Razer Naga MMO mouse (and Megasoma mat) unboxing and hands-on
By Darren Murph 
posted Sep 18th 2009 9:13AM
posted Sep 18th 2009 9:13AM
Razer's got a knack for cranking out the unusual, and from the First Edition Boomslang, the outfit has also had a thing for developing gaming mice that demanded respect. The recently announced Naga (which is now shipping out to customers, by the way) is one of the most bizarre mice yet, boasting no fewer than 12 buttons on the left side and a promise of making your MMO gaming a more enjoyable experience. Alongside the wired USB critter, Razer also introduced a patently gigantic gaming surface, the $49.99 Mesasoma. We were able to spend some time with each of these peripherals, so hop on down to the gallery for a closer look and on past the break for a few impressions.
For starters, this $79.99 instrument of mousing greatness doesn't come cheap, and it certainly isn't for everyone. It's tailored for those who find themselves frequently occupied with all-night raids and something called "leveling up," so if you spend the bulk of your computing time surfing TMZ, struggling through that next level of Call of Duty or just penning your next dissertation, there's probably no reason for you to sink your hard-earned dollars into the Naga. However, if you're a World of Warcraft freak or just can't get enough of whatever massive multiplayer game it is that you play, there are actually quite a few reasons to give this a look. 12, to be precise.
12 is the number of dedicated hard keys slapped onto the left side of the Naga, and by default, they replicate the number pad. In other words, if you fire up 'Calculator' on your computer, you can actually do your math homework by using the grid of numbers on the side of the mouse. A flick of the switch underneath changes the grid from "number row" to "numeric pad," enabling the keys to substitute as up, down, left and right. The magic of these keys, however, is really only felt when you enter the MMO of your choice. On a Windows desktop, you'll probably never use them. The current software suite doesn't allow for customizations within Windows (say, if you wanted to make your '1' key act as 'Paste,' you couldn't -- and if you're listening Razer, this functionality wouldn't hurt), but the options are near limitless once you're on the digital playground.
Most every major MMO will play nice with the Naga's ability to adjust, giving the user control over which keys enable what commands. But even then, the question remains: are these keys easy / convenient to mash? To be totally frank, it takes some getting used to. At first, you'll feel as if the 12 keys are smashed too close together, but after awhile you'll get the feel for it. We were never able to feel completely comfortable with the layout (look, the side of a mouse doesn't have much surface area), but Razer did a commendable job with laying 'em out in a way that best takes advantage of the space that is there. In short, hardcore MMO players won't have a tough time getting used to the grid. They're already used to using myriad keys to get things done; having everything within thumb's reach should actually feel like an upgrade.
As for everything else about the mouse? It's a Razer, through and through. The build quality is top notch, the non-slip feet work as advertised, and the left / right mouse buttons have the perfect amount of travel. The scroll wheel is a joy to use, though the inability to convert this to a wireless mouse will certainly nag the anti-cable crowd. Amazingly, the high arch present due to the grid of keys didn't bother us in the least; we moused with the Naga in a desktop environment for a few hours and it never grew uncomfortable. Naturally, the blue accent lighting was a real treat if you're into that kind of thing, but thankfully Razer provides an option to disable the glow for those too old (or too square) to enjoy it. Razer claims that the Naga has a 5600dpi sensor, and while our hands aren't nearly steady enough to really put that to the test, we can safely say that it was absolutely precise enough for us. We can't imagine anyone actually needed to take full advantage of what this sensor can offer, but the snipers in attendance won't have much to gripe over when picking folks off.
Finally, the Megasoma gaming surface is probably the best mat we've ever had the pleasure of laying our mouse on, but unless you're a hardcore gamer with cash to spare, we could never justify spending 50 bones on a mousepad. We mean, it's a mousepad. A huge, wonderfully grippy (on the bottom), incredibly slick (on the top) mousepad, but a mousepad nonetheless. As for the value in the Naga? For MMO junkies, the $80 asking price is completely warranted. You'll put those 12 side buttons to use immediately, and even on the off chance that you find yourself doing something other that gold farming, you'll still enjoy a precise, comfortable mouse. Oh, and it's worth pointing out that while Razer has a history of catering to southpaws, the lefties in the crowd will probably have a tough time navigating 12 new buttons with their pinky finger. If you do manage to master it, however, kudos to you.
I want that mouse for TF2, since I have a retarded number of binds anyway (like binds for each engineer building and a bunch of admin commands for servers) so having another 11 on my mouse would be fantastic...
Naga...Naga..Naganna work here anymore anyway...
awesome office space reference, +1 to you sir!
looks like a nade.
Nah, won't work very well for FPSs.
You hit your mouse a bit hard to the left, and instead of your shotgun you end up with a build-tele box.
WTB this mouse in a lefty model.... or any ergonomic game mouse in a lefty model for that matter.
Left handed people are the DEVIL!
I've never met a left handed person that used their left hand for the mouse... is this common? My little brother is left handed and he uses his right hand, seems odd.
I've also never seen a desk setup for a left handed mouse.
You choose to be lefthanded. I'm sure you can join a prayer group and pray this abomination away!
You can get a Razer Diamondback or Copperhead... they're ambidextrous and really comfortable to use unless you have caveman hands.
I'm right handed but use my left for gaming with a mouse - I have no idea why, but I do. I started using the Boomslang way back when they first came out and loved it, now I use the copperhead and diamondback mice and like them as well. Basically, Razor has been my company of choice for left handed mice needs.
lol @ Argot
I am a righty ("northpaw"?) myself, but I often switch back and forth when using both a mouse or a touchpad, and while I still favor my right hand for precision work (digital photo editing, for instance) or gaming, I otherwise consider myself to now be about equally competent with either hand. It was hard at first, but the twinges of carpal tunnel in my right wrist encouraged me to continue working at it. Were money no object, I suppose I'd get a left-hand mouse and a right-hand mouse and just leave one on either side of the computer.
I'm another left handed gamer. I hope they figure out their past success has been because us lefties have been buying their products.
Interesting tidbit: an unusual large number of US presidents were lefthanded, including obama, bush, clinton, reagan(ambidextrous)..
And even presidents like obama has trouble getting stuff set up for lefthanded people.
But at least they don't force righthandedness on kids anymore like they did not that long ago.
558123654898
What, does the 7 button not work?
is it for skils in games like WOW
Yes, because that game is basically "skill" in it's purest digital form.
sounded like he was talking about the "skills" in the game, not the "skills" needed to play the game. l2read
Sorry I don't speak broken "k3wld00d" speak as l33t as you. LOLOlololZ!
Good god, 12 buttons on the thumb-side... I mean, REALLY...!
When the hell is someone going to bring out a trackball with more than a few buttons, I haven't used a mouse in years.
Yes! Exactly! I'm still using my 8-year-old MS Trackball Explorer, because I will NOT go back to a mouse and no current trackball has enough buttons. More trackballs!!!
I am guessing the curved angle will help identify the buttons some without looking...I am wondering, is there any bump on the 5 or something to help identify them further?
Someone please convince me this is hyped crap. Already have a mamba, need to save my pennies for an i9 build...not an overpriced toy to help me pwn noobs in Aion...
This is hyped crap.
There are raised indicators on the 4 and 6. Razor also provides little rubber stickers for the keys to help learn the positions.
It works great. No hype here.
Only 12 buttons?, when will people learn?.
Nah, i will wait for a mouse with 13 buttons.
Your wait is over, then... because this mouse actually has 17 buttons. 12 on the side, left, right, middle and two DPI switching buttons which can be reprogrammed to whatever.
No, i'm sure he wants EXACTLY 13 buttons
Right now I'm using a Nostromos at work to aid with AutoCAD. I might have to requisition one of these to replace it. Then I could use the Nostromos at home when TOR finally comes out.
The Naga is very nice and well priced.
I am currently using a new-to-me Logitech mouse with one large thumb button that brings up a Windows task switching window. It seems, though, that I am just meant to work a mouse with thumb buttons for I am always inadvertently pressing the button and popping up the task switching window whenever I don't need it. It then takes a couple of clicks to remove it, totally shattering my productivity for fifteen or 30 seconds.
The amount of thumb buttons on this mouse would just be a disaster for me.
Download the logi set point software... change the button to whatever you want.
Oh, and... NooB!
It's not up on Newegg yet. Still waiting......
People who use will probably get used to finding all 12 buttons without looking, but still have no idea where the clitoris is.
I heard it was by Stark's Pond.
the numbers 9-12 are completely in-accessable. Unless you take you hand off of the mouse to click on those numbers it's very uncomfortable and difficult to use those buttons. you'd have to use the underside of your palm to do it lol.
Are you speaking from personal experience? Have you used it somewhere? Not being a smartass, seriously asking. I would think you would be able to hit the 1-6 with the tip of your thumb, and 9-12 with the base/first joint on your thumb..but I would really like the opinion of someone who has used it.
I got in on the first shipment of these from Razor(received it Monday) and I can tell you the 9-12 are just as easy to use as the other. You can use the heal of your thumb to tap the 9-12 or if you thumb has an dexterity you can access them just as easy. I haven't had any issues with my testing over the last couple of days.
"It's a Razer, through and through. The build quality is top notch, "
funny, I think razer's quality has been going down the drain, My 2 year old diamondback held up for a good 2 years of playing FPS and photoshopping/daily pc use, now the sensor is dying and I can barely hit anything, the pointer just stutters and skips a couple of pixels (rating songs on itunes is a bitch, closing tabs in the browser in an impossible task)
my razer lycosa mirror edition keyboard is even worse - a week after buying it, the f1 key broke loose, and the keyboard feels like a piece of cardboard, it bends whenever you press a key very hard, I'm amazed at how it hasnt broke in two pieces yet. My logitech G11 keyboard was miles ahead in terms of usability, comfort, and build quality!
Really? I've got a Razer Deathadder, Mamba, eXactmat, Lycosa (regular edition), and the Moray+, and I couldn't be happier.
Even looking at buying the Mako at some point and possibly the Megasoma mousepad.
Count me as another disappointed Razer ex-user. I used a boomslang, went up to a copperhead and a deathadder with no problems at all, but then I got the abortion called the Lachesis. Worst mouse I've ever owned. Constantly axis locking, imprecise, and awful software. The final straw was when I tried getting a hold of a human in support to complain about it and never could.
I use a G5 now.
All my razer gear is still working great. Even my audio card is working great after some water coolant leaked onto it and dried into some wierd goo over the course of months, and then some of the paint peeled off because my cleaning of the goo was too forceful and copper was exposed on the pcb. Still working fine!
One time someone knocked my Barracuda headset off my desk and broke one of the swivel joints on an earpiece, I whined to Razer about it and they replaced my headset. (Though I didn't have it for as long as two years, more like a month when it broke).
Only thing I wish was that my Tarantula keyboard had backlit keys. Yeah, I know the Lycosa does, but I got really attached to the L/R Macro keys, and wouldn't want to give them up.
All in all, I'm pretty happy with razer products. A perfect complement to any system that is used constantly.
I'd love to get one of these. Having a few additional buttons for my thumb would make me hand off my G9 mouse to my step son. I guess I know what to ask for from the wife for Christmas or me b-day. :)
You'll regret it, and then ur son in law will make fun of u hard core in the interwebz. maybe join ur server and own u wit ur own mouse. u want that? U WANT THAT?!?!?!
If you need more accessible buttons, the g9 and a gamepad will more than suffice. Around the same price and so much cooler looking. Then you wont be a wildlife charming noob like Richard @ Sep 18th 2009 10:44AM
"Really? I've got a Razer Deathadder, Mamba, eXactmat, Lycosa (regular edition), and the Moray+, and I couldn't be happier.
Even looking at buying the Mako at some point and possibly the Megasoma mousepad."
The names alone say Hello Kitty Island lover.
Again no shots of a hand actually holding it like a mouse, I just don't get how you move it without hitting 6 keys by accident, and there.s nobody holding it for real on their site, not in their videos either, and now again all you see is someone holding it by the wire.
I knowz! Itx lik how the hel do you manage to have a hand on a keyburd witout mashing all the keys all the time!!!! Noob.
Yeah I'm always pushing against the keys to move my keyboard over my desk in an attempt to move the cursor, just like you.
Based on my experience with my Mamba I'm sure the thing rocks.
I'm just happy to see them backing off of the truly retarded level of packaging that the Mamba came in.
I'm getting ready to donate the box to a museum for showing off some priceless artifact or something, because all the BS is now pretty much useless now that the product has been removed from it.
The idea is intriguing; the execution is lacking. Yes, MMOs require a grip of buttons to access all the various commands. But trying to put them all on the mouse misses the point.
1. They've taken the numpad off the keyboard, which would be used by your left hand, and put it all under your thumb.. So from having an entire hand to control 12 buttons, they've gone to having one thumb do all the work.
2. For high-end gaming, knowing exactly which command you're using is critical. Flubbing a command because you couldn't find the right button is a good way to die and/or annoy everyone else that you're playing with.
2. To activate these buttons, you're pressing across the axis of movement of a precision movement device. Cross-purpose.
This mouse is an abomination and should be burned at the stake.
Razor should take a cue from the Belkin N52te that they helped develop. Give us a right-handed N52te, with a thumb ball instead of the Dpad. I would pay upwards of $80 in a heartbeat for this.
+fucin1 man. +1.
I didnt really read the article, looked at the pics, thought how I could use the buttons in FPS... I still managed to find three spelling mistakes/typos.
Best mouse available still is the G9.
This is a little tacky. And for someone wo owns a smack load of gaming perifs... that's saying A LOT. But really, this is aimed at the 12 y/o jerkoffs that still play garbage like WoW.
for someone who didnt read the article you sure have quite a troll-worthy collection of negative comments...
If you are a serious enough gamer to get this mouse, you are probably better suited to have a better keyboard (or at least a better config for it). I have yet to find an MMO which had more commands than keys on a keyboard, once you take into account the possibility of shift and ctrl combinations. Throw a 'nade in an fps? g. macro to throw it max range? shift-g. Target next enemy in an mmo? tab. Previous? shift-tab. Reset to nearest? ctrl-tab. I appreciate the love razer is showing mmo players, but dont think we need it in mouse-form.
Damn, that's a lot of thumb buttons.
I have been using the Naga in WoW since Monday night when I received it from Razor. I find the mouse to be very comfortable and easy to use. I have no issue accessing all the buttons with my thumb. It did take a little game time to get use to and a couple of rearrangements of abilities to become efficient. I never liked having a ton of key bindings coupled with a bunch of modifer keys all while trying to move and strafe. The Naga allowed me to move those bindings to the mouse freeing me up. The WoW add-on is easy to use and very customizable.
Overall I am happy with my purchase.
Overall, ur still playing a carebear game. Lolzor! it's like reading a review from someone who just came back from playing Hello Kitty Island Adventure. pwned.
Annnnd, right click!
bur bur bur bur
Quite the attack from a guy who didn't read the article and couldn't figure out that this isn't an FPS mouse in the first place.
Talk about a digital hand grenade. Looks like a prop from Transformers.
Too. Many. Buttons.
um, perhaps im missing something but how on earth would this mouse be comfortable to use. the area where you would normally grip your mouse with your thumb is completely taken up by these buttons. there's only that small area near the front of the mouse for your thumb. if that's where you actually grip the mouse with your thumb, it would be require a ridiculous and unnatural reach to use the thumb buttons. just get a keyboard with macro buttons and stick with a proper mouse.
That's what I've been saying, but to deaf man's ears it seems, everybody ignores that obvious issue, not sure how most people move their mouse, but perhaps you keep it stationary in MMO eh.
I'm not sure what you are talking about. I play an MMO with my Razer Lachesis on a slick perfomance mat. I don't use my thumb unless I'm clicking the forward/back buttons. It's clear that you use a MS or Logitech mouse on a sqishy pad. Personally, I see this as a non-issue.
talking about a conversation piece for parties...... lan parties that is
So....those number keys can't be programmed outside the realm of MMOG??
shame, it could have been a serious multi-tasker
i personally would want to try F1 to F12
you couldn't make a photo with a hand holding the mouse in that usual way people use mice, could you?
Fail mouse. Because 104+keys aren't enough...
This has been released? I've had mine on preorder from amazon for over a week. I knew it was released in Europe, but not the US. How have some been able to get this? Wish there was a definated release date for the rest of us.
All of those thumb buttons and they couldn't bother to make a real middle button.
They must have worked harder than a naga in a cotton field to come up with that thing
whats the wire thing for, and does it have an anti-pizza-grease coating
Where's the wireless functionality, the side-scrolling mouse wheel and the 7 pinky buttons? Get to it Razor!