GENKI Manta Controller Hides an RP2350 Computer and 2.79-Inch Display Inside a Gamepad

GENKI reveals the Manta at Tokyo Game Show 2026, an ambitious controller packing an RP2350 microcontroller, 2.79-inch IPS display, TMR analogue sticks and homebrew support.

GENKI's Manta may look like another premium modern controller, but underneath its controls sits enough programmable hardware to make it interesting to homebrew and retro enthusiasts. Demonstrated at Tokyo Game Show 2026, the Kickstarter-backed controller contains an RP2350 microcontroller and a 2.79-inch 428x142 IPS display positioned between its grips. The screen handles profiles, input testing and controller tuning without requiring a PC, but GENKI's plans go considerably further. Its proposed Manta Lab platform is designed to accept additional applications, including user-created software, and developers say users will even be able to create games that run directly on the controller. That naturally raises the inevitable question of how long it will be before somebody makes Doom run on it. The controller itself is unusually ambitious. It features adjustable TMR analogue sticks, analogue-sensitive A/B/X/Y face buttons capable of detecting how deeply they are pressed, Hall-effect triggers, additional shoulder buttons and rear controls. Wired polling can reach 8000Hz, with 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth LE also supported. Planned compatibility covers Switch, Switch 2, Windows, SteamOS, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV and Vision Pro. Manta is not being marketed primarily as a retro machine, but a programmable controller containing its own screen and microcomputer creates some fascinating possibilities for homebrew developers.