Manba One Controller review – “It’s got a screen!”

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  • Look at that chunky screen in the middle
  • Sleek design and tactile design
  • Very easy to connect and use on mobile devices

As a seasoned gamer who’s seen controllers come and go, the Manba One has certainly caught my attention. The integrated touch screen is a game-changer, offering a level of customization that I haven’t experienced before without needing to install additional apps or software.

What immediately catches the eye about the Manba One is its central control panel screen. While it might seem debatable whether controllers should have big screens in their center, this particular one certainly has an appealing quality to it. To be frank, it’s quite unique. This touchscreen can be navigated effortlessly through tapping or using buttons positioned at the controller’s base.

The main part of this controller, excluding the screen, is quite similar to traditional ones; it includes two joysticks, a D-Pad, X, Y, A, B buttons, along with some less familiar buttons. The Home, Settings, Start, and Back buttons are conveniently located at the bottom of the controller for easy navigation. Interestingly, the on/off switch is situated at the back of the controller, which seems slightly unconventional, and there are also a few quick buttons, as well as the triggers, on its front side.

But, what is the screen used for?! 

Like with many controllers, you are able to actually change a bunch of the settings. Instead of needing to install an app on your mobile device or PC, you can just do it all using this screen. The brightness can be increased and decreased, the buttons on the controller can be re-mapped, and you can see the battery life that is left on your controller. The remapping allows you to have three different configurations saved, as well as a Nintendo Switch specific one, by default. There can be adjustments made to the joystick, buttons, triggers and even the vibrations the device makes.

As a gamer, I can tell you that you can utilize this screen for trying out various buttons and fine-tuning your gaming gear, like adjusting your controller settings if necessary.

The look of the Manba One is pretty sleek – I like the sliver and white, looking very funturistic. You can see a bit into the controller, and the rainbow pulses happening on the side feel fun, but not super in-your-face. This can be changed in the menu, picking specific colors or modes and brightnesses, if you don’t want it to be rainbow. There is even a QR code to the User Manual, if you need it.
The Controller Itself

The controller offers a pleasant handling experience, but it does require some getting used to its distinct buttons for controlling the small screen. While using it for mobile gaming, there was minimal lag and the buttons were intuitively placed within the games I played. However, some users have mentioned experiencing slight delays with larger Nintendo Switch games.

The Manba One comes with a fun looking charging stand, that can be set up as a display to your controller, with a USB to USB-C input (USB-C into the stand). When you place it on the charger, it makes a satsifying Bing! noise to ensure you know it’s charging. My controller came charged and the battery life lasted ages, even with the color vibing away while it was just sitting on my desk between uses. It boasts up to 10 hours, and that feels true to it. The device also came with some extra thumbsticks, in case you need to replace yours, which is thoughtful. There is also a wireless USB dongle, for use on other devices.

In terms of user interface, I prefer having the ability to switch controllers directly from the controller itself, rather than requiring a separate app for the purpose. It simply provides a more seamless experience, and I haven’t observed any negative impact on my gameplay from this change.

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2024-11-15 16:48