Although not the only companies to release new gaming peripherals in the last few days, Microsoft and Razer have likely launched those that will be the most successful. At this year’s Games Convention in Leipzig, Microsoft unleashed two new products: the SideWinder X6 keyboard and the SideWinder X5 mouse. Last year, when we were still a part of GotFrag, we were first to bring pictures and coverage of Microsoft’s re-entry into the gaming peripheral market with the SideWinder mouse. Microsoft is continuing with the rebirth of the SideWinder brand with these two new peripherals.
The SideWinder X5 mouse is very similar to the original SideWinder mouse, with the only difference being the lack of the LCD displaying the current dpi setting and the adjustable weight cartridge. The shape appears to be identical to the original, so those who have always wanted the SideWinder mouse can probably get about the same thing at a slightly lower price. The SideWinder X6 keyboard is a rather interesting entry into what some would say is an overcrowded market. The X6 features a removable number pad, which will surely please gamers who would like to have a smaller form factor when gaming, but still enjoy the productivity advantages of a number pad. The keyboard is largely programmable with macros, and has a neat new feature called Cruise Control, which seems to do the same thing has those little “rapid fire” switches on the old Sega Genesis controllers (and Super Nintendo) (and I GUESS Cruise Control in your car).
Razer’s new product is called the Megalodon Headset. This latest device from Razer uses something called the Maelstrom Engine to produce a 7.1 surround sound effect way more convincing than any other headset. The headset itself is pretty snazzy looking. It features larger cans so your ears don’t feel like they’re being squished, and the Maelstrom Engine itself is enclosed in a sleek control pod (similar to that found on the Mako 2.1 speakers). The Megalodon should be available soon for a price of US $150, which is steep, but probably worth it if recent Razer audio products are any indication.
We’ll see if we can post a roundup of all of the peripherals that have been launched by various companies over the past week.



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“The Megalodon should be available soon for a price of US $150, which is steep, but probably worth it if recent Razer audio products are any indication.”
I really wouldn’t go that far… They’ve certainly made a step in the right direction with recent product releases, but you have to expect a lot for $150. There is no way I can see this being worth it seeing as how “surround sound” headphones really have no positional advantage over a decent set of headphones and a soundcard. And outside of gaming they are horrid.
I must admit I was a bit of a fan of the sidewinder mouse, not because i thought it was a great mouse, but because those side buttons were an very interesting idea. The mouse seemed pretty original apart from the gimicky LCD display and the weight cartridge, and ulgyness of the thing (I can’t comment on the shape because I haven’t used it). This new revision doesn’t seem to offer anything really new over the old sidewinder so I’m not sure it will be very popular. But until my Microsoft Explorer 3.0 dies or doesn’t do want I want it do do, I won’t be buying any of the new gen mouses.
The Sidewinder keyboard looks okay I guess but really, we’ve seen it all before. My $22 Logitech serves me well