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Third-party game controller companies, like 8BitDo, have raised the bar in producing quality gaming peripherals. These controllers have enhancements like extra mappable buttons that require additional apps to assign specific commands to create combos. Some controllers, such as the 8BitDo Ultimate 2.4 G wireless controller, need a Windows PC app to connect to your peripheral. If you have a Mac, you won’t be able to create macros for the back buttons, which would be a problem for a casual player.
This is where the Manba One V2 controller comes in. With its internal 2-inch LCD screen, you can map any button, including the four extra back buttons, without using an app. Does it work? Let’s find out!
What’s in the box?
You will find the following items:
- Manba One Controller
- Charging Station
- Wireless Receiver
- Interchangeable Joystics
- USB-C to USB-A Cable
- Screen Protector for the LCD screen
- Instruction Manual
The Manba One is a multi-platform controller (PC, iOS, Android, Switch, and Steam Deck) available in two distinct colors: black and white. The black version looks fantastic. This is an Xbox-style controller with an ABXY button placement. It is very comfortable to use and feels nice in my hands. On the sides, an LCD light strip adds to the controller’s striking visuals. The controller includes a removable magnetized faceplate that you can interchange with a clear, transparent option.
On the other hand, the white version looks spectacular. Both have the same features, but the white one includes a transparent faceplate that shows off some of the internal elements, like the controller’s vibration modules. Visually, this is a top-notch controller.
Now, let’s move on to the main feature of the Manba One controller: the LCD screen. This screen is located where the Home, + Start, and — Back buttons typically appear on a standard controller. On the Manba One, these buttons are arranged in a slim row beneath the D-pad and the right joystick.
You can see the Pairing screen when you turn on the Manba One controller. You can connect the receiver dongle to a PC and Steam Deck USB-A port. The PC or Steam Deck will pair automatically with the controller. To access the Manba One’s settings, press the Home button for three seconds. This will allow you to map the back buttons (marked as M1, M2, M3, and M4), map and activate turbo functions to the front buttons (ABXY), set the trigger buttons sensitivity, set joystick curve and dead zones, and vibration feedback.
The User Interface helps change the controller’s screen brightness, LCD Colors, and lighting modes. The last thing you can select is the controller’s pairing mode, which can be from PC/Steam Deck, Android, iOS, or Nintendo Switch mode. The LCD screen menu is easy to navigate, and you can quickly map the controller’s functions.
The Controller features Hall effect joysticks and trigger buttons. This is an excellent feature because this controller has less chance of developing joystick drift, which affects many mechanical joysticks in the long run. This is a sign that this controller will have longevity in its excellent use. You can be confident this controller should be problem-free and bring you countless hours of video game enjoyment. As a bonus, the Manba One Controller brings two extra removable joysticks. These joysticks are longer, which helps in racing games or games requiring extra precision. These are easy to take out. Just pull on the stick and replace it!
Another high point of this controller is the feel of its front buttons and D-pad. The ABXY buttons are mechanical instead of membrane input; you can feel the difference when using the controller. These have a satisfying input when gaming. I also liked the D-pad button. You can feel it clicking, and honestly, I love this feel. It doesn’t feel mushy, and I think it works well with retro or Metroidvania games.
Now, if we flip the controller and examine it from the back, you will find the back buttons mentioned earlier. These buttons can be easily mapped using the settings on the LCD screen. The top buttons, M1 and M3, feature a textured surface, which helps distinguish them from the bottom row buttons, M2 and M4. You can access these with your middle fingers reasonably quickly, and they provide a satisfying click. At the top of the controller’s back, two switches adjust the travel distance for the left and right triggers. This allows you to use the triggers in analog mode for games that require this type of input, or you can set them as a short digital input for games that don’t need such a long travel distance, like First Person Shooters.
As part of the package, the controller does include a charging dock. This is a great plus, and it also looks great as a display when you’re not saving the universe. The dock consists of a USB-C port to connect the included cable to either a PC or a surge protector that has a USB-A port. This dock has a space to place the USB receiver. The only downside is that this space is just that. You can’t connect the receiver to the dock and then connect it to your PC/Steam Deck. This is a feature of the 8BitDo Ultimate 2.4G Controller, allowing the whole dock to be connected to a single USB port.
Is this the perfect controller? No, it isn’t. While it’s a great controller, depending on your perspective, it has a few drawbacks. The first drawback is the placement of the Home and Function buttons. Since this controller has a 2-inch LCD screen, the Home button is positioned in a single row below the D-pad and the right joystick. It does take some time to get used to this arrangement, but it was the only design option available to Manba while creating this controller.
A second drawback is that this controller includes an On/Off switch on the backside. It feels weird to have one.
Overall, I’m impressed that I can map and adjust the functions of the Manba One Controller without using a computer app. Everything I need to customize this controller is on the accessible LCD screen, including mapping, turbo functions, trigger, joystick, and vibration settings in a very easy-to-use interface.
The Manba One Controller is available at Amazon.
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