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I used to think Nikons were only for grandpas — but the Z5II just converted me

I used to think Nikons were only for grandpas — but the Z5II just converted me

Tom's Guide6 hours ago

Listen, I'm not a Nikon hater. In fact, I own two vintage Nikon film cameras (only one of which now works). I know as well as anyone that Nikon makes some of the best cameras, which produce lovely images.
As it happens, we also use two Nikon Z7IIs for our product photography here in the Tom's Guide U.K. review studio. And that's precisely because of the imaging excellence — the 45MP sensor gives plenty of space for cropping, and Nikkor glass is sharp enough to meet professional standards.
However, I've just never really felt compelled to buy a modern Nikon. I know this is subjective, but they're just, well… boring. The Z f aside, today's Nikons don't have the charm of Fujifilm, or the cool 'content creator' factor of Sony. I genuinely don't ever remember seeing a young person with a Nikon.
When I think of Nikon cameras, I see the Toyota Corolla. Well made, competent at its job, prime taxi fodder. But hardly a buttock-clenching drive. A grandad car.
It's really difficult to fault the Nikon Z5II, especially on value for money. While it doesn't offer some of the elite features of its bigger brother, the Z6III, there's still plenty of pro features on offer here at a surprisingly low price tag.
This week, though, I may have finally shaken my Nikon prejudice. I've spent the last few days testing the Nikon Z5II for my upcoming review, and I'm really struggling to think of reasons why you wouldn't buy this camera. Maybe it's that I'm older now than I ever have been. Or maybe it's because the Z5II offers simply unbeatable value for money.
We loved the Nikon Z6III when we tested it last year. It's a true professional hybrid, jam-packed full of pro features for both stills and video. I'm talking subject detection AF, 120fps drive, 6K internal RAW internal. It's a damned powerhouse.
The Z5II is not that. But neither is it far off. My personal camera — currently a Fujifilm X-T5 — is used for architecture photography (my hobby) and location product photography (my work). I don't need all the features of the Z6III, but I do need beautiful images, dual card slots, IBIS, strong subject detection AF and excellent handling when shooting at pace.
Like the $2,499 Z6III, the Z5II delivers all of those things, only at a much, much lower price tag of $1,699. If you're an enthusiast, semi-professional or even a pro photographer, the Z5II offers a hell of a lot for the money, and ought to be top of your shortlist.
The closest non-Nikon competitor is the $2,199 Canon EOS R6 Mark II, which is very similarly specced. The Canon's AF is in a different league, but that's not to say the Z5II's is poor. And I'm not sure the delta between the two is worth the $500 Canon premium.
Of course, there's the higher-res Sony A7 IV, the 33MP king of the mid-market full frame domain. But with an MSRP of $2,499, the Z5II likewise has the A7IV undercut so heavily that it's difficult to justify spending that much more for 8.5 more megapixels.
Two days into testing, I took the Z5II on a press trip to Frankfurt, photographing a new product at a busy event full of other journalists and content creators. It was a bit of a scramble getting to the product, and when I did, I was usually at an odd angle.
In those situations, a camera must handle intuitively — you don't have time to be messing around finding settings. The Z5II was one of the easiest cameras I've used on shoot.
The grip is comfortable, the layout sensible. Almost all of the rear is remappable, and instead of locating Fn buttons along the top plate, as you'll find on many of the best mirrorless cameras, there are two Fn buttons inside the grip, near the lens — just like the Fujifilm GFX100 II. In my opinion, this is the most intuitive place to host Fn buttons, removing the need to awkwardly bend a finger up onto and across the top plate.
Despite its price, the Z5II handles like a professional camera. It was an excellent compadre for on-location photography, and I've no doubt it'll excel in a studio or wedding environment too.
As I mentioned above, my primary camera is the Fujifilm X-T5. It's a competent performer for work, but also serves my personal needs very well.
I shoot in black and white, so a driving factor in my personal camera choices is the quality of the mono profiles. I like to see my color profile applied through the EVF while shooting, to work with contrast and shadows as I frame and expose.
This is a major reason for using Fujifilm, as I've not found anything (except maybe the Leica Monochrom) that fires up my inspiration quite like Acros — high contrast, sharp shadows; for shooting a monolithic slab of concrete on a bright sunny day, there's little better.
That said, using Nikon's mono profiles on a blistering sunny day in Frankfurt proved a surprising treat. The Deep Mono profile in particular, is just marvelous for architecture, with plenty of contrast.
It naturally lacks the filmic quality of Acros, but only complemented Frankfurt's sleek modernist and neo-futurist architecture.
Tellingly, I had my Fujifilm with me that day, but dropped it back at the hotel after seeing the Z5II's output.
I got my first Fujifilm 10 years ago, and I've owned five Fujis in total. I've experimented with other cameras, but in the last few years have rarely thought about switching brands permanently, least of all to Nikon.
The Z5II has me really considering what I need long term, though. For light or semi-professional work, it's a phenomenal camera for the money. There isn't anywhere else you can get a new camera with this balance of full frame goodness and pro features for just $1,699.
Poignantly, the camera world is currently in the midst of debating the Fujifilm X-E5, which costs $1,699 body only. As an X-E lover, that price tag has me sorely disappointed anyway, but especially so when considering how much camera you're getting for the same money with the Z5II.
Counter to my age-related jibes earlier on, I actually think the Z5II is the ideal camera for young photographers, too. Straight out of a photography course, or upgrading to your first full frame mirrorless for commissions? What an incredible investment the Z5II would make to help your career blossom.
Have I just become a Nikon shooter? I'm closer to 40 than 20 now, I guess, so it would make sense.

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I used to think Nikons were only for grandpas — but the Z5II just converted me
I used to think Nikons were only for grandpas — but the Z5II just converted me

Tom's Guide

time6 hours ago

  • Tom's Guide

I used to think Nikons were only for grandpas — but the Z5II just converted me

Listen, I'm not a Nikon hater. In fact, I own two vintage Nikon film cameras (only one of which now works). I know as well as anyone that Nikon makes some of the best cameras, which produce lovely images. As it happens, we also use two Nikon Z7IIs for our product photography here in the Tom's Guide U.K. review studio. And that's precisely because of the imaging excellence — the 45MP sensor gives plenty of space for cropping, and Nikkor glass is sharp enough to meet professional standards. However, I've just never really felt compelled to buy a modern Nikon. I know this is subjective, but they're just, well… boring. The Z f aside, today's Nikons don't have the charm of Fujifilm, or the cool 'content creator' factor of Sony. I genuinely don't ever remember seeing a young person with a Nikon. When I think of Nikon cameras, I see the Toyota Corolla. Well made, competent at its job, prime taxi fodder. But hardly a buttock-clenching drive. A grandad car. It's really difficult to fault the Nikon Z5II, especially on value for money. While it doesn't offer some of the elite features of its bigger brother, the Z6III, there's still plenty of pro features on offer here at a surprisingly low price tag. This week, though, I may have finally shaken my Nikon prejudice. I've spent the last few days testing the Nikon Z5II for my upcoming review, and I'm really struggling to think of reasons why you wouldn't buy this camera. Maybe it's that I'm older now than I ever have been. Or maybe it's because the Z5II offers simply unbeatable value for money. We loved the Nikon Z6III when we tested it last year. It's a true professional hybrid, jam-packed full of pro features for both stills and video. I'm talking subject detection AF, 120fps drive, 6K internal RAW internal. It's a damned powerhouse. The Z5II is not that. But neither is it far off. My personal camera — currently a Fujifilm X-T5 — is used for architecture photography (my hobby) and location product photography (my work). I don't need all the features of the Z6III, but I do need beautiful images, dual card slots, IBIS, strong subject detection AF and excellent handling when shooting at pace. Like the $2,499 Z6III, the Z5II delivers all of those things, only at a much, much lower price tag of $1,699. If you're an enthusiast, semi-professional or even a pro photographer, the Z5II offers a hell of a lot for the money, and ought to be top of your shortlist. The closest non-Nikon competitor is the $2,199 Canon EOS R6 Mark II, which is very similarly specced. The Canon's AF is in a different league, but that's not to say the Z5II's is poor. And I'm not sure the delta between the two is worth the $500 Canon premium. Of course, there's the higher-res Sony A7 IV, the 33MP king of the mid-market full frame domain. But with an MSRP of $2,499, the Z5II likewise has the A7IV undercut so heavily that it's difficult to justify spending that much more for 8.5 more megapixels. Two days into testing, I took the Z5II on a press trip to Frankfurt, photographing a new product at a busy event full of other journalists and content creators. It was a bit of a scramble getting to the product, and when I did, I was usually at an odd angle. In those situations, a camera must handle intuitively — you don't have time to be messing around finding settings. The Z5II was one of the easiest cameras I've used on shoot. The grip is comfortable, the layout sensible. Almost all of the rear is remappable, and instead of locating Fn buttons along the top plate, as you'll find on many of the best mirrorless cameras, there are two Fn buttons inside the grip, near the lens — just like the Fujifilm GFX100 II. In my opinion, this is the most intuitive place to host Fn buttons, removing the need to awkwardly bend a finger up onto and across the top plate. Despite its price, the Z5II handles like a professional camera. It was an excellent compadre for on-location photography, and I've no doubt it'll excel in a studio or wedding environment too. As I mentioned above, my primary camera is the Fujifilm X-T5. It's a competent performer for work, but also serves my personal needs very well. I shoot in black and white, so a driving factor in my personal camera choices is the quality of the mono profiles. I like to see my color profile applied through the EVF while shooting, to work with contrast and shadows as I frame and expose. This is a major reason for using Fujifilm, as I've not found anything (except maybe the Leica Monochrom) that fires up my inspiration quite like Acros — high contrast, sharp shadows; for shooting a monolithic slab of concrete on a bright sunny day, there's little better. That said, using Nikon's mono profiles on a blistering sunny day in Frankfurt proved a surprising treat. The Deep Mono profile in particular, is just marvelous for architecture, with plenty of contrast. It naturally lacks the filmic quality of Acros, but only complemented Frankfurt's sleek modernist and neo-futurist architecture. Tellingly, I had my Fujifilm with me that day, but dropped it back at the hotel after seeing the Z5II's output. I got my first Fujifilm 10 years ago, and I've owned five Fujis in total. I've experimented with other cameras, but in the last few years have rarely thought about switching brands permanently, least of all to Nikon. The Z5II has me really considering what I need long term, though. For light or semi-professional work, it's a phenomenal camera for the money. There isn't anywhere else you can get a new camera with this balance of full frame goodness and pro features for just $1,699. Poignantly, the camera world is currently in the midst of debating the Fujifilm X-E5, which costs $1,699 body only. As an X-E lover, that price tag has me sorely disappointed anyway, but especially so when considering how much camera you're getting for the same money with the Z5II. Counter to my age-related jibes earlier on, I actually think the Z5II is the ideal camera for young photographers, too. Straight out of a photography course, or upgrading to your first full frame mirrorless for commissions? What an incredible investment the Z5II would make to help your career blossom. Have I just become a Nikon shooter? I'm closer to 40 than 20 now, I guess, so it would make sense.

Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge vs. Shark HydroVac Floor Cleaner — which one wins?
Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge vs. Shark HydroVac Floor Cleaner — which one wins?

Tom's Guide

time8 hours ago

  • Tom's Guide

Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge vs. Shark HydroVac Floor Cleaner — which one wins?

BISSELL CrossWave OmniForce Edge Not only can this Bissell vacuum and mop hard floors and area rugs, but can switch to vacuum-only mode. This also comes with an anti-tangle brush head, zerogap edge tech, and a self-cleaning/charging feature. It's also easy to use with intuitive controls and LED display to show real-time information. Shark HydroVac MessMaster This 3-in-1 floor cleaner can vacuum, mop and self-clean at the same time. It also has the option to clean area rugs. With its powerful suction to tackle dirt and debris, wet messes, and stains in no time. It also comes with an antibacterial brush roller and odor neutralizing solution to eliminate lingering smells. When it comes to ensuring our floors are clean and spotless, having one of the best vacuum cleaners is essential. And if you have mainly hard flooring, wet-and-dry vacuum cleaners can do all the hard work for you, saving you the back-breaking task of traditional mopping. As Homes editor at Tom's Guide, I've tested my fair share of wet and dry vacuums, including the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge and Shark HydroVac MessMaster 3-in-1 Floor cleaner on my hard floors. And while these are both popular brands on the market, which wet-and-dry vacuum is better? In fact, choosing between the two will all depend on your needs and budget. And despite only having a $100 price difference, you'll find that both have unique functions. The Bissell stands out for having a separate vacuum-only mode, while the Shark HydroVac MessMaster has odor neutralizer technology. Both have self-cleaning functions which are always handy for hygiene, convenience and long-term maintenance. To help you decide which wet-and-dry cleaner is right for your home however, here's our Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge vs. Shark HydroVac Floor Cleaner verdict. The Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge cleaner is available for $399 on Amazon. In contrast, the Shark HydroVac Messmaster currently costs $249 on Amazon and on Shark's website. That's not a huge price difference, however, so you'll need to consider both specs, and types of flooring. Also, look out for deals, as these models are often on sale. Shark HydroVac Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge Price $299 $399 Weight 8 pounds 10 pounds Water tank capacity 0.38 quarts 1 quart Battery runtime Up to 35 minutes Up to 30 minutes The Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge has a sleek, slimline design and smallish floorhead. It comes with a motorized wet/dry roller heads that pick up liquids and debris. The handle is easy to grip, with four push buttons that include the power, dry-vac mode, hydration mode and self-cleaning cycle. There's also an intuitive LCD screen that gives you real-time information about when to fill the water tank, levels of hydration and battery indicator. Perhaps, the only downsides are that the CrossWave OmniForce Edge doesn't come with extra accessories, such as a spare brush roller —just a charging pad. And it doesn't have any smart features. However, this isn't a real deal breaker. Despite its slim appearance though, Bissell's vacuum is heavier than the Shark HydroVac, weighing in at 10 pounds. On the other hand, the Shark HydroVac cleaner has a more attractive, sturdy design with a nice rose-gold color. It also comes with two, antibacterial brush rollers, and there's an odor neutralizer feature to banish lingering odors. Like all wet-and-dry vacs, both come with a two-tank system — one for clean water and the dirty water canister. Bissell's tank is noticeably larger than the Shark's, which you might want to consider if you have a lot of heavy-duty cleaning to do. What's more, they both have a self-rinse system, that ensures the vacuums remain clean and always in top-notch condition. This also means you'll never have to get your hands messy, when handling dirty water. In addition, it's simple to detach the brush rollers should you need to deep clean or replace. In terms of who wins, however, the Shark HydroVac MessMaster floor cleaner is certainly more eye-catching, and appealing. Winner: Shark HydroVac MessMaster Setting up the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge was super easy, and took just minutes. You simply detach the water canister from the vacuum body, fill to the line with clean water, and add the cleaning solution that is provided. The power button on the handle turns on the LCD display that gives you basic indicators like the battery indicator, hydration levels and when to fill or empty the water tanks. It also took me by surprise with its signature "chime," as you power it on and off. Unlike the Shark floor cleaner, the clear, dirty tank is located at the front of the cleaner, and it's easy to detach the tank and empty out after use. The Shark HydroVac is also easy to set up with a simple click-and-lock. Bear in mind the water tank is located at the front of the cleaner, and it also comes with Shark's own multi-surface solution to add. Similarly, the power button on the handle turns on the LCD display's handy indicators like the battery level, but lacks any advanced settings like hydration levels or Max mode in comparison. What's more, the Shark HydroVac felt more comfortable to handle and tilt back with ease. Perhaps, my favorite feature is the HydroVac's self-propelled function, that gives it a little "boost," making it easier to push across hard floors. The Shark HydroVac is also lighter to carry around the home compared to the Bissell — which is ideal for those with stairs. Winner: Shark HydroVac MessMaster I'll admit, this was a close call, as both models had sufficient power to clean my hardwood and tiled floors. However, which cleaner ultimately out-performed the other? Firstly, the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge has the edge (no pun intended) of including an option to dry-vacuum only, which is a good selling point for me. This meant that I could use it for sucking up heavy-duty messes (without making a sopping mess), before deep washing the floors. While I was impressed that the CrossWave OmniForce was able to remove light dust, dirt and minor marks, it struggled to remove stubborn stains like dried mud from the yard,or even a coffee stain. I found that I often needed to go over these areas a few times to ensure they were spotless. In any case, its "Zero Gap" edge cleaning, tackled the edges of baseboards and along kitchen units better than expected. Plus, the cleaner didn't leave behind any dirty streaks. Perhaps the only caveats are that the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge lacked a swivel head mechanism, and struggled getting into awkward angles. And it's noisier than the Shark HydroVac (and louder on Max mode). For that reason, you might have to consider the time and household members before cleaning your floors. On the other hand, the Shark HydroVac swivel head and self-propelled feature made it far easier to maneuver across floors, easily tackling marks and dirt with minimal effort. In comparison, it seemed to give a quicker clean, removing dirt and stubborn stains in less time. In just one or two sweeps, my white tiles were looking spotless and brand new. Again, the Shark HydroVac didn't leave behind any dirty streaks, and floors were dry in less than a minute. Another feature I liked was that the Shark HydroVac comes with odor neutralizers and an antibacterial roller to eliminate germs, and musty lingering odors in the air. I also preferred the model's "refresh" mode to clean my bathroom rug thoroughly, without soaking it. That makes it a convenient feature, especially if your rugs are not machine washable. Since both have self-cleaning features, this process takes about a minute. However, the Shark HydroVac's was noisier while in operation — so it's best to refrain from having a conversation! Still, it's a small sacrifice to make for refreshed floors. Overall, I was impressed by the Shark HydroVac cleaner's performance and versatility at tackling heavy-duty dirt on all types of flooring. As for drying time, both didn't leave behind wet streaks or patches, and floors seemed to dry fast. Winner: Shark HydroVac MessMaster For those with mainly hard flooring, both of these wet-and-dry vacuum cleaners prove to be great contenders. The Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge scores top marks for its pick-up power, dry-vacuum mode, and versatility. But while it did a decent job for light clean-ups, it struggled with heavy-duty mess and tricky corners/angles. However, the Shark HydroVac impressed me with its power and speed at quickly removing stubborn, sticky stains. It could also handle ridged tiles with ease, and did a great job at cleaning area rugs. What's more, it is lighter to carry around the home, and looks stylish, too. Bear in mind that neither floor cleaner comes with an app or smart features. But if these are things you're after, the Tineco Floor One S5 Extreme is a good option. However, if you're simply after a powerful clean, and fuss-free operation, I'd recommend the Shark HydroVac Floor floor cleaner to get the job done well. Winner: Shark HydroVac MessMaster

Is the Nintendo Switch 2 worth it? Tom's Guide's readers have spoken
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 worth it? Tom's Guide's readers have spoken

Tom's Guide

timea day ago

  • Tom's Guide

Is the Nintendo Switch 2 worth it? Tom's Guide's readers have spoken

The Nintendo Switch 2 has been out for two weeks and has already sold an astonishing 3.5 million units worldwide. That's no small feat considering its lofty $449 asking price and the difficulty of finding Nintendo Switch 2 restocks. Right now, Nintendo's latest handheld/console hybrid is a hit, but does it live up to the hype? I recently wrote an article discussing how I've grown bored with the Nintendo Switch 2, one week after its launch. Though the system addresses almost every technical issue I had with the original Nintendo Switch, I'm disappointed by the lack of Switch 2 exclusives and the abundance of third-party games that are years old. Yes, I'm stoked for Donkey Kong Bananza, but for the moment, there's not a lot for me to play on Switch 2. That article received a lot of comments, so we decided to gather our readers' opinions on the Switch 2 for this article. On our Facebook and Instagram accounts, we asked folks what they thought of Nintendo's console two weeks later. We also selected a handful of comments from some of our other Switch 2 articles to get a fuller sense of how people felt. Not surprisingly, opinions are mixed. Here's what Tom's Guide's readers have to say about the Nintendo Switch 2. Walmart's Switch 2 product page is live, and the mega retailer has been one of the most frequent sources of Switch 2 restock since the console's launch in early June. On June 25th, Walmart will have restocks starting at 9 pm ET for Walmart+ members and 10 pm ET for everyone else. Mario Kart Bundle: $499 @ Walmart While the Switch 2 doesn't yet have a robust selection of brand-new games and is more expensive than its predecessor, many of our readers are pleased with the new system. Between Mario Kart World and revisiting Switch 1 games with smoother framerates and faster loading times, the Switch 2 is keeping me pretty busy. - Daniel (post commenter) 'I'm happy with it,' says one Facebook user. 'Maybe I could have waited until there were more exclusives, but for me, it was even important to play improved Switch 1 titles. And there are so many titles running much better on Switch 2. Mario Kart World is also great, even if you see that it's an unfinished game where more is to come over the months and years.' This reader also said they are looking forward to playing Donkey Kong Bananza and a potential new Zelda title. Similarly, a commenter in our forum said they think of the Switch 2 as an investment for the future.' Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Another comment said they didn't regret their purchase because of their experience with most Nintendo consoles since the GameCube. 'I knew exactly what I was signing up for and adjusted my expectations accordingly,' they said. 'One or two early killer apps surrounded by ports of third-party games of yesteryear, plus the occasional JRPG sleeper hit or two.' So, which games are Switch 2 users playing right now? Based on feedback, folks are playing a mix of Switch 2 and Switch 1 titles. One commenter said they 'bought the Switch 2 specifically for local multiplayer games with friends, and it has been very fun. 4-player Switch Sports bowling/golf, Mario Kart, Mario Party Jamboree, and Mario Brothers Wonder have been some early favorites.' 'Between Mario Kart World and revisiting Switch 1 games with smoother framerates and faster loading times, the Switch 2 is keeping me pretty busy.' Most of the comments we've seen are generally positive, but some folks regret buying the Switch 2. 'I was bored of it after a few hours,' said one user. 'I haven't touched the thing in days. Maybe if it were my only access to gaming, I'd be more inclined to use it. But my PC and Steam Deck offer a vastly superior gaming experience in nearly every way.' 'Yep, I feel exactly the same,' said another user. 'I almost regret buying one at this point. Looking forward to a year or two down the road, but it's mostly going to go unused until then. Very underwhelming.' 'Putting out new hardware to tap pent-up demand for an upgrade without a decent software library to support it seems like a cynical cash grab,' said another commenter. An Instagram follower shared their thoughts on Switch 2 as a piece of hardware, saying it's a 'great piece of kit with many improvements, but the battery and the finishing aren't great at all.' They also said the 'Joy-Cons wobble and creak.' We haven't seen comments discussing that last part, so it might be unique to that reader. As I said, I received a lot of comments from my post, with most disagreeing with my opinion. That said, even the folks who disagreed were generally respectful and articulated their thoughts well. Here is one of the best takes from someone with a different view from mine: 'I don't want to say this perspective is worthless,' said the reader. 'But it was facilitated by a dismissal of what the S2 currently has to offer (I mostly bought at launch for better performance on S1 titles, upgrade packs, and GameCube), a misunderstanding of MKW's main appeal (which, despite the open world, is still pretty obviously racing), and a disinterest in engaging with anything besides exclusives (which is fair, but the lack there of will be moot by year's end — which is probably when your demographic should've considered buying the thing).' The demographic that this reader brings up is folks like me who own a current-gen gaming console like a PS5 and/or a gaming PC. Some of the other folks who agree with me are also in the same boat. To that end, the reader above is correct when saying that if you already own another gaming system, the Switch 2 might not be that appealing for the moment. One of the points I brought up in my article is that the Switch 2 currently doesn't have many first-party titles and that most games are third-party, which have been available on other platforms for years. 'Just a bunch of games that I can already play somewhere else. What was the point of the Switch 2 again?" - Muhahahahaz (post commenter) We saw commenters who shared this opinion in a piece written by my colleague Rory Mellon titled I've played 8 Nintendo Switch 2 launch games — here's the 3 I'd buy first (Mario Kart World isn't one of them). 'Those aren't launch games,' said one commenter. 'I can play Cyberpunk 2077 on my PS5 for cheaper with better graphics. I already have BoTW and ToTK on my Switch 1 OLED. Switch 2 ports aren't launch games.' Another person shared a similar sentiment, saying, 'just a bunch of games that I can already play somewhere else. What was the point of the Switch 2 again?' '$450 on hardware and $80 a game for titles I already own and have played at higher resolution on better platforms? Yeah, no, thank you,' said another commenter. 'I'm not interested in an $80 1080p version of Cyberpunk, Hogwarts, or any of the others. A $10 mini game collection is a must-have on a new $450 console? LOL. You have to be pulling my leg!' Hardware-wise, the Nintendo Switch 2 offers many meaningful updates over its predecessor. Its larger size and heavier weight make it feel more premium, and its 7.9-inch 1080p 120Hz display allows games to look and run like a dream. Games also appear fantastic on 4K TVs when the system is docked. While technologically impressive, the Switch 2 is lacking when it comes to exclusives. That's going to change over time, but right now, you won't miss much if you decide to purchase the system at a later time. This is as true for Switch 2 as it is with all launch systems. That said, many folks are enjoying their Switch 2 for what it currently provides. Mario Kart World can be a huge (and fun) time sink, and it can be worth firing up old Switch games to see how they run on the system. And if the original Switch was your primary gaming console, you now have a chance to check out some awesome third-party games you might have missed out on. Whether you own a Switch 2 or aren't interested, let us know in the comments below! We'd love to hear what you have to say.

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