Microsoft has revived their SideWinder gaming brand with the introduction of a new mouse for the avid gaming enthusiast. Featuring a 2000dpi laser tracking sensor and a rather unique design, we take a look to see if it’s any good.

Recalling the SideWinder brand name out of the depths of the Microsoft dungeons is a very symbolic statement, showing Microsoft is no longer content to sit on the edge of the gaming peripheral market with their Intellimouse range, and perhaps their joint ventures with Razor and the resulting keyboards and mice have not been the smash hits they were expected to be among the gaming community. So perhaps resorting back to the tried and true SideWinder name will bring the fans back to the Microsoft way of life, then again, perhaps not, it will only work if the product lives up to the name.

Microsoft SideWinder Gaming Mouse

SideWinder gaming products of yesteryear were always excellent quality, amongst if not THE best on the market, with designs and features that gamers just loved. On my desk at home I still have and use a SideWinder Force Feedback Pro (original) joystick, I think the only game it gets used for is Battlefield 2 and 2142 for controlling the various aircraft, and even though it’s a lumping brick of a thing I still think it beats most models on the market today, and it’s still going strong after 7 or 8 years of use and abuse. So from the SideWinder brand we should expect, among other things, excellent functionality for the user, outstanding reliability and a good list of features, hopefully the new SideWinder Mouse can live up to its heritage.

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