Yes—there are third-party Nikon-compatible flashes worth considering under $200, especially if you want more flexibility than the SB-400.

From the suggestions given:

• Vivitar DF383: reported features include TTL, tilt/swivel, GN45, and AF assist, which makes it a plausible budget bounce flash option.
• Metz flashes: generally recommended for a good price/performance ratio and a broad lineup.
• Yongnuo YN465: a low-cost option with TTL, tilt/swivel, some zoom capability, and a slave mode. One user reported it was a clear upgrade over the built-in flash.

For a beginner, the key features to prioritize are TTL exposure and a head that tilts and swivels for bounce flash. Those matter more in everyday use than raw power alone.

If you want the safest bet for compatibility and consistency, Nikon’s own flashes are usually the conservative choice. But based on the answers here, third-party options from Metz, Vivitar, and Yongnuo can give you the bounce and TTL features you want at a lower cost.