Reddit mentions of CanaKit Raspberry Pi Zero W (Wireless) Starter Kit with Official Case - 8 GB Edition

Some of the kits on Amazon are great, specifically the ones by CanaKit. They usually come with everything needed to get started (Pi, power adapter, sdcard, case, etc.) Some kits have more items than others.

As for which Pi, there are only really two options: the Pi 3 or the Pi Zero W. The other models are older and slower or lacking wifi/Bluetooth/etc. The Pi3 is more powerful and requires less adapters to make it plug into your TV, use USB devices, etc. The Pi Zero W requires some adapters and isn't as powerful but it is cheaper and a lot smaller so it is great for projects where you want it as small as possible. Both are great.

Overall, I'd recommend a Pi 3. More powerful, less messing with adapters, and still pretty small. This kit covers all the bases: CanaKit Raspberry Pi 3 Complete Starter Kit - 32 GB Edition: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C6Q2GSY/

Pi 3, case, power, SD card, HDMI cable, SD reader, and heatsinks.

Edit: Here is a similar kit for the Pi Zero W if you want to go the smaller/cheaper route: CanaKit Raspberry Pi Zero W (Wireless) Starter Kit with Official Case https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJQV162/

The SD card isn't as large and you don't get a card reader but you do get the needed HDMI and USB adapters.

Hope it helps!

If they just want to play older games (NES, SNES, Gensis), I'd say get a Raspberry Pi 0. For $33 on Amazon you can get the 0, the official Pi case, a charger, an 8gb memory card, HDMI adapter, and USB adapter.

If you really want to minimize your cost, just buy a 2 pack of controllers and give each guy one of them. A 2 pack is only $16.

Your total cost per complete system would be $40.99.

And follow what /u/Xials said below to save a lot of time reloading the Retropie software and content.

https://www.amazon.com/CanaKit-Raspberry-Wireless-Starter-Official/dp/B06XJQV162/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1511360370&sr=8-3&keywords=raspberry+pi+0

https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Controller-iNNEXT-Classic-Multicolored/dp/B01N48L71I/ref=sr_1_11?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1511360647&sr=1-11&keywords=usb+controller

You can even go smaller and less expensive. I have the Raspberry Pi Zero W with Pi-hole as my whole home blocker. I bought this Raspberry Pi Zero W and it's really working great as my ad blocker.
It was a snap to setup too, even for a Linux noob like me.

[Hatchbox PLA] (https://www.amazon.com/HATCHBOX-3D-PLA-1KG1-75-BLK-Filament-Dimensional/dp/B00J0ECR5I/ref=pd_bxgy_328_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00J0ECR5I&pd_rd_r=Q8MR8GV7GD834TEFE79Y&pd_rd_w=rLlmq&pd_rd_wg=VRhs7&psc=1&refRID=Q8MR8GV7GD834TEFE79Y) may seem a bit obvious, but to newcomers they might not know what kind of filament to get. Hatchbox has some quality stuff! I have had exceptional luck with the black.


I would also recommend the Raspberry Pi Zero W for use with octoprint. Here is a [kit with everything you need] (https://www.amazon.com/CanaKit-Raspberry-Wireless-Starter-Official/dp/B06XJQV162/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1498744224&sr=8-2&keywords=raspberry+pi+zero+w+kit) from Canakit on Amazon ($35) as well as the [original] (https://www.adafruit.com/product/3400) from the Adafruit store ($10). Note that the original comes with nothing but the Pi, so you will need your own accessories (i.e. Micro Usb OTG plug, mini HDMI to HDMI adapter, micro usb charger, etc)

Either get this if you want small form factor or one of these, 2 if you want a bit more processing power. The first one (the pi zero w) will work just fine though, save you about 40% too.

If you're new to the Raspberry Pi I'd strongly advise a Pi 3B if you can afford it, it's just an all-round more fuctional machine. The Zero is really only better if you're constrained for space.

I've not used them myself, but people on this sub tend to recommend Canakit kits.

CanaKit Raspberry Pi Zero W (Wireless) Starter Kit with Official Case
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJQV162/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_ezsazbX0Y6CJN
is listed for $40 and doesn't include the hdmi cable.