World of Warcraft: Cataclysm mouse ready for raiding

“$79.99 for a mouse?” you may be asking. “I could buy like 20 mice for that amount, and have money left over for the paint to write 'World of Warcraft' on them!” That's an industrious solution, but the Legendary Edition of SteelSeries' World of Warcraft MMO Gaming Mouse isn't just a point-and-click tool with some branding slapped over the top. Yes, the company offers the peripheral as a “smaller, less complex” version of its World of Warcraft and Cataclysm mice – but in this case, “less complex” means “11 buttons instead of 14.”

The mouse offers 16.8 million illumination options – of which, realistically, you're liable to use about 3. The time saved by picking a cosmetic option and sticking to it can then be poured into exploring the mouse's considerable depth of customization options, with 11 ergonomically-placed buttons that are programmable with over 130 preset actions. The mouse also comes with software to allow you to design your own in-game macros.

SteelSeries took pains to assure you that its mouse offers a scanning rate of 3,600fps and up to 3,200 counts per inch; however, such technical exactitude is a little redundant given that the mouse's bitchin' fiery-lightning paint-job makes its supersonic speed and power more than apparent. SteelSeries based the design on Cataclysm's Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker, though it also looks a lot like the van you see parked at every rock show and must never, ever get into. Far safer to stick to the mouse, which will be available online and at participating retailers come September.

Aug 8, 2011