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More and more third-party gaming accessory brands are creatinggaming controllersfor users on PC, Switch, and mobile devices with a ton of extra features. While professional players might aim for advancements such as TMR joysticks and extremely high polling rates, gamers in the market for third-party controllers are usually looking for fun featuressuch as RGB lightingand swappable joysticks.
Manba is just the latest to answer the call, though their Manba One wireless controller might be the most unique controller of this gaming generation. That’s largely thanks to the big screen on the front, something that harkens back to Dreamcast’s controller design. LCD screens have been gaining popularity lately, though mostly on things such as GPUs andgaming keyboards. Does the Manba One maximize its main screen, or is this wireless controller little more than a gimmick? Game Rant got the chance to test the controller over the past month, and the verdict is in.
Box Contents
The Manba One controller doesn’t come with much, but the charging stand is a very nice tough, especially for players with limited desk space. Surprisingly, Manba provides users with a high-quality, laminated handbook, complete with images for almost every instruction. Plus, it isn’t roadmap-sized.
Design
Ignoring the gigantic LCD screen in the center, the Manba One controller feels fairly standard in its shape, but diverges from the competition in almost every other way. The lightweight handles are immediately noticeable, thanks to the well-balanced, albeit hefty, middle section. The grip feels premium and clean from the start, with the smooth shell of the controller offering a marked departure from the average, heavily textured controller. This lack of texture isn’t for everyone, but with decent texture on the triggers, excellent contouring, and distinctive finishes for each part of the controller, most gamers will find it comfortable to hold through hours of gaming.
One odd thing about the controller is the fact that it turns on using a switch on the back. While this definitely prevents accidentally turning it on, was that such a problem for gamers? It’s far from intuitive and seemingly the response to a question no one asked. However, at the same time, it’s not very noticeable once you get used to playing with the Manba One.
Also on the back are the four programmable buttons. The four small paddles have the expected two-by-two layout, with the top two buttons being smaller and having some texture added for quick identification. These buttons are somewhat easy to reach, though the topmost right-sided button, M1, was a bit tough to reach while running in FPS and narrative games. At the same time though, in games such asGhost of TsushimaandZero Horizon Dawn, this wasn’t much of an issue, given those titles’ slow pace and need for stealth tactics.
The Manba One wireless controller isn’t only designed for a comfortable grip, but also for a stylish look. The sides of thecontroller sport RGB lighting, and the white color option comes with a transparent faceplate, showing off a silvery shell. The black version of the controller is much more sleek and unassuming, but still has the flair of the RGB sides.
Customizability
Being able tocustomize a controllercan mean different things to different brands. Manba offers a handful of expected customizable options, with its standout feature making personalization a breeze. The controller comes with extra joysticks that can be swapped out with ease, plus a swappable faceplate, although there aren’t any alternative faceplates yet.
That brings us to the main feature of the Manba One wireless controller: the LCD screen. The large LCD screen is definitely cool, and comes with a screen protector out of the box. Unfortunately, that screen protector has a sticker on it with lots of adhesive, so some may regret applying it, especially given the fact that most people will probably never break the screen. Regardless, the LCD screen on the Manba One is actually really convenient for customizing the controller.
The screen allows users to adjust the RGB settings and remap their controls on the fly, skirting the need for a dedicated app. There are tons of options and troubleshooting available, from testing triggers and buttons, to recalibrating every function. The menu is fairly easy to navigate too, though you must use the start and back buttons only, rather than the ABXY controls.
On the visual front, Manba makes the most of only a handful of options. There are five levels of brightness for the screen, ranging from what one might expect from such a small screen, to dark enough for very bright rooms or even direct sunlight.
The RGB options seem a bit lacking at first, but actually cover what most people want. There are seven colors to choose from, plus a rainbow multicolor option. With the lighting modes, Manba again bets on catering to the majority of users, only providing two options: always on, and breathing. you’re able to simply deactivate the RGB lighting too, if you prefer.
The button mapping is much better, with the process being as easy as it gets. Using the screen controls, after selecting which button you want to program, you may enter up to 20 key presses! Plus, there are four profiles available, so you can program commands for different games and then quickly switch between your button layouts.
Performance
The competitive pricing of the Manba One is a bit surprising, moreso because the controller is not very competitive overall. To be fair, the controller isn’t aiming to compete against high-end options, instead acting as a stylish option for gamers who play on bluetooth-enabled devices.
That being said, the included wireless dongle doesn’t rely on the standard 2.4gHz USB. Rather, the receiver only acts to strengthen the bluetooth connection. Additionally, there is a discrepancy between the handbook and the screen, the latter of which showed that the controller can connect to the Switch with the USB dongle. Using the dongle does make it significantly easier to connect to PCs and Switch consoles though, as it immediately connects once the receiver is plugged in and its LED light is flashing.
The large screen moving the menu buttons down does come with a slight learning curve. It manages to still be a comfortable layout, but many users will frustratingly hit the wrong button for a while before getting used to it. At the same time, when on PC, opening the screen menu also opens Microsoft’s Game Bar. This essentially makes it so that you have to double-click the controller’s home button in order to access the menu without de-synchronizing your controller and game screens.
Unfortunately, while playingTears of the Kingdom, there was some lag between inputs, particularly when holding down buttons to charge an attack or run. This long hold issue didn’t affect games likeMario Kart 8, but did make fights more challenging inZeldaandElden Ring. In general, it likely wouldn’t be a problem for users who avoid more difficult or competitive gameplay. However, basically any game where timing is important won’t be as much fun with this controller.
On the plus side, the battery life is impressive. Right out of the box, the controller lasted well over four hours, even with the RGB and LCD set to max brightness. No doubt the use of bluetooth helps lengthen the life of the 1800mah battery, but the fact remains that the controller can last a good 8-10 hours with all the bells and whistles going off. The included cord is only about three feet long, so while it isn’t a great idea to play on the Switch while charging, it’s more than possible for plenty of PC players to keep gaming even after the battery dies.
Overall Impression
The Manba One wireless controller is in its second generation, and the LCD screen is still just as eye-catching as before. However, at the end of the day, the screen is kind of annoying overall. It takes up a lot of space on the controller and has quite the learning curve. While it makes customization incredibly easy and convenient in a way that most manufacturers haven’t even attempted, you really only need to use it for a few minutes during setup or when you get a new game. Most of the time, the screen is simply in the way and doesn’t offer any way to enhance the display with elements such as GIFs.
However, the controller is made with quality materials and offers a smooth, premium feel that continues to be a bit of a rarity in the gaming market. Along with that, the controller is compatible with PC, Switch, and mobile devices, making it a fairly versatile gaming accessory. With the RGB lighting and cool, transparent option, the Manba One wireless controller is stylish enough to draw in many gamers, while the reliable hardware makes it a great choice for casual players.
Manba One
The Manba One controller features a 2-inch display that allows for monitoring and tweaking various controller settings. It comes with Hall effect joysticks and triggers that are more durable and more accurate. There is a Bluetooth receiver included in the box and the controller packs a 1800mah battery that can be charged using the charging dock.
Related Items
If the Manba One wireless controller wasn’t exactly what you wanted, here are a few alternative options that might be better suited to your gaming setup:
Wired connectivity
$45
More competitive
$200
$80
FAQ
Q: Do you have to use the wireless receiver with the Manba One?
No, but it is highly recommended to use the wireless dongle to strengthen the connection.
