The holiday season is approaching fast, which means gamers are likely to be looking for a new games console, if they don't already have one.

However, if you're in this boat, you'll know how hard it is to get hold of a PS5, an Xbox Series X, or a Switch OLED.

Is there anything you can get instead, to plug that gap and even get some next-gen titles into your gaming repertoire? Sure there is! Read on to find out what alternatives you can get to the PS5, Xbox Series X, or Nintendo OLED edition...

1. Atari VCS

atari vcs fuji logo illuminated

Atari is keen to steer its new VCS away from comparison with the big three. And for good reason; you can arguably get a bit more functionality out of the device when compared to Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo's offerings.

More than just a gaming machine, you can actually boot the VCS in PC Mode, with a number of operating systems at your disposal including Windows, Chromium, and Ubuntu. You can also access Xbox Cloud Gaming, Google Stadia, and Amazon Luna straight from the VCS, as well as Antstream Arcade and a massive library of Atari originals, old and new.

You can buy the Atari VCS over at AtariVCS.com. Prices start from $299.99.

Related: Atari VCS Review: A Nostalgia Hit With Gaming and Productivity in Equal Measure

2. Oculus Quest 2

The Oculus Quest 2 is the latest in the line of Facebook (or Meta) owned virtual reality ecosystems. With the Quest 2, you can enjoy a massive range of outstanding games in a virtual reality environment, including some genuinely impressive titles, like Resident Evil 4, or No Man's Sky.

If you want a device that will wow you just as much as one of the big three flagship consoles, then perhaps heading down the VR route is a suitable alternative. If immersion in a video game is a principal factor in your gaming purchase decisions, then you'll struggle to find anything more immersive than placing yourself smack-bang in the middle of the game world.

You can enter the Oculus ecosystem from $299. Just head to Oculus.com.

3. Evercade VS and Handheld Evercade

If you want to get involved in some retro gaming without having to deal with gray-market emulators and ROMs, then you should give the Evercade some consideration. This could be the perfect stop-gap while you wait for your PS5, Series X, or Switch OLED.

The system comes with its own proprietary games cartridges, which makes the console excellent for collectors. The existing range of cartridges available all feature arcade and console games from publishers and developers such as Data East, the Bitmap Brothers, Interplay, and Technos, to name but a few.

The best thing is, Blaze Entertainment, the Evercade creator, has licensed all of these games, so you can safely say you're not breaking any rules by playing these titles.

You can get the Evercade VS (which plugs into your TV) for $99.99 and the Evercade handheld for $79.99.

4. Google Stadia

We get it, you simply must enjoy some next-gen gaming. If you want to get involved in the latest triple-AAA, new-gen, video games, then perhaps a subscription to Google Stadia can placate you somewhat while you await your next console.

Stadia is Google's cloud gaming service. This means you can enjoy next-gen titles without actually owning a next-gen device.

Seriously, you can play Stadia on a massive range of devices, from your smartphone to your TV. This writer even sideloaded it onto an Android TV projector and used a generic Bluetooth controller (although there is an official Stadia controller available, too).

Who knows, you might decide you don't even need a new console once you've got a Stadia subscription under your belt. Subscriptions start at $9.99/month from Stadia.

5. Steam

online gaming shop logo

Yes, we knew the Steam Deck sold out back in July, and Valve has delayed shipping of its new handheld console until 2022. However, Steam is still an excellent choice if you own a device capable of playing the games you want to buy on the site's digital marketplace.

You can access Steam games via a PC (subject to having the required specs), but if you want a next-gen experience without the required specs, you could always stream your Steam games via NVIDIA's browser-based gaming platform, GeForce Now—in full next-gen splendour.

Aside from via PC and GeForce Now, you can access Steam with your phone, tablet, and your TV, using Steam Remote Play Anywhere.

A Steam account makes for a great interim gaming fix while you await your PS5, Series X, or Switch OLED. Access to Steam is free, so you'd only pay for any games you want to buy on the platform. You can even use most existing game controllers with it!

6. Nintendo Switch/Switch Lite

If you are unlucky getting the Switch OLED your heart desired, then perhaps consider the OG Switch or handheld-only Switch Lite. If this is your first foray into the Nintendo Switch ecosystem, then you don't necessarily need to buy the new Switch OLED model.

The differences when comparing both consoles aren't all that drastic, save for a better screen (hence the OLED moniker). So, you really should consider the Switch or Switch Lite. The Switch lite is just the handheld only variant of the popular Nintendo console.

Either way, you can have just as much fun with the four-year-old Switch as you can with the new OLED model, and you can grab it from the Nintendo.com Switch page. Prices start at $199.99 for the Switch Lite, to $299.99 for the Switch.

Related: Nintendo Switch vs. Switch Lite: Which Console Should You Buy?

7. A "Classic" Console

In the absence of a next-gen console sitting in your living room, why not go for some preloaded fun with a mini console? You know the sort we mean, right? You might, for example, get a Sony PlayStation Classic Console, which comes pre-loaded with a whole bunch of classic PS1 games, such as Tekken 3, Rayman, and Destruction Derby.

You can go even more retro, if you like, and grab the NES Classic Edition of Nintendo's popular console. Again, this comes pre-loaded with games, and you can enjoy truly legendary gameplay from titles such as Super Mario Bros., Metroid, and Legend of Zelda. If you are after a Switch OLED and can't get one, get a retro Nintendo fix instead.

8. A Retro Console

Photo of a Sega Dreamcast console

If you want that authentic retro experience, then you won't get anything closer to it than an original console. Obviously, some of these retro consoles are pretty damn old and, as a result, have a price tag to match. However, if you look hard enough, you'll find all manner of treasure available via the likes of eBay and other online marketplaces, and sometimes you'll get a real bargain.

If you are looking for a Switch OLED, but don't want to splash out on a Switch or Switch Lite while you wait, perhaps consider one of Nintendo's previous consoles instead, such as the Game Boy Advance? You can enjoy heaps of previous Pokémon games this way.

Or go to a different brand and test out SEGA's criminally ignored Dreamcast console, maybe?

Related: When Good Consoles Fail—The SEGA Dreamcast

Now You Know Some Alternatives to the Big Three Consoles

OK, so perhaps nothing is going cure the crushing disappointment of missing out on a PS5, Xbox Series X, or Switch OLED. However, the buck doesn't have to stop at one of those consoles. As you can see, there are plenty of alternatives out there and you don't even need to look too hard.

You never know, you may just happen across one of the best consoles to ever have existed!