> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.superjumpmagazine.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # PAX West 2026: Hands-On with the Genki Manta - URL: https://www.superjumpmagazine.com/pax-west-2026-hands-on-with-the-genki-manta/ - Published: 2026-10-07T14:00:35.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-07T14:00:34.000Z - Description: Get control of your controller - Author: Jared McCarty - Tags: PAX West, Hardware, Consoles, Genki Manta, Controllers **I wasn't really sure what to think about the Genki Manta when I first saw it grace my inbox: an opportunity to check it out on the show floor of PAX West 2026.** My initial impression was that of an Xbox Series controller with a connected Xbox Chatpad, except where the keyboard buttons would be, there was a small rectangular screen instead. Not aesthetically displeasing by any means, but a little bit bulky and ergonomically questionable. Looking deeper into the Genki Manta revealed an extremely sophisticated piece of hardware. That screen was for a lot more than displaying battery levels, and my curiosity (and skepticism) was piqued to see how Genki could deliver on the promises in their extremely successful Kickstarter. At PAX West 2026, I got my hands on a prototype version of what the Manta will become, and needless to say, impressing is an understatement. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c0/e7/c0e78dd7-e7af-4603-8ab9-09f05cab06f3/content/images/2026/10/image-3.png) Source: [KickStarter](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/humanthings/manta?ref=5xl0zj&gad%5Fsource=1&gad%5Fcampaignid=24181769261&gbraid=0AAAAACNyLY6ip6dY65pVZpLqERAdLyTr-&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz4LWBhCMARIsAFEG5MqzaMTD%5FpSljOCAA28S1e2%5FfsjQo4zuR4gK3AkZbjRYQgOSWTZGD6EaAt4PEALw%5FwcB). First and foremost, I will say this - the Manta doesn't photograph particularly well, but it sure feels great. The second I got the prototype in my hands, all my concerns about the bulk, heft, and ergonomic awkwardness were immediately forgotten. The Manta is extremely comfortable, with an Xbox Gamepad setup, contoured grips, and a whole lot of paddles and triggers. There are six triggers in total (allowing a few extra key mappings to the shoulder buttons), two removable flappy paddles, and two extra back buttons. None of these felt out of place or inoperable, and I found the Genki Manta damn comfortable to hold. Everything on the controller is customizable, from the analogue face buttons to the joystick sensitivity, which I found particularly fun to experiment with. If you twist the joystick (with more force than can be produced by playing) either left or right, you tighten/loosen the sensitivity of the stick itself, allowing you to dial in the controller's feel exactly how you want it. Despite only being a prototype, it had a very solid build quality and felt like it would last through some intense sessions. Then the engineer we were talking to showed us what the screen can do, and *oh my goodness.* I think we would have had a shorter conversation listing off what the screen couldn't do. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c0/e7/c0e78dd7-e7af-4603-8ab9-09f05cab06f3/content/images/2026/10/image-4.png) Source: KickStarter. Now, before I get into this, I may not convey exactly every detail of what the Manta is capable of. Admittedly, while I have a PS5 Pro controller and do adjust my dead zones and trigger sensitivities, this type of nth-degree customization is a little above my pay grade. I'm going to do my best to present the information as accurately as possible, but the sheer volume of customization and optimization options the Genki Manta offers you is frankly unparalleled. The one thing that the Manta crew reiterated to me multiple times throughout our interview was this: transparency. The screen in the center of the controller will be the central hub from which all customization options flow. First, you will command 12 separate controller profiles, with each profile allowing each control setup to be completely differentiated from the rest. Each of those 12 setups will allow you to completely control the dead zones, including a handy circular graph along with the S-curve to actually *show* what the dead zone change is doing, which helps me out tremendously. Second, the hub also handles the sensitivity of the analogue buttons, including (but not limited to) button depth and general layout; full layout customization, including the multiple back paddles, buttons, and extra triggers; rumble customization with rumble features more in depth than even what Switch 2's HD rumble offers; and it even allows you to personalize how charged the bits are, which I am sure will mean something to someone but is honestly where my nerdy knowledge started to get stretched a little thin. The screen shows you everything you're doing, every metric of change, and exactly how that change is being realized on the controller itself. Additionally, the screen will eventually have full keyboard support, so you can type using a letter wheel and use the controller's gyro support like a mouse (similar to PS5's DualSense controller). Is that not enough? Well, they're also potentially working with the people from OBS to integrate OBS control into the gamepad itself, minimizing the need for a multi-monitor setup for game streaming. If it pertains to video games, the Genki Manta seems to already have it or is planning one in the future. It truly is mind-boggling. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c0/e7/c0e78dd7-e7af-4603-8ab9-09f05cab06f3/content/images/2026/10/image-5.png) Source: KickStarter. We did have one issue with the Manta during our time on the show floor. I was lucky enough to be accompanied by my partner this year, and when she held the Manta, she had the same complaint she has had for every controller that isn't a Joy-Con: for her, it was just too damn big. The buttons were in a difficult place for her to reach, and the triggers and paddles were all in the wrong place for her fingers to reach. My partner does have petite hands, but this is a problem I hear from a lot of the smaller people in my life, which tends to skew toward women who also want to enjoy games. It's safe to assume that many of these controllers are only tested with men in mind, and it is a bigger problem in the industry than just what the Genki Manta represents. It's unclear if the crew engineering the Manta has considered this, or if additional sizes of the controller will be available, but if you have smaller hands, it's something to think about before sinking your hard-earned money into the Manta. The goal of the Genki Manta is clear - be an all-in-one, self-sustained controller for those of us who want access to ultimate customization in our gaming experiences. It also aims to cater to those of us who just want a solid piece of hardware we can rely on (assuming you can hold the thing). With a 9-11 hour battery life and a price tag of $199, similar to any other pro controller, the Genki Manta seems like a no-brainer for those in the market for a peripheral like this. The Manta's wildly successful Kickstarter shows that I'm not alone in that opinion, and I am extremely excited to see how the controller holds up when it releases early next year.