Proper gaming screens like Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 has a base brightness of ~600 nits and peak brightness of 2000. Iphone 14 pro's can also get pretty bright (1000-2000 nits). Also these gaming screens perform best in HDR mode even in regular desktop use as the dynamic 2048 zone backlight works properly there. The more dynamic range your screen has, the better everything looks. Your calibrated 120 nits is _very_ dark, and likely the overall dynamic range of your screen isn't very high either and the maximum brightness is 350-400 nits at most and contrast is absolute rubbish.