllers. Rather than relying on a separate companion smartphone application or desktop software, the controller runs its own operating system powered by a dedicated Raspberry Pi RP2350 microcontroller powered by a dedicated Raspberry Pi RP2350 microcontroller.
Running MantaOS directly on the device allows players to switch profiles, remap buttons, tune controls, edit macros, manage connections, and check diagnostics straight from the controller itself directly on the device. Users can configure multiple console, game, and user profiles, adjust haptic feedback intensity, and set up custom macros.
Advanced Joysticks and Tristage Triggers
Under the hood, the Manta features drift-resistant tunneling magnetoresistance thumbsticks that glide on a silicone ring. Players can adjust stick tension simply by twisting the stick itself without needing any tools or extra parts with no tools or stick swapping required.
The shoulder controls introduce what the company calls tristage triggers.
While many high-end controllers offer two switchable trigger modes for racing or first-person shooter titles, the Manta includes a third in-between option tailored for rapid inputs. optimized for the “fastest repeated presses.” Additionally, the face buttons are analog, allowing users to configure the exact travel distance required before a press registers.
Connectivity, Haptics, and Extra Features
For responsiveness, the gamepad supports an 8,000Hz polling rate when connected via a USB-C cable and a 1,000Hz polling rate when used wirelessly. Players can connect via Bluetooth, plug in the included 2.4GHz wireless dongle, or wire directly to a console or computer. The device is compatible with Nintendo Switch 1 and 2, PC, Mac, Android, and iOS compatible with Switch 1 & 2, PC, Mac, Android and iOS.
Other hardware additions include linear magnetic ram motors in the grips to direct haptic feedback into the hands, a 2,600mAh user-replaceable battery, a proper headphone jack, and six extra remappable buttons positioned on the back and shoulders. An Action Timeline feature lets players capture inputs via a dedicated button, edit them on a visual timeline, and replay them across the programmable buttons. Furthermore, an on-the-fly keyboard and mouse mode allows users to switch to computer navigation instantly.
Developer Ecosystem and Market Outlook
Genki is also establishing an open developer hub called Genki Forge, which provides hardware documentation, reference apps with source code, and tools for loading community creations onto the controller hardware documentation, reference apps with source, and tools for loading community creations onto the controller.
While competing brands like Anbernic have experimented with controllers featuring integrated screens, those earlier attempts often fell short in execution.
