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Here are the best Nintendo Switch Alternatives that you can spend your hard-earned cash on. You can cheer yourself up or get over the Monday blues by playing fun games on the Nintendo Switch. Gamers love the video game console because it can be used as both a handheld and a home console. You don’t want the Nintendo Switch but you want a cheap video game console.
So, even though it’s a cool game console, it can’t say that it’s good enough for everyone. Some people might not like how the D-pad is split, and others might not like how the right analog stick is placed. Well, if you’re not yet a fan of Nintendo Switch or want something cheaper or more exciting, this list of the best alternatives to Nintendo Switch in 2023 has you covered.
Best Nintendo Switch Alternatives Comparison Table
| Item | Compatible Games | Type of Item | Manufacturer | Dimensions | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch Lite | Nintendo Switch games | Handheld Game Console | Nintendo | 91.1 x 208 x 13.9 mm | 275 g | $199.99 |
| Nintendo 3DS XL | Nintendo 3DS games, backwards compatible with DS games | Handheld Game Console | Nintendo | 155 x 93 x 22 mm | 336 g | $199.99 |
| Sony Playstation PSP 3000 | PSP games | Handheld Game Console | Sony | 169.4 x 71.4 x 18.6 mm | 189 g | $129.99 |
| 8Bitdo SN30 Pro | Nintendo Switch, Windows, macOS, Android, Raspberry Pi games | Wireless Game Controller | 8Bitdo | 132 x 64 x 15 mm | 90 g | $44.99 |
| Daxceirry WIN600 Video Handheld | Windows PC games | Handheld Game Console | Daxceirry | 193 x 96 x 26 mm | 330 g | $699.99 |
| AYANEO 2021 | Windows PC games | Handheld Game Console | AYANEO | 213 x 91 x 27 mm | 475 g | $699.99 |
| GPD Win 3 | Windows PC games | Handheld Game Console | GPD | 162 x 98 x 21 mm | 500 g | $799.99 |
| 8Bitdo N30 Pro Controller | Nintendo Switch, Windows, macOS, Android, Raspberry Pi games | Wireless Game Controller | 8Bitdo | 132 x 64 x 15 mm | 80 g | $29.99 |
Nintendo Switch Lite
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 3.6″ x 8.2″ x 0.55″ (with Joy-Con attached) |
| Weight | Approximately 0.61 lbs (with Joy-Con attached) |
| Screen Size | 5.5″ Touch Screen (1280 x 720 resolution) |
| Battery Life | Approximately 3-7 hours (depending on usage) |
| Storage Capacity | 32 GB (expandable with microSDHC or microSDXC cards) |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) and Bluetooth 4.1 |
| Ports | USB Type-C (for charging and connecting to dock), 3.5 mm audio jack |
“Nintendo Switch Lite” is exactly what you need if you want a cheaper and lighter alternative to the Nintendo Switch. The new game console looks pretty small, which makes it a good choice for gaming on the go. Unlike the Switch, the Joy-Con controllers are built right into the Lite, which makes it a good choice for casual gamers and younger people.
Lite has a good-looking screen, just like the Nintendo Switch. But unlike the big brother, which has a huge 6.2-inch screen, the Lite version has a 5.5-inch screen that does the job. also comes with a control pad that looks like a D-pad and lets you play games with ease. Even though it’s not made for tabletop play, you can make up for that by pairing it with a very useful add-on.
The Good
- Portable and compact design
- There are a lot of games to choose from.
- Good construction
- There are Joy-Con controllers.
The Bad
- There’s no TV mode—only a handheld mode.
- Some games may not work well on the small screen. It doesn’t have some of the things that the original Nintendo Switch did, like HD Rumble and an IR Motion Camera.
Nintendo 3DS XL
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.14″ x 3.46″ x 0.87″ |
| Weight | Approximately 11.6 oz (including battery and stylus) |
| Screen Size | Upper Screen: 4.88″ (800 x 240 resolution) Lower Screen: 4.18″ (320 x 240 resolution) |
| Battery Life | Approximately 3.5-7 hours (depending on usage) |
| Storage Capacity | 4 GB (expandable with SD, SDHC, or SDXC cards) |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 b/g) and Bluetooth |
| Ports | AC adapter connector, SD card slot, headphone jack |
When you talk about one of the best portable game consoles, the Nintendo 3DS XL is the first thing that comes to mind. And rightly so, because the game console is great in a lot of ways. Like the brand-new Switch Lite, it seems to be pretty light and feels good in the hands. So, you can use it for hours to play your favorite games.
The C stick on the 3DS XL makes it much easier to use. The fact that it works with amiibo and has NFC support makes it one of the cheapest alternatives to the Nintendo Switch. Also, you can play any Nintendo 3DS game at any time with this handheld. It also has parental controls, so you can keep kids from using 3D mode (6 years old or under).
The Good
- There are a lot of games to choose from.
- There are two screens and touch screens.
- Easy to hold, and the 3D screen can be turned off for 2D play.
The Bad
- Heavy and not easy to carry
- The battery could last longer.
Sony Playstation PSP 3000 Series
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.7″ x 2.7″ x 0.7″ |
| Weight | Approximately 6.7 oz (including battery) |
| Screen Size | 4.3″ (480 x 272 resolution) |
| Battery Life | Approximately 4-6 hours (depending on usage) |
| Storage Capacity | 64 MB RAM, Memory Stick Duo or Pro Duo |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b) and IrDA |
| Ports | DC IN 5V connector, headphone jack, USB 2.0 |
The PlayStation Portable is the best choice we will look at. What makes it different from the Switch? One of the biggest differences between these two handheld video game systems is the games that can be played on each one. Some people might like the games on the PSP more than those on the Switch, but buying new games for the PSP is usually a lot cheaper than for the Switch.
Even though the PSP 3000 came out in 2008, other versions of the PSP came out before that. If you used to play games on a PSP, using it again might make you feel nostalgic. Compared to the Nintendo Switch, which came out in 2017, it’s not as good. Many people think that the PSP was the first Switch. It was definitely a precursor, and even though the battery life and some other features leave a lot to be desired, the PSP is good choice that has stood the test of time.
The Good
- Small and easy to carry
- There are a lot of games to choose from.
- Good resolution of the screen
- It can also be used to play music and videos.
The Bad
- No way to use a touch screen
- Not enough room to store things
- The battery could last longer.
8Bitdo SN30 Pro
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 132 mm x 64 mm x 15 mm |
| Weight | Approximately 135 g |
| Battery Life | Approximately 18 hours (depending on usage) |
| Wireless | Bluetooth |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, Raspberry Pi |
| Buttons | D-pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, shoulder buttons, Start/Select buttons |
| Connection | USB Type-C (for charging and firmware updates) |
| Additional Features | Motion controls, rumble vibration |
SN30 is also lost from 8bitdo, and you can swear on this pad. You won’t have any trouble pairing it, and its four LED lights will let you know which player is linked to which pad. Since SN30 gears already work with Switch, there’s no need to update the firmware.
In the future, 8bitdo will definitely release firmware updates to smooth out the kinks in Switch. Compared to the Switch Pro Controller, the analog joysticks on the 8Bitdo SN30 Pro are smaller and much closer together. This could be annoying for people with bigger hands.
The Good
- Small and easy to carry
- works with a wide range of devices
- Easy to hold and with buttons that work
- The game play is improved by motion controls and rumble vibration.
The Bad
- Might not be good for games with more than 8 buttons.
- It doesn’t have things like analog sticks and trigger buttons.
- Some people may not like the way the buttons are set up.
Daxceirry WIN600 Video Handheld
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Quad-core 1.5GHz CPU |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| RAM | 8GB DDR3 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
| Display | 6-inch IPS LCD touchscreen, 1280×720 resolution |
| Battery Life | Approximately 6 hours (depending on usage) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, USB Type-C, HDMI |
The Daxceirry WIN600 handheld game system came out in 2022, so you can buy it from Amazon brand new. It works with Windows 10 and lets you play PC games on the console. It also works with Steam OS. This is a good choice if you don’t like the idea of buying a used product and would rather buy something new.
It has an OCA screen that is 5.94″ wide and has great graphics. Not only that, but you can also download office software to this small console. It only weighs 490 grams, so it’s easy to carry around, and the fact that you can download office software means you can do your work faster whether you’re on the go or just relaxing on the couch.
The Good
- The Windows 10 operating system is used.
- It has a lot of storage space and a fast processor.
- Small and easy to carry
- The touch-screen display makes the game more fu
The Bad
- The battery could last longer.
- Because it runs on Windows, it only works with a small number of games.
GPD Win 3
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-1165G7 quad-core CPU |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home 64-bit |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR4x-4266 RAM |
| Storage | 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD |
| Display | 5.5-inch IPS LCD touchscreen, 1280×720 resolution |
| Battery Life | Approximately 8-10 hours (depending on usage) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, Thunderbolt 4, USB Type-C, HDMI |
The GPD Win 3 is a portable Windows PC that can help people decide whether a portable gaming console or a gaming PC is better. The Win 3 is the first AAA handheld game console in the world. You can now play games on the go with its 5.5-inch, 720p touchscreen, built-in controller, and slide-out keyboard.
The GPD Win 3 is a direct follow-up to the already great portable gaming PC, the Win Max. The biggest difference between the two is that Win 3 has a sliding screen and a keyboard that lights up. This gaming PC has Windows 10 and can run complex game emulators without any trouble. With Win 3, you can play PC games anywhere.
The Good
- It has high-end specs that let it run demanding games and apps.
- It has a lot of storage space and a fast processor.
- Small and easy to carry
- The touch-screen display makes the game more fun.
- With HDMI output, games can be played on bigger screens.
- External accessories can be used in more ways with the Thunderbolt 4 port.
The Bad
- The price is higher than other handheld games.
- The battery could last longer.
- Some games might not work well on a small screen.
8Bitdo N30 Pro Controller
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 132 mm x 64 mm x 15 mm |
| Weight | Approximately 135 g |
| Battery Life | Approximately 18 hours (depending on usage) |
| Wireless | Bluetooth |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, Raspberry Pi |
| Buttons | D-pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, shoulder buttons, Start/Select buttons |
| Connection | USB Type-C (for charging and firmware updates) |
| Additional Features | Motion controls, rumble vibration |
If you’re serious about your video game controllers, you probably don’t need to be told about 8bitdo. This company has been making great pads and other accessories for a long time. Some of them look a bit like Nintendo’s official gear. The 8bitdo N30 Pro is a stylish substitute for official Nintendo gear.
The N30 Pro from 8Bitdo is a mix of old and new. It has a familiar layout and color scheme, but it also has new features like shoulder keys and thumbsticks. The N30 Pro has a great d-pad that beats the ones on both the Xbox One and the Switch Pro. During a game, the face buttons on the N30 Pro are really good at making satisfying clicks.
The Good
- Small and easy to carry
- works with a wide range of devices
- Easy to hold and with buttons that work
- The game play is improved by motion controls and rumble vibration.
The Bad
- Might not be good for games with more than 8 buttons.
- It doesn’t have things like analog sticks and trigger buttons.
FAQs
Is there a better alternative to Nintendo Switch?
The PSP Vita is another good console that can be used instead of the Nintendo Switch. This PlayStation product came out in 2014, and it has two analog sticks to help you get better control. There are about a thousand games to choose from, and the OLED screen has great graphics.
What is the best handheld Switch alternative?
Nintendo, Nintendo Classic Mini, and Playdate are the best alternatives to Nintendo Switch Lite. If none of these three options work for you, we’ve listed more than 10 others below.
What console is the Switch equivalent to?
The base model of the Nintendo Switch, as well as the newer OLED Model, can be used both at home and on the go, like the Nintendo 3DS. It’s a small tablet with controllers attached. You can dock it to your TV or use it as a handheld, but the games look and play the same either way.
Why the Switch is still the best console?
The Nintendo Switch has a huge library of games, and many of them can be played with more than one person. Games like Fortnite and Among Us, which can be played across different platforms, are most popular on the Switch. But the Nintendo Switch also has a huge number of games that you can only play with your friends.