Razer Nostromo - Expert Gaming Keypad

"Whether your passion lies in FPS, MMORPG, or RTS games, the Razer Nostromo® gaming keypad is designed to give you the upper hand with cutting edge ergonomics designed for intuitive game control while you play in complete comfort. With an arsenal of tournament-grade controls including 16 fully programmable Hyperesponse keys, 8 keymaps that you can switch between on the fly, and an 8-way directional thumb pad all integrated into one dedicated gaming keypad, you're prepared to take on all challengers." www.razerzone.com

The hallmark of a true professional gamer is the ability to dominate their opposition in any environment, no matter what the conditions. For the rest of us 'mere mortals', Razer have recently developed a breakthrough in compact gaming, the Nostromo Gaming Keypad.

As an fps gamer, I am highly reliant on all of my gaming peripherals. I am a slower, more deliberate player who chooses to opt for a low mouse sensitivity to ensure both precision and accuracy on the battlefield. Unfortunately, the desk on which I play does not afford me the level of space required for a low-sens gamer – it's quite cramped!

So, when I discovered that Razer had released the Nostromo, I was quick to get my hot little hands on one and try it for myself. Thank god for express shipping!

Technical Specifications

- Ergonomic form factor and tournament-grade layout
- 16 fully programmable Hyperesponse keys
- Programmable 8-way directional thumb pad and scroll wheel
- Instantaneous switching between 8 key maps
- Unlimited macro lengths
- Stores up to 20 different game profiles
- Adjustable soft-touch wrist pad for exceptional comfort
- Backlit keypad and scroll wheel for total control even in dark conditions
- Enhanced Razer configuration software
- Approximate dimensions in mm: 184(L) x 160(W) x 59(H)
- Approximate weight: 250g

Hardware Requirements

PC with USB port
Windows® 7 / Windows Vista® / Windows® XP
Internet connection (for driver installation)

When the package arrived at my house, I was eager to break it open!


First impressions are the most important!

Razer definitely never disappoint when it comes to packaging. Opening the front cover revealed what looked like some forbidden piece of alien tech sent to me by some benevolent gaming god. I wasted no time in taking my new toy out and inspecting the contents of the package.

Package Contents

- Certificate of Authenticity
- Quick Start Guide
- Master Guide
- Stickers
- Product Catalogue
- Nostromo Gaming Keypad

Initially, I found the Nostromo rather strange to use; my muscle memory was still quite used to my old, rage-damaged G19. However, after spending a little bit of time experimenting with the Nostromo configuration software, I found a setting that I was comfortable with and began to play. In no time at all, I was comfortable using the Nostromo; it allowed me to glide about the battlefield with ease.

The Nostromo has a modular hand-rest with two settings, to cater for those like me with big hands ** and also those with smaller clappers. Lit up in the typical Razer neon-blue fashion, it looks resplendent sitting on my desktop... wait, I have actually HAVE a desktop now!

The Nostromo also comes standard with a cleverly placed directional pad sitting within range of the thumb. Initially, I was intrigued by the novelty of it, but I struggled to find a real use for it, so I simply set all of the D-pad directions to my jump key, to guarantee that I would hit it every time. Below the thumb also rests another key which I daresay Razer intended to function as a replacement for the spacebar. When using my old keyboard, my thumb would sit below the spacebar whereas on the Nostromo, it sits above this key. I found this feature hardest to adjust to.


The thumb button is situated below where my thumb sits – not what I'm used to!


The Nostromo's 16 Hyperresponse™ keys boast a whopping 1000 Hz ultrapolling rate – and they're damn comfortable, too!



Final Verdict

All in all, I would have to say that Razer have done quite well with this release; the Nostromo caters well to those with stringent space requirements, or who simply want a more gaming-focused peripheral to get the upper hand over their enemies. At about the price of your average gaming mouse, it's a worthwhile investment if you fit either of the above descriptions. For more information on this product and many more Razer products, head over to www.store.razerzone.com and see for yourself!

Keep your eyes peeled for more product reviews by the team here at mindfreak-esports.com!

Mitch 'Uber' Leslie

Mindfreak eSports

nice presto will be very pleased

Hahaha, finally some recognition after using it for like 1-2years rofl

thats one sexy hand

Also, takes about a day to get used to... well playable anyway...
Just a few things:
I use smallest size, cause of my baby hands.
I use Thumb pad Right for prone (downwards)
Thumb pad Down for flash (towards myself)
and i use the little circle above the thumbpad (which is alt) as jump as my hand doesn't reach 15 aka the space bar...again due to my baby hands

Only downfall is that if you get used to it... it is near impossible to go back to a keyboard...
That being said, i deff recommend it to everyone, and nice writeup Uber.

what do you do with the other hand while playing?

Presto I love you.
Big review Mitch Leslie you stud,

umm.... that would be on a mouse.

Welldone mitch 10/10 very impressed might even get one to try it out

lol, the only time I can see this coming in handy is at a LAN, and even then it's hardly practical.

Good review.

Such a ridiculously niche market for something like this though. I haven't heard of anyone using a Nostronomo pad since ~03. When some daddy gamer i played Ghost Recon with used one(it was probably reLapse now that i think about it).

I don't even think tal would buy this, and he buys every gaming gimmick.

prestos got one doesnt he?

Such a qt <3 Johnny
Yeah ive had one since i started playing competitively like +1year ago...

OH PRESTO, RECOGNITION HAHA

Probably my dad from TOG.

also nice write up uber