Genki Manta Pro Controller Launches on Kickstarter

Genki has launched the Manta, its first game controller, through Kickstarter. The pro controller combines a 2.79-inch color touchscreen, TMR joysticks, adjustable Hall effect triggers, and up to an 8K wired polling rate in one controller built for PC, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and mobile gaming.

The screen runs Genki’s MantaOS and lets gamers change profiles, remap buttons, adjust stick response and dead zones, change trigger behavior, and control vibration without opening a separate app.

Genki Manta controller packs in pro-level controls

The Manta uses TMR joysticks and Maglev HD rumble, plus six extra mappable buttons. Two rear paddles can also be removed or swapped depending on how a gamer wants the controller set up. Genki includes both a traditional D-pad and a broader Satellite Dish design, giving gamers two thumb shapes without changing the mechanism underneath.

Genki calls its ABXY buttons Pulse Buttons. Unlike regular on-or-off face buttons, they track how far each button travels, so gamers can tune when it activates and resets. Genki says an input can register before the button reaches the bottom of its travel.

Maglev HD rumble uses a motor in each grip aimed toward the palms. Genki says the haptics can create clean pulses, knocks, sustained vibration, and even audible effects from the controller shell.

Why Manta has my attention

Manta has me intrigued because Genki is treating the controller itself like the place where the settings should live. Most pro controllers add extra controls but still send gamers to a phone app, PC app, or a confusing set of button holds. Manta puts device pairing, button tuning, dashboards, and macros on its own screen.

• Less menu hunting: the screen can show the connection type, battery, polling rate, and current button map while the controller is in hand.
• More control over the feel: stick tension, response curves, dead zones, button actuation, trigger behavior, gyro aim, and haptics can be adjusted on the controller.
• Useful beyond games: keyboard and mouse mode can handle a PC prompt, basic navigation, or media controls without grabbing another device.

More ways to tune the controller

• Stick tension adjusts without tools from about 30gf to 80gf, so each stick can have a different feel.
• Up to eight profiles can be saved on the controller, each with its own dashboard, button map, and tuning.
• The D-pad is going through Genki’s jokingly named “Contra test” and “Hadoukenable” checks for fast directional inputs.
• The Macro Action Timeline records buttons, stick paths, trigger pressure, and pauses on separate tracks. Genki says actions can be moved in steps as fine as two milliseconds.

A 2,600 mAh battery powers the controller. Weight is listed at about 280 to 290 grams.

Kickstarter pricing starts at $189

The Genki Manta Kickstarter campaign has the full reward and campaign details. Only one retro-style finish with colored face buttons has been announced so far.

Credit: Kickstarter, GenkiThings.com