Asus Chakram Gaming Mouse Sports a Programmable Joystick

Most high-end gaming mice have the same basic features like RGB lighting, high DPI, and lots and lots of buttons. The upcoming Asus ROG Chakram has all that, but it aims to set itself apart with a feature other mice don’t have: a joystick. It’s programmable and completely removable if you decide you don’t want it under your thumb.

This device supports wireless Qi charging, which is a universal standard unlike the wireless charging systems available for Logitech and Razer mice. So, you can use the same wireless charging pad for your mouse that you use for your phone. It also has a USB Type-C port for wired connectivity and fast charging. Again, that might be the same charger you use for your phone. Asus says the ROG Chakram can power-up enough in 15 minutes to support 12 hours of gameplay. A full charge lasts about 79 hours, or six and a half days of gameplay.

Asus’ claim to fame here is the joystick, positioned for the thumb on the edge of the mouse. It’s fully programmable and operates in either analog or digital modes. So, you could use it as a d-pad with four buttons to cycle weapons or peek around corners in a shooter. In analog mode, you can use it to look around in a flight sim or racing game.

While it doesn’t get as much attention as the joystick, Asus’ custom switch housing might be even more useful. You can pop off the left and right button covers to reveal the Omron switches underneath. The switches can be removed and replaced with new ones should anything go wrong with them. That could keep this spendy mouse working for a long time to come. Asus expects to ship the ROG Chakram later this month at $150.