Razer Naga mouse targets online gamers with built-in keypad

In non-Logitech or Microsoft mouse news, we have to hand it to Razer for its ability to read an audience. If you've played World of Warcraft, Warhammer Online, Eve Online, or other MMOs, you've most likely felt overwhelmed by the number of hot keys required to attack, communicate, and manage your inventory.

Razer's new Naga gaming mouse targets MMO gamers by incorporating a 12-button keypad into the side of the device.

The Razer Naga gaming mouse targets MMO gamers with a built-in 12-button keypad.

(Credit: Razer)

Aside from the keypad, the Naga looks like a wired version of the Razer Mamba from earlier this year. Like the Mamba, the Naga has all of the speeds and feeds common to high-end gaming mice, including a 5,600 dpi laser sensor and 1,000MHz polling rate. You won't really need those high-precision settings to master the assisted targeting and timed-attack mechanics in a MMO, but it's hard to find a gaming mouse these days without such crazy settings, so you might as well have them.

Razer also boasts in-game configuration add-ons for World of Warcraft and Warhammer Online for the Naga, which will hopefully simplify mapping the various key commands. And if the Naga is reasonably comfortable and intuitive to use, we can see how it might appeal to other gamers, digital media artists, or users of any other hot key-heavy software.

Razer lists the Naga for $79.99 on its Web site, and says it will be available online "soon."

[DJ_Lae]

Weird. Seems like way too many hotkeys to cram in such a small space unless you have the world's smallest thumbs. Never thought a mouse manufacturer would use the Atari Jaguar controller for inspiration.

[Fil0403]

Agreed, I hope the idea is to press at least 3 keys at the same time.

[corpseoftaloy]

I like the idea of extra buttons, but I don't have tiny thumbs. Does anyone?

And what's with all the mouse love? Why not some Trackball love?

[rhbrown]

As soon as some trackball news comes my way I'm all over it. I'm sure there's some out there. Yup... Any second now...

[T_Hoff]

And this is betterhow?

[Sunnitron]

Maybe the buttons aren't as small as people think, and it's just an overly fat mouse? And as such, how will it go as an fps mouse? I switch a lot between COD4 and WoW, I don't want to switch mice as well.

[bobmonkey07]

hmmm...

does it come with red lights instead?

[jtoverath]

I'm curious but also having fat thumbs will wait for a review.

[albusGTI]

I am an owner of larger hands, (AFAIK; if you play guitar I'm more comfortable on a Strat or classical neck then a Les Paul, may he R.I.P.), confirmed WoW addict, and user of a Razer DeathAdder (2 buttons are in the same general area as the numpad. Looks like they moved those closer to the left button.) I can also see how they could fit the buttons in a functional manner. The Adder is thicker then an average mouse, and you'd only need to use a portion of the thumb's surface to tap the pad. The thumb is kinda along for the ride as far as control of the device goes, and muscle memory should allow for efficient use of the pad.

If a MMO gamer (or other computer user) is holding the mouse with a death-grip that limits their thumb movement I suggest they save their $80, give MMO's a break and lay off the energy drinks before they succumb to renal failure.

Peace

[oghoul]

My hands are on the larger side of the spectrum and for me... Strat necks (and especially Jackson necks) hurt.

Gimme a Les Paul's baseball bat neck any day, lol.

[Absolution2009]

If I played that on a shooter game, I would be switching weapons left and right lol.

[Raziel66]

Yeah, that's why I decided to just buy a Mamba last night. I play too many shooters for the Naga to be worth using.

[graig78]

uh. that .. why didn't the just put all the keys on the top. imagine a mouse minus the regular mouse buttons. and just put keyboard buttons on top of the mouse in place of the regular mouse buttons. if they were like that, you could fit alot more buttons for one. and also you could stack them like a keypad.

[gary85739]

games=kids...they have small hands...for a while

[Guido179]

Actually the average gamer is in his mid-late 20's.

Instead of all those buttons on the mouse maybe they should look at a secondary device that could be used by the left hand. You know, maybe one with say 104 buttons... with numbers AND letters on them.

...this is made for those guys on the Burger King commercial with the small hands...

[supreme_primate]

Also being an owner of adult sized hands I will wait for the XL version. Perhaps a thumbstick or a hat switch would have been a better choice. Give up 4 buttons for some comfort.

[oghoul]

Ever since I got into the MMORPG-style of game (and RTS for that matter), I've been affected by what my fiance calls my "mouse fetish", in that every time a manufacturer ends up releasing a mouse with just one more button, I end up with it because I'm that much closer to how I'd like to play.

Currently, I'm using a Logitech G9x (with the new Setpoint 5.2 driver and custom ID Grip). This mouse has 9 programmable buttons if you include the DPI buttons and left/right scrolls. Between this and my Logitech G13 gamepad/keyboard/left hand extention, I have my entire action bar mapped out. I don't even have to think, I simply react.

The problem is however, the G9x isn't designed in a manner ergonomic to games and applications that require a large volume of commands.

I had also tried using the Logitech MX Revolution with the uber-Options drivers. While this also has me covered in the buttons department, the mouse is heavy and I can't get my thumb to register two completely different areas of the mouse and two completely different motions (thumb wheel and thumb buttons).

On a whim (and armed with a $50 gift card), I picked up a Razer Mamba... the packaging was *that* powerful. This mouse is a dead-tie with the G9x/ID Grip combo in terms of comfort for "normal" purposes. The downside is, we're only talking 7 buttons- and since I don't remap Mouse 1 or 2, that leaves 5, and action bar commands that aren't quickly accessible. Don't get me wrong, I love the Mamba (I'm currently using it at work), but it's not cutting it for MMORPG use for me.

I've held my Mamba up to the screenshots of the Naga, and they have an almost identical profile aside from the funky kick-out on the right side. Based on this, I'm fairly certain that the Naga is going to be a godsend for the style in which I play. With this 12 button keypad, my entire action bar is available to my right hand. This now frees up my left thumb (on the d-pad of my G13) for 6 other actions.

If this mouse functions as I think it will, those 12 buttons will be rather handy for shooters as well.

Personally, I can't wait for this mouse.

[oghoul]

I should also mention that my hands are on the larger size. I can easily do a 6-fret stretch on a guitar neck.

The Mamba's size is just about perfect, and I expect the Naga to be the same.

[Fil0403]

I recommend against going from a Logitech to a Razer, IMO you're leaving behind the best to get the good. Besides, if you have such big hands, I doubt you'll be able to easily use 12 buttons on a side of a mouse.

[Fil0403]

Next step: incorporate the whole keyboard in the mouse (don't laugh, though -- console controllers already have that).

[RazerNagaOwner]

I bought the Razer Naga MMO mouse just a few days ago to go along with my Alienware M17x laptop. I will be RETURNING the mouse to BestBuy on Black Friday for a full refund. WoW has consistantly locked up since switching to this mouse. I have tested it on 3 different PCs since purchasing, and it causes the game to lock up on all 3.

Out of the 12 buttions on the left side of the mouse, only about 6 are useable without contorting your hand/thumb in a rather unnatural/uncomfortable way.

Razer makes outstanding products, but this one fails.

- MetalDemon
[Rayne of Ice]
Senjin Server