Genki’s new customizable controller has a big screen and adjustable buttons

Genki has unveiled the Manta, its first self-designed game controller, featuring a 2.9-inch LCD screen sandwiched between thumbsticks and face buttons. Launching via Kickstarter, the chunky peripheral emphasizes deep hardware customization, letting players physically adjust buttons and sticks to match their preferences.

Peripheral maker Genki has stepped out on its own with the Manta, its debut in-house controller after previously co-developing a gamepad alongside 8BitDo. The device sports an unusual layout: a 2.9-inch LCD display sits at the center, with thumbsticks and buttons arranged above it rather than in the conventional split-grip configuration most players expect.

The screen isn't just decorative — it serves as the hub for a comprehensive settings menu, allowing players to fine-tune the controller's behavior without a companion app. Physical customization is also a priority, with swappable or adjustable sticks and buttons designed to accommodate different hand sizes and playstyles. The Manta is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, with early backers able to secure it at a discounted preorder price.

Genki, a company better known for Nintendo Switch accessories and travel gear, is making a bold move into the competitive gamepad market with the Manta — a controller it designed entirely in-house for the first time. Previous hardware collaborations, including a well-regarded joint project with 8BitDo, gave the company experience in the space, but the Manta represents a full creative leap into original hardware.

The controller's most immediately striking feature is its layout. A 2.9-inch LCD screen occupies the center of the device, with thumbsticks and face buttons mounted above it. This stacks the control surfaces in a way that makes the Manta noticeably bulkier than mainstream rivals like the Xbox controller or PlayStation's DualSense, but Genki is betting that functionality will outweigh the size trade-off for its target audience.

That functionality centers on customization. The built-in display acts as an on-device control panel, letting players adjust sensitivity curves, button remapping, and other parameters directly on the hardware — no smartphone app or PC software required. Beyond software settings, the physical components themselves can be tailored, with adjustable or interchangeable thumbsticks and buttons catering to varying grip styles, thumb lengths, and accessibility needs.

Why it matters: The gamepad market has historically been dominated by Sony, Microsoft, and a handful of third-party brands like Razer and Scuf. Genki entering with a screen-equipped, highly customizable controller signals that there is growing consumer appetite for controllers that go beyond basic button remapping. If the Manta delivers on its promises, it could pressure established players to offer more on-device configuration tools rather than routing everything through external software.

The Manta launched today via a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, meaning it carries the standard caveats of any crowdfunded hardware — production timelines and final quality remain to be seen. Early backers can secure a unit at a lower preorder price, but buyers should weigh the novelty of the design against the inherent uncertainty of backing unshipped hardware from a company new to building controllers entirely from scratch.