Manba One review

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As a seasoned gamer who’s seen his fair share of controllers since the days of the original Xbox, I must say the Manba One has truly caught my eye (and hands). The 2-inch LCD screen is like having a mini command center right at my fingertips, and it’s not just for show – it offers real, functional customization that’s been missing in other controllers.

To put it simply, I must admit that I’m easily attracted to novel features, and the 2-inch LCD screen on the Manba One controller, which replaces a traditional trackpad, immediately caught my eye. This central screen provides touch capabilities for customizing various settings, such as modifying back button profiles, adjusting in-game controls, controlling brightness levels, and even tweaking the sensitivity of the control sticks. Moreover, it displays the battery life at all times, preventing any sudden surprises during critical boss fights.

Upon opening the box, I was struck by the impressive size and weight of the Manba One, reminiscent of the hefty Xbox 360 controllers from days gone by. In my large hands, it felt exceptionally comfortable to hold. Although the triggers had a slight clicky sensation due to their “hall effect” design, they still provided a satisfying feel. The back buttons were perfectly placed for my fingers, but I must caution that those with smaller hands, such as younger gamers, might find the experience less seamless.

Also included is a sleek charging station that should integrate neatly into most gaming set-ups or fit nicely on a shelf. It allows you to rest the Manba One on it and plug in the base itself with a standard USB-C cable, giving both a charging station and a place to store the controller when not in use. It integrates with Xbox, PC, Nintendo Switch and iOS or Android devices. As per the usual Sony rules, you can’t use it with the PS5, though.

While RGB in a controller usually doesn’t catch my attention, I find the subtle light technology on the Manba One quite appealing. This can be customized using the touchscreen, offering various presets. However, what truly stands out are its Hall Effect sticks that eliminate stick drift completely, and they boast a promise of zero deadzones. For FPS gamers, this, along with the 800Hz+ wired polling rate, makes the Manba One feel exceptionally competitive.

“Perhaps you might consider the Manba One in black. While the white or crystal finish on my model is quite attractive, the black one appears more luxurious and sophisticated, not to mention easier to maintain. Personally, I’d always choose a black controller over a white one. So, if the choice is available, I would strongly suggest going for the black version.

One criticism I have is with the controls themselves. While it’s nice to have the option to change the control sticks for taller alternatives, you can’t alter the D-pad, which just doesn’t have a high enough profile to comfortably play games that need precision D-pad input, like a fighting game for example. It’s not awful, but if you have an alternative controller for a fighter you’ll likely end up using it instead.

Apart from its advantages, the Manba One doesn’t have significant drawbacks. It offers a comfortable feel, has an expensive-looking design, and operates smoothly using the wireless dongle without any delay. The price is reasonable for a wireless controller, and it comes with an LCD screen that enhances its functionality more than other standard controllers do. In summary, the Manba One is a dependable gaming controller with some added features, making it a great option for anyone seeking a reliable device with a touch of extra functionality.

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2024-11-10 19:15