Raspberry Pi - which starter pack is best?

[James Falconer]

I like tinkering. I also like retro gaming. For these reasons I'm considering picking up a Raspberry Pi starter pack to build my own machine.

Jerry, do you have any recommendations on what to buy? There seem to be a lot of package options on Amazon, and I could use your help!

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

Chris and I just looked at a bunch last month for a Kodi thing. We both liked this one

https://www.amazon.com/CanaKit-Rasp...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU5657626

Really, any kit with a board, case, sd card (unless you have extras laying around) and a cable (ditto about laying around) is where to start. Get everything up and running with a keyboard/mouse/gamepad on your computer monitor first. Then look at options for a cabinet and LCD if you want to build a standalone retrofunbox.

My neighbor's son and I are in the process of building a NES mini clone. We're still in the "make it work on the monitor" stage because I'm forcing him to do all the OS setup and coding.

I'll drop this here:

ControlBlock · petRockBlog · Online Store Powered by Storenvy

It's a prebuilt board for adding a NES/SNES controller complete with a power toggle and usb header.

Make something amazing man. Like a full-size Donkey Kong arcade replica.

 

[James Falconer]

Oh man, a full size arcade unit would be amazing.

Thanks for all the info here, super helpful. The old wallet is about to get a little lighter!

 

[Golfdriver97]

Perhaps building a barebones PC? At least that way, some more functionality can be used, like also using it for music and movie watching, say like a home theatre system?

 

[James Falconer]

What would you have in mind there?

 

[pkcable]

My neighbor's son and I are in the process of building a NES mini clone. We're still in the "make it work on the monitor" stage because I'm forcing him to do all the OS setup and coding.

I'll drop this here:

ControlBlock · petRockBlog · Online Store Powered by Storenvy

It's a prebuilt board for adding a NES/SNES controller complete with a power toggle and usb header.

Make something amazing man. Like a full-size Donkey Kong arcade replica.

Interesting my brother and his son are doing something VERY similar!

 

[Golfdriver97]

What would you have in mind there?

Depending on how much you want to spend. I have a BeeBox from AsRock that altogether was about 225. Add Windows, and then emulators and you have your Gaming PC.

The Pi will be cheaper, no doubt. But the PC will offer more options.