Razer Boomslang 20th Anniversary: $1,337 Nostalgia Mouse Revealed
- Razer is revisiting its past with a limited-edition release of the Boomslang, the company’s first gaming mouse.
- The original Boomslang emerged when Razer was owned by kärna, with contributions to its design from both Robert “Razerguy” Krakoff and current Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan.
- While the exterior of the 20th Anniversary Boomslang retains the recognizable shape of the original, the internal components have been significantly upgraded.
Razer is revisiting its past with a limited-edition release of the Boomslang, the company’s first gaming mouse. Originally launched in , the Boomslang is being resurrected to celebrate Razer’s anniversary, though the announcement was initially made in December . The new iteration blends the iconic shape of the original with modern gaming technology, and will be available for pre-order starting .
The original Boomslang emerged when Razer was owned by kärna, with contributions to its design from both Robert “Razerguy” Krakoff and current Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan. Krakoff passed away in , but the revival of the Boomslang serves as a tribute to the early days of PC gaming peripherals. The mouse quickly gained a following among competitive gamers, despite the relatively nascent state of the gaming peripheral market at the time.
A Nostalgic Shell with Modern Internals
While the exterior of the 20th Anniversary Boomslang retains the recognizable shape of the original, the internal components have been significantly upgraded. The original’s mechanical ball tracking system has been replaced with a modern optical sensor. Razer has equipped the new Boomslang with its Focus Pro 25K optical sensor and Gen 4 optical switches, a substantial leap from the original’s 2,000 DPI maximum. The new mouse also boasts a polling rate of 8,000Hz, offering rapid communication between the mouse and the PC.
Beyond the core performance upgrades, the anniversary edition incorporates features common in modern gaming mice, including Razer’s Chroma RGB lighting and eight customizable controls. The mouse also supports wireless connectivity and can be recharged using the included Razer Mouse Dock Pro, which utilizes magnetic wireless charging. The left and right click buttons are covered in PU leather, and the mouse features a translucent emerald green plastic finish, a departure from the original’s sickly green hue.
Limited Availability and Collector’s Appeal
Razer is producing only units of the 20th Anniversary Boomslang globally, making it a highly limited and collectible item. The mouse will be sold exclusively through Razer’s official websites and retail stores. The price point, at $1,337, reflects its limited production run and collector’s appeal rather than a straightforward assessment of component costs. Razer stated the price is intentional, referencing the “leet speak” of the early internet.
The mouse will ship in a special PU leather case, further emphasizing its status as a collector’s item. Razer cautions that the Boomslang is not necessarily intended as a daily driver, and suggests that regular cleaning will be necessary to maintain the leather components. The company acknowledges that the mouse prioritizes nostalgia and design over the ergonomic advancements seen in modern gaming mice.
The revival of the Boomslang represents a unique approach to celebrating a company milestone. While it’s unlikely to displace modern gaming mice in terms of pure performance or ergonomics, the 20th Anniversary Edition offers a tangible connection to Razer’s origins and a piece of gaming history for dedicated collectors.