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The place was famous worldwide for its singular Thai cooking and far-flung location. Does its new spot re-create the magic?
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CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
I play a ton of Nintendo Switch 2. Here's how it beats the Nintendo Switch 1
The Nintendo Switch 2 is an excellent successor to the original Nintendo Switch 1, delivering significant upgrades that include 4K gaming, a bigger and better design, and a solid selection of exclusive games that should only get better over time. But it's also very much a Nintendo Switch, one that might look and feel incredibly familiar for anyone who's spent significant time with the company's mega-popular handheld and home console hybrid that's been around since 2017. With that said, is the Switch 2 truly worth the upgrade if you already have the OG Nintendo Switch? And if you're buying your first modern Nintendo console in a while, do you really need the newest, most expensive one? Fortunately, I've logged a frankly irresponsible amount of time on both systems over the past eight years and am here to make those decisions easy for you. Here are the key differences between the Switch and Switch 2 — as well as some surprising similarities — to keep in mind before you buy. Nintendo Switch 2 The Nintendo Switch 2 upgrades the wildly popular hybrid console with 4K gaming capabilities, more storage, a bigger design and a growing library of exclusive games. Nintendo Switch Console With Neon Red and Blue Joy-Con The original Nintendo Switch provides access to one of the best gaming libraries of all time, complete with the ability to game on your TV at 1080p or on the go at 720p. TV, tabletop, handheld TV, tabletop, handheld TV, tabletop, handheld Handheld 7.9-inch, 1920 x 1080 LCD screen 7-inch, 1280 x 720 OLED screen 6.2-inch, 1280 x 720 LCD screen 5.5-inch 1280 x 720 LCD screen Up to 4K, HDR10 support Up to 1080p Up to 1080p N/A 256GB, expandable via microSD Express 64GB, expandable via microSD 32GB, expandable via microSD 32GB, expandable via microSD 2 to 6.5 hours 4.5 to 9 hours 4.5 to 9 hours 3 to 7 hours All Nintendo Switch 2 games, most Nintendo Switch games All Nintendo Switch games All Nintendo Switch games Most Nintendo Switch games The Nintendo Switch 2 is effectively a souped-up Nintendo Switch, offering a familiar design that's bigger and better than what came before in almost every way. Its magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers are much easier to attach and detach than the original Switch Joy-Con with their sliding lock mechanism, and their larger all-around buttons make both handheld and single Joy-Con gaming much more satisfying. The new console's full-width kickstand is a massive upgrade over the laughable gumstick-sized stand on the OG Switch, though it's not a huge difference from the improved stand on the Switch OLED. One upgrade I love is the additional, top-facing USB-C port, which is great for connecting a camera or charging the Switch 2 while playing in tabletop mode. Perhaps the most noticeable and obvious hardware difference is the Switch 2's 7.9-inch display, which is significantly bigger (and a bit sharper) than every Switch screen that's come before it. It'll be a major upgrade for anyone coming from the Switch or Switch Lite, though Switch OLED owners may feel a bit more mixed. The Switch 2's LCD display doesn't have the same rich pop of color or sharp contrast as the Switch OLED screen, nor is it quite as bright. This stood out to me at first, but now that I've lived with the Switch 2 for a few months, I can't say I'm missing OLED all that much. Having a bigger and sharper screen (1080p up from 720p) really does make a difference, and Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza still look beautiful on LCD — even if I occasionally wish the colors were a little more vibrant. And considering that the Switch 2 can play games in gorgeous 4K resolution while docked to a TV (the older Switch is limited to 1080p in TV mode) — something I'll dive in to more in a minute — I can live with this trade-off while playing on the go. The Switch 2's increased dimensions come with one other caveat: It's not very comfortable to hold for long stretches. I found my hands cramping pretty quickly while playing in handheld mode, something I was only able to alleviate after picking up this great Mumba Clear Case that adds some extra grip. And while the Joy-Con 2 aren't the most ergonomic out of the box, the system at least never got overly hot during long play sessions. But those with especially small hands (and no big attachment to having the latest tech) should consider the standard Switch or the especially compact Switch Lite for frequent on-the-go play. Side note: The Nintendo Switch Lite is still the most aesthetically pleasing Switch and arguably still the best option for any little ones in your life. Nintendo should make a Switch Lite 2, and I wouldn't be surprised if it did. On paper, the Switch 2's 256GB of internal storage is a major upgrade from the 32GB to 64GB you'll find on older models. But considering how huge some Switch 2 games are (Cyberpunk 2077 alone takes up about 64GB), you'll still want to pick up some external storage. This brings us to another caveat. The Switch 2 only works with microSD Express cards, the newer and more advanced version of this popular memory format you can use on your other Switch consoles. MicroSD Express cards are a bit pricier and harder to find at the moment, which adds some notable expense to what's already the priciest Nintendo console. When it comes to aesthetic variety and customization, the Switch 1 wins by a landslide for the time being. The Switch and Switch OLED are sold with various Joy-Con color options, and there's a massive ecosystem of first- and third-party Joy-Cons that truly let you make your Switch look and feel how you want it to. There's also a plethora of gorgeous limited-edition Switch models for those able to track them down. The Nintendo Switch 2 is currently limited to a plain black model with subtle red and blue highlights, though considering Nintendo's love for constantly launching new accessories, we suspect that'll change over time. Spoiler alert: The Nintendo Switch 2 is a lot more powerful than the Nintendo Switch. Nintendo's newest console is still a far cry from the blazing speeds and ultra-rich visuals of the PS5 and Xbox Series X, but it's a noticeable leap from its predecessor — and one that just makes for an overall more pleasant gaming experience. Forget the fact that the Switch 2 finally brings Nintendo into the 4K gaming era. You know what really excites me? Loading times. From firing up massive games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to simply opening up the Nintendo eShop, everything loaded up significantly faster during my side-by-side tests between the Switch OLED and Switch 2. That saved time adds up when you're trying to squeeze in as many quests as possible on a short train ride. The Switch 2 also pumps out notably crisp visuals in both TV and handheld mode, offering up to 4K when you connect to a TV and 1080p on the go. That's a nice bump from the Switch and Switch OLED, which top off at 1080p on a TV and 720p in handheld (the Switch Lite is handheld only and can't be used with a TV at all). On top of that, the Switch 2 can deliver frame rates of up to 120 frames per second, an ultra-smooth level of motion that was previously reserved for powerful PCs and the latest high-end consoles. We've yet to see many games utilize 120 frames per second yet, but it does future-proof the Switch 2 quite well. While the Switch 2's performance and visuals are a clear step up from the original, battery life is a mixed bag. The Switch 2 is rated for two to six and a half hours of battery life, depending on what you're playing, which is actually the lowest battery estimate Nintendo gives for any of its Switch consoles. These numbers have mostly been consistent with my own use, though the Switch 2 isn't quite as far behind the pack as the ratings would suggest. To get a sense of how long each Switch console lasts under similar play conditions, I fired up Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and set up an endless eight-fighter brawl at full brightness and all possible settings cranked up for maximum chaos. The Switch 2 petered out at just under four hours, which doesn't quite beat the Switch OLED (four hours, 50 minutes) but manages to squeak by the 2019 Switch (three hours, 50 minutes) and topples the original 2017 model (two hours, 45 minutes). Of course, your own battery life experience will vary wildly based on what you're playing and how old your console is, but it's worth keeping these numbers in mind when picking a model. My advice? You should be keeping a good portable charger handy no matter which Nintendo Switch you pick up. If you ignored the rest of this guide and scrolled all the way here, well … I wouldn't blame you. You ultimately buy a console to play games, and the main reason to upgrade to a Nintendo Switch 2 is to play the fancy new titles that aren't coming to your dusty old Switch 1. The Nintendo Switch 2 plays virtually every original Nintendo Switch game in addition to its growing assortment of Switch 2 exclusives. Nintendo's compatibility page features a small list of titles with known issues on Switch 2, as well as a handful of games that'll require your old Switch Joy-Con (like Ring Fit Adventure and Nintendo Switch Sports) since they were made specifically for those older controllers. But the vast majority of your existing Switch collection will work great on Switch 2; heck, some of them will run even better than before, thanks to free updates to titles like Super Mario Odyssey, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and Splatoon 3. The current list of exclusive Nintendo Switch 2 games is relatively small but already strong. You've got the expansive multiplayer racing of Mario Kart World and the delightfully smashing platforming of Donkey Kong Bananza — a true pair of instant Nintendo classics to start this new generation. Then there are the big third-party blockbusters like Cyberpunk 2077, Street Fighter 6 and WWE 2K25, which finally give Nintendo gamers a chance to experience some of the biggest hits that were once exclusive to other consoles and PCs. Looking further out, you can expect new Zelda, Splatoon and Kirby games, as well as a big exclusive from the Dark Souls team called The Duskbloods. There are also special Nintendo Switch 2 editions of games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Party Jamboree, which feature both enhanced visuals and new features. You can upgrade to these new versions for a small fee or get the upgrades for free as part of your Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription. And you should, because getting to finally play a modern Zelda in 4K at a smooth 60 frames per second really is something. The Switch 2 also has a small advantage for retro gamers. All Switch owners can dive into a big library of Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games (the latter few require Nintendo's higher-end subscription), though only Switch 2 owners can access the newer GameCube collection that includes such hits as Soul Calibur II and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. That said, if you decide to save some cash and pick up an old Switch (or hold out on upgrading), you won't exactly be hurting for things to play. The 12,000-plus games available on the Nintendo Switch include some of the greatest titles of all time, from Nintendo essentials like Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Metroid Dread and Animal Crossing: New Horizons; must-have indies like Hades and Balatro; and the best of top franchises like Doom and Minecraft. Nintendo isn't stopping support for the original Switch anytime soon either. Hotly anticipated Nintendo titles like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon: Legends Z-A are coming to both Switch consoles (just keep in mind that previous Pokémon titles have had performance issues on Switch 1), and plenty of big-name third-party games from the Dragon Ball and Sonic franchises are still on the way. And once you're ready to move to a Switch 2, all those games will come with you, some of which will have optional upgrades to make them perform even better. If you're a big online gamer, the Switch 2 is for you. One of the system's biggest upgrades is its GameChat feature, which lets you finally voice chat with friends directly from your console, whether you're playing together or each doing your own thing. You can even hop on video (via either the Nintendo Switch 2 camera or any standard USB webcam you have handy) or share your screen to show off your Mario Kart skills or get help navigating a tricky Zelda dungeon. All this communication happens via the Switch 2's built-in microphone, so you don't even need a dedicated mic or headset to start chatting. By contrast, Switch 1 gamers will have to use some external tools to talk to their friends during Splatoon wars or Smash Bros. brawls. You can use Nintendo's own official Nintendo Switch Online app for your iOS or Android device, or go with a third-party option like the popular Discord app. I much prefer the latter, as it's far less limited, easier to use and not tied to a subscription. Also, the Switch 2's on-screen chat overlay looks a lot like a Discord call, so Nintendo's twist isn't exactly unique. You would think that buying an older Switch means spending less money. And you'd be correct, though recent price changes have blurred the lines a bit. In August 2025, Nintendo raised prices on all original Switch hardware due to 'market conditions,' bumping the Nintendo Switch Lite from $200 to $230, the standard Nintendo Switch from $300 to $340 and the Nintendo Switch OLED from $350 to $400. Considering the OLED model is only $50 less than a Nintendo Switch 2, the vast majority of people are better off just spending a little more for Nintendo's latest. That said, there are a few good reasons to go retro. Even the price-bumped Switch Lite and Switch are still significantly less expensive than the Switch 2, and as of this writing, stores such as Best Buy and Amazon are still selling the old consoles at their original pricing. And I'll continue to champion the Switch Lite as a great option for kids, especially since the other models have more moving (i.e. breakable) parts. It's worth noting that while the Nintendo Switch 2 is staying at its $450 starting price, Nintendo mentions in its pricing update that 'price adjustments may be necessary in the future.' Additionally, certain Nintendo Switch 2 accessories including the Joy-Con 2 and Switch 2 Pro Controller have seen a $5 price bump. So, what's actually different about the Nintendo Switch 2? You get a bigger design and display, better performance, an improved online experience and a pretty great handful of exclusive games that the original Switch can't run. It's the best Nintendo console out right now, and whether you're upgrading or getting your first-ever Switch, you're likely going to find a lot to love about it. That's not to say the OG Nintendo Switch doesn't hold any value in 2025. The classic Switch grants you access to one of the absolute greatest game libraries of all time, and it's one that's still set to get some big new releases before Nintendo sunsets the first-generation model for good. And even factoring in price bumps, it's a more affordable entry point into modern Nintendo gaming and a great option for youngsters or the extremely gaming-casual among us. The Switch 2 is still in its infancy, so there's no harm in waiting a bit for more big games to arrive. And once you are ready to upgrade, nearly all your games and gear can come with you. Can a Nintendo Switch 2 play Nintendo Switch 1 games? Can a Nintendo Switch 2 play Nintendo Switch 1 games? Yep! Almost all Nintendo Switch games work on the Nintendo Switch 2. Some titles, like 1-2 Switch and Ring Fit Adventure, will require you to use your older Joy-Con controllers, and a handful of others have known compatibility issues that are being worked on. But most of your favorite titles will work on the new system just fine. Will Nintendo Switch 1 controllers work on a Nintendo Switch 2? Will Nintendo Switch 1 controllers work on a Nintendo Switch 2? Also yes. Pretty much any wireless Switch 1 controller will work on your Switch 2, including the classic Joy-Cons and the original Pro Controller. Same goes for many wired options, such as those from PowerA. Some third-party Switch 1 controllers, such as those from 8BitDo, may require a firmware update before they work on Switch 2, though. Are the Nintendo Switch 2 or the Nintendo Switch 1 HDMI compatible? Are the Nintendo Switch 2 or the Nintendo Switch 1 HDMI compatible? Yes, the Switch 2 and Switch both connect to your TV via HDMI. CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. Senior tech editor Mike Andronico has been covering gaming for more than a decade and has been writing tested reviews of Nintendo consoles since the Nintendo 3DS (which is still in his top five consoles). He's currently obsessed with chasing high scores in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 and chasing even bigger bananas in Donkey Kong Bananza.


Geek Tyrant
3 hours ago
- Geek Tyrant
Is SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY Setting Up the Punisher as Leader of the Hand? — GeekTyrant
The MCU might be diving into some dark territory with Spider-Man: Brand New Day , and a recent set photo has fans asking a wild question… is Frank Castle taking over The Hand? A photo snapped from the set of Spider-Man: Brand New Day shows a tank marked with a strange, demonic symbol. At first glance, it screamed Inner Demons, which pointed toward Mister Negative. But sources say Mister Negative isn't part of this movie at all. So, what does that symbol really mean? Fans have noted the resemblance to The Hand's iconic logo, and word is that The Punisher might be the one behind the wheel of that tank. If that's the case, Spider-Man: Brand New Day could be teeing up something huge for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially with Jon Bernthal back in action. Adding more fuel to the fire, there's already talk about Japanese-inspired villains playing a role in the story. That makes The Hand a natural fit, especially if Marvel is planning to build into Daredevil: Born Again season 3. In the comics, Frank Castle didn't just fight The Hand, he led them. But not without a cost. In that storyline, The Hand offers Frank leadership and the resurrection of his wife, Maria. He accepts, unleashing their deadly resources to take out major threats like Warlord, Hate-Monger, and the Apostles of War, an arms-dealing syndicate created by Ares, the Greek god of war. Frank also targets society's worst, executing murderers, rapists, and abusers who slipped through the cracks. But it doesn't take long for Frank to see the cracks in The Hand's mission. They weren't just killing the guilty. Innocents were dying too. With immense effort, Frank broke free of their grip, but the story raised powerful questions about control, vengeance, and how far he'd go to clean up the world. Could Spider-Man: Brand New Day weave this into Peter Parker's story? It's not impossible. After the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home , Peter is completely alone in a world that's forgotten him. If The Hand offered a way to bring back Aunt May, would he take it? That temptation could set up a darker, more complicated Peter, especially if he's forced to cross paths with Frank. And then there's Matt Murdock. If Marvel is laying the groundwork for Shadowland , a story where Daredevil takes over The Hand, things could get even more intense. Frank might step into that role instead, possibly becoming the next big villain in Daredevil: Born Again . It's a interesting direction, but signs are pointing that way, and if The Punisher really is set to lead The Hand, we might get some early clues in the upcoming Punisher Special Presentation . There's even a chance Frank could be killed and brought back by The Hand as their weapon. That would be wild. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton ( Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings ), Spider-Man: Brand New Day is written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker, joined by Jon Bernthal, Mark Ruffalo, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Michael Mando, and Liza Colón-Zayas. Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into theaters on July 31, 2026.


Skift
4 hours ago
- Skift
Online Travel Agency Chartbook 2025
This chartbook offers a snapshot of the evolving online travel landscape, with an analysis of the top 10 largest publicly traded online travel agencies. Report Overview This chartbook provides an analysis of the 10 largest publicly traded online travel agencies (or OTAs), considering market sizing, financial performance, and strategic developments of each company. It serves as both a benchmarking tool and strategic resource for understanding the dynamics of the online travel landscape. The OTA sector continues to recalibrate in the post-pandemic landscape, with clear strategic shifts taking shape across the industry. Many platforms are expanding beyond their core accommodation offerings, while others are exiting unprofitable verticals to refocus on high-margin or fast-growing niches. Emerging growth levers include subscription models, mobile-first platforms, social marketing and B2B partnerships — all aimed at deepening customer loyalty and diversifying revenue streams. The competitive landscape continues to remain fluid, with regional leaders (e.g. and MakeMyTrip) increasingly challenging global incumbents such as Booking Holdings.