The SteelSeries Call of Duty: Black Ops II Gaming Mouse was a capable, unusually light gaming mouse for its 2012 era—but it is now most compelling as a Black Ops II collectible or a Sensei Raw-style period piece. A 2013 hands-on review praised its agility, clicks and smooth tracking, while noting an awkward side button and no adjustable weights. For modern competitive play, its legacy laser sensor and uncertain software support make it a poor choice at a premium.
What the Black Ops II mouse was
SteelSeries announced the officially licensed Call of Duty: Black Ops II Gaming Mouse on October 31, 2012, alongside three themed QcK mouse pads: Badge Edition, Orange Soldier Edition and Soldier Edition. The mouse was a standalone peripheral, not a game bundle. The Japanese launch report described it as a rubber-coated SteelSeries Sensei Raw variant, so the BO2 branding and finish distinguished an established mouse platform rather than introducing a new ergonomic design. HEXUS launch coverage and 4Gamer’s Japanese launch report document the original announcements.
Design, shape and build
The mouse has a symmetrical, ambidextrous shell with a rubberized surface, orange circuit-board-style accents, Black Ops II branding on the main button and an illuminated “II” detail. Orange lighting could be adjusted, including its pulsation. Its 2 m cable was described in launch material as double-braided nylon; the contemporary review called it cloth-wrapped. Those descriptions need not indicate different cables. Large glide feet were intended to keep movement smooth.
Symmetry makes the shape suitable for either hand in principle, but it does not make every control equally convenient for both. The side buttons on both flanks can be useful to users who switch hands, yet they may also be easy to press accidentally depending on grip. Hardware Secrets’ 2013 reviewer found the ring-finger-position button awkward to reach. That reviewer favored palm grip, while finding the mouse light enough to work for claw grip; at 125.5 mm long and 68.3 mm wide, it is worth comparing those dimensions with a familiar mouse before buying, especially for fingertip use. Hardware Secrets’ hands-on assessment discusses grip and button use.
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#1 Best Overall
- Smooth cloth surface
- Non-slip rubber base
- Original game graphics
- Medium sized mousepad
Specifications
| Feature | Historical specification |
|---|---|
| Sensor | Avago 9500-class laser sensor, identified as Avago 9500 in the contemporary review |
| Maximum sensitivity | 5,670 DPI in the review; 5,700 CPI in SteelSeries launch material. The figures are best treated as approximately 5,700 CPI, with differing source precision. |
| Rated tracking speed | 150 inches per second |
| Rated acceleration | 30 G |
| Connection | Wired USB 2.0 |
| Cable | 2 m / 6.5 ft; launch material says double-braided nylon, while the review says cloth-wrapped |
| Controls | Seven programmable buttons/functions as reported in product material |
| Dimensions | Approximately 125.5 × 68.3 × 38.7 mm |
| Weight | Approximately 90 g / 3.2 oz, excluding cable unless otherwise stated |
| Feet | Large UPE/Teflon-style glide feet; terminology varies by source |
| Original U.S. launch price | $69.99 MSRP, not a current resale benchmark |
The specifications are drawn from Hardware Secrets’ specification page and the launch announcement reproduced by HEXUS. A Japanese launch report listed ¥7,980 including tax; it is a historical, region-specific price, not a current value. Hardware Secrets recorded a $58 average U.S. street price from Newegg listings at the time of its 2013 review, also not a present-day price.
How it performed in its era
In its 2013 testing, Hardware Secrets found the mouse exceptionally light and agile, with excellent click feel and smooth, accurate small movements. It also glided well on the accompanying QcK-style cloth surface. The reviewer used lower sensitivity for precision shooting and higher sensitivity for more action-heavy play, and considered two sensitivity levels sufficient in actual play. Those are that reviewer’s observations and settings, not a universal setup recommendation.
Rank #2
- Perfect for all Battle Royale, FPS, MOBA, MMO, and other fast-paced games.
- TrueMove Air precision optical gaming sensor with true 1-to-1 tracking.
- Ergonomic 9-button programmable layout with 5 quick action side buttons.
- 85g competitive lightweight and extra durable.
- Next-gen Golden Micro IP54 Switches.
The main handling compromises were the awkward ring-finger button and the lack of a weight-adjustment system. The approximately 5,700-CPI ceiling was a striking marketing figure for the period, but maximum CPI alone does not establish tracking quality. This is an older laser-sensor design; the available historical testing does not establish modern competitive performance or support claims about specific behaviors such as prediction or smoothing.
What SteelSeries Engine offered
The mouse could work as a basic USB pointing device without configuration, but the contemporary review said full configuration required downloading SteelSeries software and that no CD was included. The historically reported Engine features included button remapping, keyboard-and-mouse macros, game-specific profiles linked to an executable, custom sensitivity levels, orange-lighting intensity and pulsation controls, and a preconfigured Black Ops II profile. Launch material advertised unlimited profiles and macros and usage statistics for button presses. The review found the software relatively straightforward, though first-time users might need to explore its interface. Hardware Secrets’ software coverage describes the setup.
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- DUAL WIRELESS — Switch between gaming-grade 2.4GHz wireless connection and Bluetooth for other devices
- FASTER THAN EVER — No wires, no limits; outpace the competition with super responsive 1.9ms click latency
- TRUE 1-TO-1 TRACKING — TrueMove Air 18K Optical Sensor accurately reflects your most precise movements to land your most accurate shots
- 60M CLICK DURABILITY — Incredible durability with a built-to-last, tough switch that won't lose its crispy clicks
- UP TO 200 HR BATTERY — With 2.4GHz lasting 200 hours (450 on Bluetooth) get the most out of Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2; lighten the load by 11g with just one AAA battery
Those are period features, not a promise that current SteelSeries GG software will recognize or configure this legacy model. Old software may not install cleanly on a current operating system, and profile, macro and lighting behavior should not be assumed to work today. If you only need ordinary pointer and click functions, test that basic use first rather than making a purchase depend on recreating the original profile.
Buying one used in 2026
For a used example, condition matters more than its original sensitivity rating. Ask the seller to demonstrate the controls and test the unit on the computer you intend to use. Check:
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- Call of Duty Black Ops 2 Mousepads
- 7.75" x 9.25" x 1/8"
- $2 More for Faster Delevery
- Clicks: Test left and right buttons for missed clicks, inconsistent actuation or unintended double-clicking.
- Scroll wheel: Scroll in both directions and test the middle click.
- Side and sensitivity buttons: Test every control, including the ring-finger-position button and CPI switching.
- Cable: Move the mouse while gently flexing the cable near the shell and USB plug; watch for cursor interruptions.
- Feet: Look for missing or unevenly worn glide pads and exposed adhesive.
- Rubber coating: Check for tackiness, peeling, bubbling or other deterioration.
- Lighting: Confirm the orange illumination works consistently and does not flicker.
- Profiles: Do not assume settings are stored onboard; ask the seller to demonstrate any configuration you need.
- Collector completeness: Box, manuals, original accessories or a themed mouse pad may matter to a collector, but not necessarily to someone seeking a working mouse.
The product’s original U.S. MSRP was $69.99, while the 2013 review reported a $58 average street price; neither figure tells you what a particular used unit is worth now. No verified current official SteelSeries purchase page or resale benchmark is established here, so judge any asking price against condition and your reason for wanting it rather than treating those historical prices as today’s market value.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who should buy it—and who should skip it
- Buy or consider it: Black Ops II collectors, fans building a period-correct PC setup, and Sensei Raw enthusiasts who specifically want the themed shell and can verify the mouse’s condition.
- Maybe: Someone seeking a basic wired mouse who finds a tested example at a modest price and does not depend on legacy configuration software.
- Skip it: Competitive FPS players seeking current sensor performance, anyone who needs wireless use or dependable modern configuration support, and buyers paying a premium solely for the word “gaming.”
Modern alternatives for practical play
| Mouse | Published details | How it differs from the BO2 mouse |
|---|---|---|
| Razer Viper Mini | 61 g, 8,500 DPI optical sensor, six programmable buttons, onboard profile storage and PTFE feet. The product page targets small-to-medium hands and claw or fingertip grips; no reliable current price is stated here. | A much lighter modern wired option for readers prioritizing a symmetrical shape, but smaller and not a substitute for the Sensei Raw form or seven-button bilateral layout. |
| Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed | 82 g, Focus Pro 30K optical sensor and claimed battery life up to 280 hours. Razer’s U.S. store listed it at $69.99 when observed in August 2026. | A current wireless option with a substantially newer sensor platform, but it lacks the BO2 collector appeal and does not necessarily reproduce the Sensei Raw shape. |
These alternatives are for readers who want practical current hardware rather than the licensed design. The Viper Mini page is Razer’s product listing; the Viper V3 HyperSpeed details and observed U.S. price are on Razer’s product page.
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