Behold! Microsoft resurrects the SideWinder mouse
by Jared Rea 
{ Aug 23rd 2007 at 12:57AM }
With five programmable buttons, adjustable weights and an on-board LCD display, the only thing missing from Microsoft's new SideWinder gaming mouse is a signed autograph by Fatal1ty in pizza grease. The SideWinder series was a staple of Windows gaming in the 90's, marred by compatibility issues and bad taste. Well, it's back and while we're sure that Microsoft won't have any issues with compatibility (it's only a USB mouse, after all), they've still got a long ways to go in the style department.
The SideWinder mouse will be available this October and for the hefty sum of $79.95.
The SideWinder mouse will be available this October and for the hefty sum of $79.95.
Gallery: SideWinder Mouse
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Grey Fox @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:01AM
I was fully expecting a price tag of at least $100 so I guess it isn't that bad. Looks uncomfortable though.
blooh @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:02AM
wonder what's on the lcd
†
drezsworder @ Aug 23rd 2007 3:41AM
The LCD shows the current DPI on it
BulletToothTony @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:07AM
hey if it gets good reviews i might pick one up to play UT3 on my ps3..
Zeus the God @ Aug 23rd 2007 4:54PM
Ha! Yeah, and you're gonna' need it. That PlayStation SIXAXIS controller won't get you anywhere in FPSes.
DWells55 @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:08AM
The side looks like it has the bolts coming out of Frankenstein's neck.
wako @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:09AM
Looks awkward and a bit bulky. I think Ill wait for the new BoomSlang mouse that Razer will be releasing this fall
Stupidiot @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:09AM
Wow, it looks uncumfortable, dysfunctional and ugly all at once! My Logitech G7 mouse has certainly served me well so far.
muji @ Aug 24th 2007 5:31AM
i thought it looked like a vacuum cleaner
Deckart @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:19AM
What kind of autograph other than a signed autograph is there, exactly?
vidGuy @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:26AM
Um, an autopen or a stamped signature.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autopen
vidGuy @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:21AM
Does this one include motion control? Because according to Bill Gates motion is stupid and completely unusable for gaming...
Mark my words, the next XBOX will have motion-sensitive controllers out of the box.
Todd Rabanus @ Aug 23rd 2007 3:21AM
wow! you managed to get in a stab at xbox during a discussion about a PC mouse. I'm sure your boyfriend is proud.
Seriously though the topic is about mice and that is one of the craziest mice i have seen. I have some big hands and to me this looks comfortable. I don't know what the weights and lcd are for but when you do some PC counterstrike a good mouse is a key to success. If this mouse can deliver on first person shooters then the price tag (I've seen $100+ for the serious competition mice) may be a steal for targeted audience, hardcore PC gamers.
vidGuy @ Aug 23rd 2007 10:05AM
One of the SideWinder mice had motion control. Wii motion control works like a mouse. SideWinder is a mouse. Console games need the precision of a mouse. Bill Gates heads Microsoft, which produces both this mouse and the XBOX.
A little off topic maybe, but not a trolling comment thank you.
Zeus the God @ Aug 23rd 2007 4:57PM
Motion and mice... A mouse is going to have "motion sensing" no matter what, because you have to move it to use it. The motion sensing bit is useless for consoles, just like SIXAXIS.
That WAS a trolling comment, because all you did was try to take shots at MS.
BNinjaC @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:21AM
That's as ugly as a, well, ugly thing. At least they went with black and not some shade of 'vomit green'.
(See Halo special edition Xbox360 for further details)
flameofdoom666 @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:23AM
Weights for what?
sklose @ Sep 29th 2007 11:12AM
The weights are designed to give the mouse the exact weight and weight distribution one finds satisfactory.
Eisen Soldaten @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:36AM
Quite the abortion that is.
colin @ Aug 23rd 2007 3:10AM
hahaha, that was good
Noga @ Aug 23rd 2007 2:46AM
Wow it looks so retro, this is actually an interesting article, but then again, I'm a mouse connoisseur.
Seroth @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:53AM
Only way I'd buy this is if it allowed keyboard and mouse controls on the Xbox 360. I'd totally shell out 80 bucks just for that.
Obie @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:55AM
I used to have a SideWinder controller, it never worked right. So they won't see a penny of my money for this Darth Malak looking monstrosity.
LegendarySyko @ Aug 23rd 2007 2:11AM
Ew. No thanks. Ill keep my Razer Deathadder.
Shawn @ Aug 23rd 2007 6:37AM
my razor eats that for lunch..
ThornedVenom @ Aug 23rd 2007 7:26AM
On my last trip to Vietnam, I bought myself a $12 laser mouse which also works on glass surfaces. It works great and it's more than enough for me.
Professional gaming mice are whether for pros, whether for wannabes. As for me, I'm a noob.
Trax @ Aug 23rd 2007 7:27AM
Anyone saying that mouse is ugly and giving credit to Razer is retarded. Razer is like Alienware, good products, far far overpriced and made out of cheap materials with flashy bits to appeal to the lowest common denominator. Loading a mouse with LEDS isn't exactly innovative. People might not like the look of this product, but you can't get it's functionality for that price anywhere. Also if you don't know what the weights are for don't comment on a gaming mouse.
WedgeTalon @ Aug 23rd 2007 7:49AM
That... is rather ugly. I think I'll leave my sites on the Logitech MX Revolution, as I DO do more than gaming. And from my limited use (fiddling with at displays), it feels quite comfy. :)
baby sea tuna @ Aug 23rd 2007 8:32AM
BOOM, HEADSHOT!
Cabcru @ Aug 23rd 2007 8:46AM
My hand is cramping just looking at it.
Buckshot @ Aug 23rd 2007 8:59AM
Logitech MX518 ftw, pwned my g5 at half the price. I still use my sidewinder force feedback pro stick when I play FS though.
WiNG @ Aug 23rd 2007 9:10AM
Well it looks clunky. I would try it in the store and see how the ergonomics are. The weights ARE useful, for instance in the Logi G5 you can change how much the mouse weighs, in case you prefer a near weightless mouse or something heavy. hmmmm
Ocho @ Aug 23rd 2007 9:28AM
Looks like a Sega Master System.
mike_p @ Aug 24th 2007 9:23AM
I was thinking the same thing! Scary...
OrganicShadow @ Aug 23rd 2007 5:52PM
Looks:
-ugly
-uncomfortable
-like i will be accidentally hitting buttons that will boot me out of my game
-overpriced
-like it's copying the weight tray idea from a better mouse company
-like it should have just stuck with RAZER since M$ bought them
-useless to have your DPI displayed as it doesn't really matter that much
Sorry but my Logitech G5 (corded)laser mouse is the best I've ever had since my MX500. Don't need all those fancy "quick turn" macros and crap like that to be good at a game. That seems kind of lame to me. It's like people on TFC with their rocket-jump bind scripts they bind to their back button on their mouse so they don't have to manually do it themselves each time.
Christopher7xii @ Aug 23rd 2007 10:56AM
It looks like a torture device for gamers. How the hell can you hold that thing and not puncture yourself? It almost looks like a breathing apparatus.
The Dude @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:44PM
I've heard logitech actually manufactures most of Microsoft's mice, is that true? (serious question) The scroll wheel looks really similar to the new ones on the Revolution mice from Logitech.
fuser197 @ Aug 23rd 2007 2:05PM
What kind of compatibility and taste issues are you referring to? I've owned every single Sidewinder joysticks over that period of time (still have them all except the original) and they've worked with everything, by far the best joysticks of that time. IMO, they were also better looking than the competition, nothing garish, or too blinged out. I was really sad to see the Sidewinder line of peripherals go.
sklose @ Sep 29th 2007 11:13AM
I heard a lot of great things about this mouse. I am also very interesting in the 180 turn with the click of a button. I heard that despite the strange looking design it lies great in the hand. I also like the idea of putting weights inside to have the balance one wishes to accomplish. Even though I am not the biggest MS Fan I already ordered the mouse for $85.
The only thing is that I don't like it having a cable. Supposedly Gaming Mice don't have them. I don't know, I never had one. I use a Logitech MX 700 currently.