The Sidewinder series of mice are back! Microsoft Hardware announced at the Leipzig Games Convention the revival of the brand, with the introduction of a new Microsoft SideWinder Mouse that will include one-touch access to Windows Vista Games Explorer, Quick Turn, the first-ever LCD on a mouse and a cable anchor that doubles as an accessories storage box.

The mouse will allow users to personalize it using an adjustable weight tray, DPI control, changeable mice feet with three materials for glide preference, and more. It will also allow gamers to record their own macros by tying a sequence of actions into one press of a button. This mouse is also the first to include a LCD on it that will display the DPI and steps for recording macros, without distracting the user within a game.

The SideWinder Gaming Mouse will be on sale in North America this October for $79.95. More details after the jump.

Nearly 5,000 Mice in One
The SideWinder Mouse lets gamers create an individual gaming system with tuning options that allow them to personalise their SideWinder Mouse, including an adjustable weight tray, changeable mice feet with three materials for glide preference, DPI control and new software features. The SideWinder Mouse lets gamers record their own macros by tying a sequence of actions into one press of a button. With all the features in this new mouse, gamers can transform their mouse into nearly 5,000 different mice from a single system.

These new features allow gamers to do the following:

• Turn on a dime. The new Quick Turn feature - a performance-enhancing macro - is built right into the software and lets users check their perimeter at any angle from wherever they are in the game with the click of a button.
  
• Choose the perfect weight. The SideWinder Mouse has a weight cartridge system and comes with four weights (up to 30 grams) so gamers can customise the weight of the mouse to their preference.
  
• Choose from three sets of feet to match gameplay preference. The SideWinder Mouse ships with three sets of feet, offering varied levels of glide depending on personal preference and the surface used.
  
• Instantly switch between DPI settings. A 2,000-DPI laser engine delivers super-fast response time, and three DPI switches behind the scroll wheel allow gamers to toggle between low-, medium- and high-sensitivity settings - in-game, at any time.

The First Gaming Mouse System
The SideWinder Mouse is more than a gaming mouse - it’s a gaming system. To complement the customisable options, this mouse has the following three innovative features to make it the ultimate gaming package:

• LCD. With the first LCD on a gaming mouse, gamers can easily keep track of key gaming actions - including their DPI and steps for recording macros - without being distracted from the game.
  
• Cable management system. The unique cable management system offers the feel of a wireless mouse with the connection speed of a wired mouse by holding the extra cable and preventing it from getting caught on other items on the desk. The cable management system doubles as a storage compartment for extra weights and feet.
  
• Quick-Launch. The new Quick-Launch button demonstrates the exceptional way in which Microsoft ties hardware and software together. When the Quick-Launch button is pressed from within Windows Vista, it will bring up the Windows Vista Games Explorer so gamers can instantly see the games available in their PC’s game library.

“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.”

Designed for Performance Handling
The SideWinder Mouse also features a unique design with key ergonomic elements designed to allow gamers hours of comfortable play. Features include the following:

• Two vertical side buttons. This side placement allows gamers to feel exactly which button they’re pressing, thereby reducing the risk of executing the wrong command midgame.
  
• A wide, detented metal scroll wheel. The wheel design helps gamers feel each movement as they scroll, and the wide metal finish adds elegance and control to the mouse.
  
• Balanced weight. Designed for quick, balanced, comfortable precision gaming action and painted black with a crimson-red stripe, the SideWinder Mouse has gamers in mind from top to bottom.