Tech review: Manba One gaming controller - we've come a long way since the Atari game paddles

Gaming controllers have evolved a lot over the years, as Steve Wollaston finds out

It was 1981 when I started gaming. I'm reliably informed that at the age of five, I used to grab the paddle controllers on our Atari home entertainment system and merrily play tennis against my older brother.

I say tennis, it was two lines and a ball going backwards and forwards, but I have been hooked ever since.

That was my first experience with a games controller, my second experience would have been one of the classic one-button Atari joysticks, and then a Competition Pro which quite quickly had its buttons destroyed due to athletics games. The older folks will know what I am on about.

Over the years I have witnessed the complete evolution of the game controller. Many shapes and sizes have passed before these eyes and many buttons have been mastered.

I remember sitting playing Grand Theft Auto once with the police intercom coming out of the speaker in my hands on a PS4 controller, and wondering what the 1981 version of me would make of it all.

Anyway, I digress. I'm here to talk about the latest controller to find its way into my palms and that is the Manba One interactive screen gaming controller.

A controller with compatibility for PC, Switch, iOS and Android, this comes with an interactive screen that allows you complete autonomy over button mapping, backlights, vibrations and buttons.

Customization is definitely the USP and it allows you to set things up exactly how you want them for whatever platform you are using it on. Don't be fooled into thinking this is just a gimmicky controller, it's far from it. The controller has a lightweight yet robust ergonomic design that will withstand plenty of fierce gaming sessions.

The tech in the controller is impressive, but crucially it does the basics really well looking after you with high quality Hall-effect triggers and pleasing button experience.

It feels really good when gaming and can be modified depending on the type of games you are playing, for example, people who take their FPS games seriously, they are well catered for with optimum settings for that genre.

A single charge off the charging doc will keep you happy for 12 hours and after your session you can just pop it back on the charger to top it up. There's an awful lot to like here and the screen is a really nice touch in addition to the quality of the product as a gaming controller.

I would have loved for it to be compatible with Xbox and PS5/PS4, but maybe next time. High quality, brilliant customization and a great addition to your gaming accessories.

The Manba One is available via Amazon selling for £75.99.

What the buyers say

One Amazon poster wrote: "When I received the controller and the buttons input being all mixed up for example B was A and a bunch of others were mixed up also. I thought that was the only problem I'll have but the problem is the package was supposed to come with interchangeable tumbsticks and the other set are not present. This makes me believe this controller was a returned item and the seller failed to check the contents accordingly."

Josh Lewin wrote: "I play plenty of video games and I've used pretty much every controller on the market. Xbox elite series 2, ps5 edge, scuf Pro, razer wolverine, thrustmaster eswap. You name it and I've probably used it. All of them get blown away by the manba one with the hall effect triggers and thumbsticks which gives literal 0 % dead zones and instant reponse which for FPS games is must . Its not a gimic BTW i tested it and it was staggeringly good. For the price of budget pad your getting one top premium controller."

Other options

Fosmon wireless controller: This cheaper option has picked up a very good average rating on Amazon with the same multi-platform ability, it lacks the interactive screen and some of the high spec of the Manba, but it is a good price. It's also see through with some funky lighting!

8Bitdo Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller: When looking at the average reviews and alternative products on Amazon, my eyes were drawn to this neat and nifty little retro style controller. A bit reminiscent of early PlayStation and Nintendo controllers, this multi platform controllers looks beautifully simplistic and well worth a closer look.