Microsoft brings back SideWinder gaming mouse, throws in an LCD

Not too long after Razer resurrected the classic Boomslang, Microsoft is reviving the SideWinder line with the introduction of a decked out gaming mouse. For starters, the 2,000 DPI wired critter sports a Quick Turn feature that lets users "check their perimeter at any angle," a weight cartridge system, a variety of feet to match glide preferences, instantaneous DPI adjustment, and a cable management system to boot. Moreover, Microsoft claims that this is the first gaming mouse to arrive with an LCD built right in, which allows users to "easily keep track of key gaming actions, including their DPI and steps for recording macros." Of course, we'd recommend actually wielding one of these things before plunking down your $79.95 come October, but the specification sheet is mighty impressive, indeed. Check out the hands-on action in the gallery below.

Gallery: Microsoft brings back SideWinder gaming mouse, throws in an LCD

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[Ken @ Aug 22nd 2007 9:35AM]

Neat thumb buttons. Too bad they couldn't produce something like it in a wireless form. Even if it wouldn't be a l33tzor gheyming mouse. I also wonder if the buttons have the same crappy tactile response that all the other MS mice have.

[neW1 @ Aug 22nd 2007 9:41AM]

Looks pretty nice.Would like to try it :P

[Miles @ Aug 22nd 2007 9:53AM]

If there is one thing Microsoft does right, it's input devices.

360 controller
Keyboards
Mice
Mics

They still make some of the best on the market.

Also notice how I didn't bash them!

[Miles @ Aug 22nd 2007 9:56AM]

Also, how could I forget their Sidewinder controllers.
I feel like a dolt.

[Peter @ Aug 22nd 2007 10:25AM]

Agreed, say what you want about the software, but their keyboards and mice are great.

[Lattyware @ Aug 22nd 2007 11:38AM]

Indeed, shame their hardware (Xbox & Xbox 360) have major faults in them continuously. Oh well, I guess that's consistency with their software (saying that, Xbox Live is a very good service, so it's all up in the air.). Saying that, I just ditched my M$ mouse for a Logitech G5. Very nice stuff.

[Solomon @ Aug 22nd 2007 12:08PM]

True that. The SideWinder joysticks from last millenium were amazing. They pushed the technology available with the old GAME/MIDI jack. Unfortunately, though, that port is obsolete, and converters do not work because no one has made proper drivers...

Also, Microsoft introduced those curvy ergonomic keyboards to consumers (not that they are very common, even today).

[Maestro @ Aug 22nd 2007 9:55AM]

Make this wireless and I'm in.

[artifex @ Aug 22nd 2007 9:58AM]

An LCD? I guess that would make sense for recording macros. Still, who stares at their mouse, otherwise? If the macros are stored on the computer and not in the mouse, anyway, I'd rather just do it in control panel, so I could test the macro by feel at the same time.

Those side buttons don't look so good in terms of useability, either. I'd like to see a review from someone using one.

[Shadowise @ Aug 22nd 2007 10:24AM]

Not true, the new Logitech mouse stores the macros and dpi settings on the mouse, so it stays wherever you go! Might be the case here aswell.

[artifex @ Aug 22nd 2007 1:15PM]

Well, like I said, IF. I could see the benefit to storing the macros in the mouse itself, that's cool, too.

Oh, and I also had to comment to turn off this auto email feature, since there's no other way to do it. Sorry :)

[artifex @ Aug 22nd 2007 1:16PM]

oops, no, now I just got a message saying I replied to myself.
This sucks. How do I turn off the email?

[Daniel Spiegelman @ Aug 22nd 2007 10:04AM]

i still heart my g5 that does all of these thing for 20 bucks less except for the lcd screen

[Ty @ Aug 22nd 2007 10:12AM]

I don't really see how you could comfortably rest your thumb and pinky with the side buttons set up the way they are. Still, it's nice to see another company throwing a mouse with a 2,000 DPI sensor out there. Honestly though, the Boomslang was my favorite mouse of all time for first person shooters. Except for cleaning it and when the left and right mouse buttons started to die...

I'll be buying two of the new ones when they are released. Can't wait to see a review of the M$ one, though.

[Neal @ Aug 22nd 2007 10:25AM]

I have the Habu, and it does most of this (not the things I don't need like the weights, LCD and crap) and love it. I admit that MS can learn, they did well with the Habu in working with Razer, so this looks like they took what they learned from that and redid a brand they own.

[lejupp @ Aug 22nd 2007 10:25AM]

I'm a left handed person. Will there be a version of this mouse for me?

[sd @ Aug 22nd 2007 10:52AM]

yes, seems awesome

[portwineboy @ Aug 22nd 2007 11:32AM]

I wish they would bring back the Trackball Explorer 1.0 USB Optical Mouse, it is the best mouse I've ever owned and used ones go for ~$100 on eBay. I fear the day mine dies.

[Gadreel @ Aug 22nd 2007 11:16AM]

That thing looks like a spaceship! That scroll wheel looks comfortable. They should really take pictures of a mouse with a hand on it because it doesn't seem like the LCD will be seen with a hand on it. Even if it were seen, I doubt anyone would actually look at it. I rarely use my G5's mouse scroll speed setting because it is uncomfortable to switch between them.

[Handsome Devil @ Aug 26th 2007 4:28AM]

Boy that is one ugly mouse (IMO). I mean it looks bulky. What is the purpose of the LCD, you can't look at while you playing a game because you hand will be covering that area. So to read it I would have to remove my hand a possibly turn it sideways boy that is helpful. To many other better options for a lot less.

[Solomon @ Aug 22nd 2007 12:27PM]

Well, it is definitely not SideShow, but that LCD could serve a purpose. Specially designed games could show stuff like life or ammo rounds and such on the screen, or even something like a minute count of how long you've been playing.

[Gadreel @ Aug 22nd 2007 12:39PM]

Sure would be useful if a game didn't display life or ammo on the screen in front of your face and in your line of sight. The minute count idea would be exceptional though.. maybe a force feedback mechanism attached to it that simultaneously sends electrical shocks into your hand to tell you to stop playing the game after 50 hours of straight game play. Would've saved this guy: http://play.tm/story/6353 Another victim to obsession. :D

[jptech @ Aug 22nd 2007 12:56PM]

I've been a logitech fanboy since the mx series of mice came out.

This thing is damn sexy.

I'm ashamed to say I want one.

I think the design is tremendous. Weighted throw, variable friction feet? sexy buttons?

I want it.

[Magallanes @ Aug 22nd 2007 1:52PM]

I wonder if this mouse came with the "nice" feature "smooth scrolls that render useless the third button".

[Kizul Emeraldfire @ Aug 22nd 2007 2:55PM]

At Miles' second comment: I'm gonna disagree with you there on the behalf of my and my sister's SideWinder Freestyle Pro controllers. The motion-sensing is awesome, true, and the controller itself works quite well — except for the stupid joypad. More often than not, I'll end up getting a diagonal direction (only for a split second, though) instead of the straight direction I'm wanting, which is incredibly frustrating for games where precision is KEY! \o_o/

Like fighting games, for instance. It is ridiculously hard to do, say, Ken's flaming dragon uppercut-thing with this controller because of how the joypad was designed. Take apart the joypad of it, and then take apart an old NES or SNES controller and compare the two. You'll see why it's a lot easier to do those special moves with an SNES controller than with the SW FS Pro. XD

However, despite the rather bad joypad, the controller is still awesome, especially thanks to its motion-sensing abilities! :D It is for that reason alone that I want to figure out a way to hook the thing up to an N64 so that I can use it when I'm playing F-Zero X on the actual hardware. :)

[Mindfield @ Aug 22nd 2007 8:23PM]

The hell? Those silver posts on the side are thumb buttons? What about the indented one ahead of them, is that a button too? How are you supposed to press it? There seem to be some serious ergonomic issues with this one. The weights are a nice idea, and I like the number of buttons and interchangeable feet. The LCD is useless, and the cord makes it a deal breaker. I like my Logitech MX Revolution. It could use another button or two, but it's incredibly comfortable and works very well. Plus, I gave up on Microsoft mice years ago when I went through three optical Explorer mice that kept dying because the cord kept fraying at the contact point inside the body, causing it to start shorting.

[Holger @ Aug 23rd 2007 8:39AM]

Hm... is it just me or is it fugly?

plus isn't it best with the optics in the middle of the mouse ?

[mbiotz @ Aug 23rd 2007 9:02AM]

I tried this new Microsoft mouse today at Leipzig Games Convention. Very very cheap feel, and uncomfortable ergonomics. They took some interesting ideas (and ripped quite a few from Logitech) and executed really poorly. Also tried new Logitech G9...it was surprisingly really comfortable and better looking in person. Felt really good. You can tell they put a lot more thought and quality into the mouse.

[Ken @ Aug 23rd 2007 10:40AM]

Lemme guess...

Microsoft craptastic tactile response.

[danny @ Aug 30th 2007 6:51AM]

What is the point in the macro?