What is your budget? A lot of posts for retailers, but here are some links for Amazon (no referal link, not making anything on this).
Sensor kit (pi board, sensors, breadboard, wires, cables, microsd...no case, power, fan, heatsinks) - $135 in stockhttps://www.amazon.com/SunFounder-Raspberry-Modules-Sensor-Included/dp/B07896TMD9
RPI3B+ (board, case, power supply, video cable, microSD, USB reader, heat sinks) - $80 in stockhttps://www.amazon.com/CanaKit-Raspberry-Complete-Starter-Kit/dp/B01C6Q2GSY
RPI4B 4GB (board, case, power w/switch, 2 video cables, microsd, USB reader, heat sinks, fan) - $100 in stockhttps://www.amazon.com/LABISTS-Raspberry-Complete-Preloaded-Heatsinks/dp/B07YRSYR3MRaspberry Pi home automation sensor kit - $22 in stockhttps://www.amazon.com/KOOKYE-Modules-Arduino-Raspberry-Professional/dp/B01J9GD3DG
Ultimate sensor kit - $75 in stockhttps://www.amazon.com/Adeept-Modules-Ultimate-Raspberry-Guidebook/dp/B01M4OVDHM
If you have Target in your area, many of them stock Raspberry Pi 3B+ starter and ultimate kits for $80 and $90 respectively (https://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=raspberry+pi)
Pi3B+ Starter Kit - Board, case, power supply w/switch, microsd, USB reader, heat sinks, video cable
Pi3B+ Ultimate Kit - Board, case, power supply w/switch, microsd, USB reader, heat sinks, video cable, breadboard, wires, leds, resistors, couple sensors, GPIO break-out
Lastly, Best Buy also has many kits in stock (and for shipment). More than what Target has, but most not in stores. Pi 3 and 4.
Thanks! I found this kit on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/CanaKit-Raspberry-Complete-Starter-Kit/dp/B01C6Q2GSY/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1509041045&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=canakit+raspberry+pi+3&psc=1
I have a few HDMI cables lying around so I think outside of controllers I should be all set?
Rasperry Pi 3 Starter Kit. It's a powerful, tiny computer that is great for tinkering with. I imagine if he likes coding and pet projects, he'll find lots he can do with this.
Hmm... I see that now. But I think you're right. Even at $90 now, I cannot imagine them lowering it much
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C6Q4GLE/
I saw this as a non-prime day lightning deal yesterday for $62, down from $70. Was tempting, but I didn't need most of the crap in it.
https://www.amazon.com/CanaKit-Raspberry-Complete-Starter-Kit/dp/B01C6Q2GSY/
I ended up buying this one that seemed cheaper than buying the RP3 and power supply separately. $43 total.
BTW, if you want to save a about 30 bucks, there is also this one from CanaKit. I ordered a Pi Zero kit from them directly once and they are reputable. The only difference is no controllers, difference case (with out the fan), and the PSU is 5v 2.5a (without the button/switch). Also, you will probably have to write your own image of Retropie to the Micro SD but that is easy, many YT videos on that.
Lastly you could move down to this kit from CanaKit. You would need to add an SD card but this 32gb card is only 10 bucks...puts you down to 60, saving about 40 bucks from the original. Its all about what YOU want though. :D let me know if you have any questions.
Guarantee it? Easy! Build something better:
1x: https://www.amazon.com/CanaKit-Raspberry-Complete-Starter-Kit/dp/B01C6Q2GSY
2x: https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Bluetooth-Controller-Classic-Joystick-Android/dp/B014QP2H1E
Spend an hour setting up https://retropie.org.uk/
Congratulations! You now have a:
That is ~2.5 inches wide, ~3.5 inches long and ~1 inch high.
Otherwise, get in line at a Best Buy about a month in advance.
I recommend the Canakit.
https://www.amazon.com/CanaKit-Raspberry-Complete-Starter-Kit/dp/B01C6Q2GSY
For $70 everything is included. I put an RPie together last Christmas and instead of relying on the wife and family to find the parts as gifts, I just sent them to that link. Super easy, and it's been running non-stop all day since then.