The Razer Naga series is probably one of the most iconic line-ups in Razer’s arsenal of gaming mice. First built as an MMO mouse, the Naga has since evolved into a multi-genre catering companion one can count on despite its usually steep price tag.
The main attraction of the Naga is the programmable thumb buttons that allow gamers to have more control over their game and characters. The aim is to get the right thumb to do some of the work by utilizing the side buttons, hence freeing the left hand from the agony of regularly needing to spread all fingers across the keyboard.
While it sounds simple, the Naga series can be intimidating to those uninitiated, though it can also be the most reliable companion in a multi-tasking required environment once you get the hang of it.
The new Razer Naga Pro gaming mouse has little difference compared to its predecessor, the Razer Naga Trinity. In fact, much of the Trinity design found its way into the Naga Pro schematics. The triple swappable control panels and the overall design of the Pro are identical to Trinity. The main differences are the Pro being both wired and wireless capable, while the Trinity is only wired, and the slight design change on one of the panels from the previous Hex design to two-row horizontal button placement.
The 3 panels it comes with are; a 2-button panel that once installed will become similar to the Razer Death Adder mouse, a 12-key number pad in a 3 x 4 template, and a smaller 6-key number pad lined-up in a 2 x 3 formation. The 3 designs are meant to cater to different video games genre – The 2-button panel more suited for FPS/Action, the 12-keys for MMORPGs, and the 6-keys for MOBA games.
Switching between the panels only takes several seconds max and the buttons on all three panels can be easily programmed and profiled using the Razer Synapse software.
With a Sensitivity ceiling of 20,000 DPI, the Naga Pro can easily meet the settings required in most competitive FPS games today. Pair it with the 2-button panel, you’d have a Razer Death Adder equivalent mouse in your hand. I don’t usually use such high sensitivity settings, but I can always have several sensitivity settings set under different profiles and swap between them when need be.
Weighing at 117 gram excluding dongle, the Naga Pro felt right when sitting under the palm. I found no problem resting my palm comfortably on it.
The battery life is impressive too, lasting 3 days before I charged it again. Speaking of charging it, I don’t understand why Razer didn’t include a charging dock for a mouse they are selling at such a premium price. Having a dock or not wouldn’t affect my gameplay, but it sure as hell will persuade justification for its 150 USD (RM 660 est) price tag.
Although designed to cater to multiple gaming genres, I’d say the MMORPG is where the Naga Pro shines the brightest. I usually play as a Supporter in MMOs (either Mage or Healer) and is in constant need to dish our multiple skills, buffs, debuffs, heals, and of course drinking potions. The thumb keys are where I usually bind my potions and buffs to, freeing my left hand to focus on more important and regularly used skills. Having the right thumb fully focussing on Potion Control and Buffs has allowed me to fully utilise my class in both raids and guild wars.
But as useful as it is, it wasn’t a simple plug and play experience for me when I got my first Naga mouse. My first Naga was the Naga Molten MMO mouse from almost 10 years ago. Using it as a regular mouse is not a problem at all, but to fully make use of the mouse as it was designed for, is a real challenge.
It didn’t work well at first. My right thumb was used to playing the role of a mouse grip for my hand, and to apply the force needed to move the device. It was awkward when I tried to make my thumb productive in a battle environment. But as I grew more confident and comfortable with the mouse, I was binding more functions to it. At the top of my usage with the Naga, I was supporting a team of 10 people, with 8 buttons mapped and actively used.
Among the games I’ve played using the Naga Pro are; Baldur’s Gate 3 (Early Access version), Final Fantasy XIV, Ragnarok Online Classic, and Rome Total War II. In all the games that I’ve tried, the mouse has managed to make gaming more convenient for me, but as I’ve said, the experience was best when used in an MMO game.
What I really liked about the Razer Naga Pro
[+] Swappable Panels.
[+] Good and premium feel build quality
[+] Wireless option is convenient for gaming on tv.
[+] The weight and design feels comfortable under the palm.
[+] Impressive battery life
[+] Easy to tap and responsive side buttons.
[+] Easy to program via Razer Synapse.
[+] Up to 20,000 DPI yo!
What I wished was better.
[+] Price Tag. This is not a cheap device.
[+] No charging dock, mehh.
The Razer Naga Pro will only benefit the most competitive players out there, especially for those in pursuit of perfect control under their fingertips. Even so, it will take them time to get used to the mouse before they are capable of any wizardry feats with it.
The steep price tag will remain a turn-off for some, but if you can afford it, the Naga Pro can be an absolutely reliable companion.
