Razer’s decision to bring back the Boomslang for its 20th anniversary leans heavily on the nostalgia surrounding one of the earliest attempts to build a mouse specifically for competitive play. The original Boomslang arrived in 1999, at a time when PC gaming hardware was still fragmented and most peripherals were repurposed office tools. Its unusual, elongated form factor and high-DPI sensor drew attention among early esports communities, eventually earning it a reputation that lasted long after it left store shelves. The anniversary edition revisits that history while updating the hardware to meet current expectations for a modern gaming mouse.
The new Boomslang keeps the snake-inspired silhouette that made the original stand out, but the updated version introduces a mix of semi-transparent components and leather-covered primary buttons. It moves away from the wired setup of its predecessor and adopts wireless connectivity along with wireless charging, a shift that reflects how common cable-free setups have become in the broader accessories market. The inclusion of the company’s Gen 4 optical switches and a Gen 2 Focus Pro 25K optical sensor places the device within the performance range expected of contemporary gaming mice, though these specifications are now standard across many mid- to high-end models, making the Boomslang’s main distinction its design heritage rather than cutting-edge capability.
Additional features such as Chroma RGB lighting and eight programmable controls round out the mouse, while compatibility with the Mouse Dock Pro enables HyperPolling support up to 8,000 Hz. High polling rates remain a debated metric in gaming circles; some players value the theoretical responsiveness gains, while others find diminishing returns beyond 1,000 Hz. Here, the Boomslang appears positioned more as a collector’s item that also delivers modern baseline performance, rather than a device aiming to reset competitive standards.
Only 1,337 units of the Boomslang 20th Anniversary Edition will be produced, reinforcing its role as a limited release. The company has yet to confirm a launch date or pricing, and availability will be restricted to its official retail channels. For long-time PC gamers, the relaunch offers a look back at one of the earliest attempts to define what a gaming-focused mouse could be, while leaving room to compare how far the category has come in terms of ergonomics, materials, and sensor development.
