Can’t Find a Nintendo Switch OLED? Buy These Handhelds Instead

Jon Bitner
·7 min read
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The Nintendo Switch OLED, a reworked version of the original handheld console, has been on the market for a few months now. It boasts a new display, LAN port, and improved kickstand design. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include a new CPU or other internal hardware to improve overall performance. That omission has led to a lot of disappointment in the community. Popular demanding titles like Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 will continue to see frame rate issues on the $350 console.

So it’s no surprise that you may be trouble finding a Switch OLED to buy. You’re not alone, but we’ve got your back. We’ve pulled together several other products that provide a Switch-like gaming experience with better performance and specs. Some are much more expensive than Nintendo’s hybrid console, but there’s no denying the value these products bring to the table. You may find that you enjoy them more, in fact, than Nintendo’s popular handheld.

Here are the best alternatives to Switch OLED that you can spend your hard-earned cash on.

valve steam deck on white background 2
Credit: Valve

Steam Deck Packs a Serious Punch Without Breaking the Bank

Steam Deck poses the most immediate threat to Nintendo’s dominance in the handheld market. Not only does it come from Valve – arguably the biggest name in PC gaming – but it’s equipped with some serious hardware and a surprisingly modest price tag. Starting at just $399, Steam Deck features a custom AMD Zen 2 + RDNA 2 chipset that’s miles ahead of anything inside Switch OLED. It also comes with a truly staggering number of input options. That means you’ll have standard analog sticks, two trackpads, a touchscreen and the ability to hook up a keyboard and mouse.

Some fans have criticized the Steam Deck’s bulky design when compared to Switch OLED – and it’s a fair argument. There’s no doubt Nintendo’s latest handheld is a more streamlined device. However, Steam Deck’s added bulk gives it space for all the above inputs and high-end hardware. Considering there are thousands of games in the Steam catalog, having a variety of controller options is a necessity.

Best of all, you can install just about any operating system you’d like on the device. It comes pre-loaded with a custom OS that lets you quickly access and launch games, but nothing is stopping you from wiping the drive and loading Windows onto Steam Deck. If you’re looking for an affordable, powerful alternative to Switch OLED, Valve’s Steam Deck needs to be at the top of your list.

OneXPlayer Is a Handheld Gaming PC

ONEXPLAYER handheld console nba on table
Credit: ONEXPLAYER

The OneXPlayer is the most expensive product on this list, starting at $1,199. But that price tag is backed by an impressive list of hardware. Funded after just 15 minutes on Indiegogo, the OneXPlayer includes an Intel Core 11th-Gen processor, a massive 8.4-inch IPS display that supports a 2560 x 1600 resolution and an iRIS XE 96 Eu GPU capable of running Apex Legends, Battlefield V, Control and more at 60 FPS.

Its design takes inspiration from Nintendo Switch, with dual analog sticks straddling either side of the screen. There’s also the usual assortment of face buttons and triggers. Unlike the Switch, however, this is a full-fledged PC. That means your entire Steam library is available at the tip of your fingers.

ONE-NETBOOK — the company developing OneXPlayer — isn’t new to the world of portable gaming. It previously developed a popular lineup of laptops, including the OneGX 1 that gave users detachable handles just like those seen on the Switch.

While some people will scoff at the price tag, there’s no doubt you’re getting a lot for your money. If there’s already a Switch in your home, consider passing up on the OLED model. Instead, put that cash towards this behemoth of a machine.

AYANEO 21 Runs Next-Gen Games in the Palm of Your Hands

inbody AYANEO Worlds First 7nm Handheld Gaming Device_
Credit: AYANEO

Love everything offered by the OneXPlayer but think it’s a bit expensive? Then the AYANEO 2021 might be a better fit. Available for $925, this handheld gaming PC is a portable powerhouse. It includes a Ryzen 5 4500U processor and a GPU that runs next-gen games like Watch Dogs: Legion at an easy 30 FPS.

It doesn’t boast an OLED like the upcoming Switch, but its 7-inch H-IPS touchscreen is more than capable of creating crisp images during gameplay. Much like the Switch, however, it features a built-in accelerometer and gyroscope for aiming assistance during tense gaming sessions. It even goes a step further by including rumble motors for vibration effects.

GPD WIN 3 Has a Switch-Like Dock and Sliding Keyboard

GPD WIN 3 held in hand
Credit: GPD

Sitting comfortably between the AYANEO and ONEXPLAYER is the GPD WIN 3. With a price tag of around $1,000, you’ll be dropping some serious cash for this handheld. It’s worth it as the WIN 3 uses the 12th generation Iris Xe Graphics card to run today’s most demanding games at 60 FPS. It also features a sliding design that hides a built-in keyboard. You can even purchase a dock that lets you connect to a TV.

Its screen is similar in size to the Switch Lite, clocking in at 5.5-inches with a native resolution of 720. According to official specs, the WIN 3 will run GTA V, The Witcher 3, Death Stranding and more at well over 60 FPS. Combine that with its built-in keyboard and optional dock, and the Switch has some serious competition.

The Affordable Acer Nitro 5 Is a Powerful Gaming Laptop

inbody Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop
Credit: Acer

Nintendo Switch might be more portable, but affordable gaming laptops pack twice the punch. You’ll have to spend a bit more cash – the Acer Nitro 5 can be found for around $800 — but you’re getting a complete PC instead of just a gaming console. It also has a library that can go toe-to-toe with Nintendo’s hybrid console. It’s capable of running GTA V, Apex Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and more at higher graphics settings.

It might not have an OLED screen like the Switch, but the 15.6-inch IPS display still looks incredible in action. Plus, you always have the option to connect it to your big screen TV or another monitor using an HDMI cable. As long as you don’t mind the extra weight, gaming laptops are excellent choice when it comes to gaming on the go. It’s hard to beat the affordable Acer Nitro 5.

Turn Your Smartphone Into a Serious Switch Competitor

Razer Kishi Mobile Game Controller white background
Credit: Razer

If you’re looking for the most affordable way to play some quality games on the road, look no further than the Razer Raiju or Razer Kishi controllers. These high-end accessories turn your smartphone into a bonafide gaming heavyweight.

Mobile gaming has come a long way in the past decade. Long gone are the days of playing Doodle Jump and Snake on your iPhone — today, we’re playing triple-A titles from Microsoft, Activision and Ubisoft. Game streaming services such as Shadow and Xbox Game Pass have opened the door for your smartphone to be a legit competitor to Nintendo Switch, and pairing one of those services with a good gamepad makes for a surprisingly great gaming experience.

We’d recommend picking up the Kishi for a Switch-like experience and subscribing to either Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or checking out Shadow — a relatively unknown streaming service that turns your phone into a high-end PC.

As far as OLED screens are concerned, you probably already have one in your pocket. Plenty of the latest smartphones use the technology, including both the Samsung Galaxy S21 and iPhone 12.

Also, make sure to set up a Deal Alert and we’ll let you know the next time any of the hand-held consoles on your radar go on sale.

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