Genki Manta controller brings deep customisation to the gaming hardware market
The device, Genki’s first independently designed controller, features a 2.9-inch screen and adjustable inputs, launching on Kickstarter with early pricing at $189.
Genki has launched the Manta, its first independently designed game controller, via a new Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. The device marks a significant step for the company, which previously collaborated with 8BitDo on a gamepad two years ago. As Genki’s ninth crowdfunded device, the Manta benefits from the company’s established track record of delivering products through this channel, offering investors and backers a familiar level of reliability.
The controller is distinguished by an unorthodox design that positions the thumbsticks and buttons above a large 2.9-inch LCD screen. This screen is powered by a dedicated Raspberry Pi RP2350 microcontroller, enabling a settings interface for deep customisation. While competitors such as Anbernic already offer controllers with integrated screens, the Manta provides a more extensive range of configuration options, allowing users to tailor the hardware to specific games and personal preferences.
Key features include what Genki terms “tristage triggers,” which offer three switchable modes: standard, short travel for racing or first-person shooter games, and an intermediate option claimed to be optimised for the fastest repeated presses. The face buttons are also analog, allowing users to adjust the travel depth required for a press to be detected, thereby fine-tuning sensitivity. Additionally, the controller includes linear magnetic ram motors in the grips for haptic feedback and drift-resistant tunneling magnetoresistance thumbsticks with adjustable tension.
Further customisation options include six additional remappable buttons on the back and shoulders, as well as a dedicated button that switches the device to a keyboard and mouse mode for browser navigation. The Manta also features a 2,600mAh user-replaceable battery and connectivity options including Bluetooth, a 2.4GHz dongle for lower latency, and a USB-C cable for direct console connection.
Early backers can pre-order the controller for $189, with the full retail price expected to be $279. The launch positions the Manta as a premium option in the gaming hardware sector, appealing to users who prioritise granular control over standardised features.
The campaign underscores the growing trend of specialised hardware in the consumer technology market, where devices are increasingly designed to accommodate diverse user needs through software-driven customisation.
