Razer breaks out of the PC gaming scene with pair of Xbox 360 peripherals
By Donald Melanson 
posted January 8th 2010 2:21AM
posted January 8th 2010 2:21AM
It sure has taken its time, but it looks Razer has finally decided to try its hand at a console gaming peripheral. While they've both apparently yet to be completely finalized or approved by Microsoft, the company is nonetheless showing off its Onza controller and Chimaera headset for the Xbox 360, which both stick close to Razer's usual design cues, and naturally include plenty of features tailored to demanding gamers. That, of course, includes a cord on each instead of batteries to cut down on any latency, and some adjustable tension analog sticks and a programmable multi-function button on the controller. Still no indication of a release date, but Razer is expecting to sell the controller for $50 and the headset for $130. Hit up the gallery below for a closer look at each.
Interesting!
@Freddark its.,.,. got ,.,.,., a.,.,, wire?
@Eugene Action
Exactly... Razer didn't get the memo, and are apparently unaware the rest of us are living in 2010.
The question is.... Will it blend?
@Ralph23
Yay! :) and for those of you think wired is dumb. Get real.
No charging or purchasing batteries, No reconnecting or sync'ing controllers everytime you switch systems. Increased button response. Oh and the probability that you can likely also use this with PC.
Me want!!!
@Ralph23
Your question is sooo 2008.
@cjwild
I can already use my wireless X360 controllers with my PC.
doesn't need to be wired for that.
@Ordeith
Sorry but for people who care about being good at a game, button response is absolutely a priority.
@Ryujin I always wondered... will my PS3 controller work if the internal battery is damaged but I have the USB cord connected? Anyone have this problem? Or is the USB strictly for charging?
THIS IS NOT FOR YOU FRED
lol..sorry this is just funny.
@stockjones
Meh if it weren't so expensive I'd buy one just for the D-Pad alone...
@PlatinumSkeet
Seconded! They would have to try VERY VERY HARD for it to be worse than the Microsoft one.
Sold. That controller looks damn good. I hope my messenger chatpad can attach to it.
If I hadn't already bought the turtle beach IR headphones, I'd be all over that headset as well. I'll wait for reviews on the headset.
@Smurf Looks like you're out of luck - there appears to be only a headset port on the bottom, no ext connector :(
I think this is going to be the first 3rd party controller I get for the 360. Razer makes pretty good products. The fact that it is wired doesn't really matter to me. I also love the d-pad. That looks like it is going to beat the living crap out of the d-pad on Microsoft's controllers. They can keep the headset though.
@Victory1140 The D-pad is what caught my attention too. I can't tell you how many times I've moved it in the wrong direction because I applied slight in the wrong direction. Knot knice.
Wired sucks though.
@statelypenguin wired is awesome since it will work straight away on the pc, but yeah i don't want any1 tripping over them wires.
@Victory1140 That's the *first* thing I noticed - holy crap, I bet that Dpad is actually useful! I agree, I might actually deal with a cable to fix that.
But do the buttons work faster than normal buttons! :O
what's with the extra shoulder buttons?
@unfunk They are the programmable buttons
@tim2lman Ah, right. It helps to read, I see...
@unfunk to it says LMFB left mother F@#$ bumper
I would so buy this! If their xbox peripherals are 1/2 as good as their PC stuff, this is gonna be GREAT! Does it have backlit buttons? And what about that strip around the controller? I hope that lights up...
@tim2lman
Read the article...
"The Razer Onza Professional Gaming Controller for Xbox 360 is further distinguished by a sharply-lit edge, for gaming that stays in style, even in the dark. "
Wow, the D-Pad looks great. I might pick one of these up.
You wanna know the real reason as to why it's not wireless?
Because Microsoft doesn't allow 3rd parties to use its proprietary wireless tech in the 360. Not because cords allow less latency. I bet that if Razer could use Microsoft's wireless, they would.
@MastrCake didn't see your post. So MS doesn't allow anyone else to connect to their wireless protocol? So I'm stuck with the crap d-pad of the original controller?
How did hori make a wireless arcade stick (tekken 6 bundle) for the 360 then?
@yode
Expensive licensing. Also MS would have to see if the device doesn't repeat one of their own technologies. So arcade stick, mic (is the rock band wireless mic still available since the lips mic came out?), controller, racing wheel- these are all single solutions for wireless.
@andyo You have learned well, young padawan.. thus is the Way of the MS.
@MastrCake - PS3 Controller please! And guess what? Bluetooth is not proprietary!
PS I new Razer would cross over to the console world even when a young Frank Black contacted them with a PS2 controller idea back in the Boomslang v1 days. The idea is still good even to this day. Why? because FPS aming on a console still SUX compared to a mouse on a PC. I would love to give them input on a game changing PS3 controller. Know what, think I will contact Rob K. and finally give him the idea If he is still around...
I've been meaning to buy a 3rd party controller without the crap d-pad of the original MS one, but the cord kills this one. Maybe there should be a term like gameophile for people who complain about "lag" like audiophiles complain about inaudible jitter. They ruin or make more expensive otherwise good equipment for the rest of us.
@andyo See above. It's not really lag, it's MS licensing requirements.
"Hey, guys! Look what I bought on a wild impulse: New controller! It's like my old one but with a crazy green stripe! Whoo! Never know what I'm gonna do next!"
@vVv
Dpad alone is worth putting down the money on this one.
@Delta agreed.
@vVv
Me, me, pick me. I know this!
Lela from futurama!
No wireless? Who will buy this?
@specialbuddy also works on PC if it's wired
@MisterSquared I did not know that. I guess it could be useful.
@specialbuddy If it was Mad Catz, I wouldn't give it a second glance. But given Razer's reputation, the description of it and just getting a look at it, I will wind up getting this.
why is the headset so overpriced??
@lazidude202 Compared to other surround sound headsets like the Turtle Beach X41's, Tritton sets, A40s, they are actually on the low side, especially considering the wireless.
yeah, id like to no if theres the button reaction time is faster in anyway.. also i can't seem to find the headphone jack.
im currently usin astro gaming headset, with a mixamp, and i doubt this will be able to compare, or they'll be very simular.
all and all, razer should stick to pc, the mice and keyboards are my favorite.
also with those extra "programable" keys im assuming thats for pc only (who would want to use controller vs keyboard mice, i dont really no)
I always hated playing games at my friend's houses because they always gave you the crappy 3rd party controller.
I've always thought of them being the cheap controller for when friends were over and not to replace an original one.
If the Xbox 360 dpad bothers you then just buy Hori Xbox 360 Pad EX 2.
Right. Wireless to cut down on latency. Yet they recently finally started selling the Mamba wireless gaming mouse.
The wireless controller is probably a licensing cost to MS issue.
I'm confused as to why they moved the back and start buttons. Those look awkward.
Dpad would be nice. Also curious as to how they are saying it can store macros. I assume they work with the second set of bumpers. Also curious about the adjustable stick tension.
WANT