Snakebyte makes some great accessories. The Twin:Charge X for example, is a personal favorite, making it easy to charge multiple Xbox controllers on the go.
The firm has been steadily branching out into various accessory markets over time, producing everything from headsets to stands and beyond, but this is the first accessory I've used from Snakebyte with a near-€100 asking price (€79.99 to be exact). And yes, that is in Euros, as this mouse doesn't seem to be available to buy outside of the EU as of writing. And honestly, maybe that's not a particularly bad thing. You can get far better mice at this asking price.
€80Bottom line: This is a budget mouse with a not-so-budget price, that should probably be avoided.
For
- Accurate pointer
- Good software with lots of features
- Option for custom branding
Against
- Childish design meets hefty adult bulk
- Unimpressive construction and materials at this price point
- Low ground clearance makes it awkward to maneuver
What I liked about the Game:Mouse Ultra
On paper, the Game:Mouse Ultra has some solid specs. The laser Snakebyte used is impressive enough, going up to 16,000 DPI with a 4-stage DPI changer button, below the scroll wheel as standard.
| Category | Spec |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 16000 DPI |
| Features | 12g customizable weight, braided cable, RGB lights |
| Buttons | Five programmable buttons, including DPI changer and two side buttons |
| Size | 13cm x 8cm x 4cm |
| Warranty | Five years (EU) |
The buttons all have good action, including the two side buttons and the scroll wheel. This a firmly right-handed mouse affair, though, with DPI indicator lights mounted solely on the left side of the mouse, and rubberized grips that favor right-handed users.
Perhaps the coolest aspect of this mouse is the fact Snakebyte will provide you with a "free" custom cover with personal branding of your choice, although part of me wonders if this isn't just factored into the retail price. The logo is also backlit by RGB, which is a really nice touch. I can see this being of particular interest to businesses who want to buy gaming mice in bulk for specific events, for example.
The software for customizing the mouse is solid too, and it also uploads the settings to the mouse's memory, so you don't have to keep the software open 24/7. You can change all of the buttons, as well as add spectrum cycling and other lighting effects to the mouse for that added pro-gamer touch.
As someone with average-sized hands, I found the mouse to be reasonably comfortable, if perhaps on the large side. Coming in from a Razer Lancehead, I wondered why the Game:Mouse Ultra was so heavy. It turns out that it has an adjustable weight system on the inside, with three removable 4-gram blocks, for some added customizability.
Snakebyte nails a lot of the basics with this mouse, but there are a couple of things I didn't like about it.
What I disliked about the Game:Mouse Ultra
Snakebyte's asking price for this mouse is 80 euros, which is around 87 dollars USD at the time of writing. That puts it firmly in league with some of the most popular gaming mice out there, like the Razer DeathAdder and Microsoft IntelliMouse Pro. That sort of asking price comes with a range of expectations Snakebyte simply doesn't meet here.
Designs are subjective, but the angularity and plastics grade gives the Game:Mouse Ultra a toy-like finish that sort of betrays its price point. There's nothing about the construction that makes me feel like it will break any time soon (and in the EU, it comes with a generous 5-year warranty to boot), but the style is something I might have used on a cheaper mouse aimed at youngsters.
The fact the cable is branded yellow to match Snakebyte's branding also clashes with the RGB, which, again, feels a little unpolished.
Also, initially, I was frustrated with the runners, which felt overly grippy. It turns out there's a film of protective plastic on them, but it's so flush that it's almost impossible to see, and frustratingly difficult to remove. If you pick up this mouse, it's just something worth being aware of.
Should you buy the Game:Mouse Ultra?
At this price point, there are a multitude of better mice out there that not only look nicer, but also feel nicer to use, often with better software features. If a mouse company wants to go up directly against Razer and other big-name brands on price, they had better match on features and quality, and sadly this mouse just doesn't cut it.
It's not a terrible mouse by any means, and if you're a business looking to get branded mice for a show, this could be an excellent option for you. Everybody else should probably just grab a Razer DeathAdder, though.
Not good enough.
While there are a few cool features on offer, Snakebyte prices itself out of the mouse market with the Game:Mouse Ultra.
