Microsoft Revives SideWinder Mouse Line

At the Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany, Microsoft Hardware has announced the revival of its SideWinder line with its first gaming mouse built from the ground up.

The SideWinder Mouse features one-touch access to Windows Vista Games Explorer, Quick Turn - a performance-enhancing macro that lets users check their perimeter from wherever they are in-game, an LCD and a cable anchor that doubles as an accessories storage box. It lets gamers create an individual gaming system with tuning options that allow them to personalize their SideWinder Mouse, including an adjustable weight tray, changeable mice feet with three materials for glide preference, DPI control and new software features.

Gamers can record their own macros by tying a sequence of actions into one press of a button. It also features two vertical side buttons that allows gamers to feel exactly which button they're pressing and a wide, detented metal scroll wheel that helps gamers feel each movement as they scroll.

"We're taking gaming mice to a new level with a mouse created in direct response to gamer feedback from all over the world; it offers superior customization and performance handling," said Bill Jukes, product marketing manager for Microsoft Hardware. "We found that gamers are a lot like performance car enthusiasts. They like to tweak and tune their mouse to get it just right, and today we are giving them the tools to create a personalized experience that lets them focus on what’s important: being at the top of their game."

"Great games on Windows deserve great controllers, and the new Sidewinder Mouse delivers," said Kevin Unangst, director of Games for Windows at Microsoft. "The SideWinder Mouse is an ideal companion for every game, from your favorite PC classics to the upcoming releases ‘Crysis,’ ‘Hellgate: London,’ ‘World in Conflict’ and more."

Microsoft SideWinder Mouse will be available in October 2007 for an estimated retail price of $79.95 (U.S.), approximately Rs. 3276, and is now available for pre-sale on Amazon.com and will ship in October when the product is widely released.