Shopping Recommendations

One of the tricky parts of the projects on this page is figuring out where to buy the parts you need to make them.  With that in mind, I’ve thrown together this list of parts and useful links to help you find them.   I’ve personally purchased almost everything in this list at least once from the site shown, so I am comfortable with my recommendations but I can’t guarantee anything on this list and provide absolutely no warranty.

Also, I live in the USA, so keep in mind that the best places to get some of these things may be different for you if you live somewhere else.  As an Amazon Associate I earn money from qualifying purchases for links that take you to Amazon.

Raspberry Pi

  • Raspberry Pi Zero W (board only) – Adafruit
  • Raspberry Pi 3B+ (board only) – Element 14
  • Raspberry Pi Zero W (starter kit) – Amazon
  • Raspberry Pi 3B+ (starter kit) – Amazon

Arduino

  • Arduino Nano (with USB cable) – Amazon
  • Arduino Nano (multi-pack) – Amazon

USB Cables

  • Micro-B to Mini USB Cable (Raspberry Pi Zero to Arduino) – Amazon
  • USB to Mini USB Cable (Raspberry Pi 3 to Arduino) – Amazon

USB Power Adapter

  • Micro-B Power Adapter (3.5A) – Amazon

Console Joystick Extension Cables

  • NES Joystick Extension Cable – Amazon
  • SNES Joystick Extension Cable – Amazon

Various Logic Chips

  • Parallel In Serial Out 8-bit Shift Register (Chip Model 4021) – Ebay
  • Serial In Parallel Out 8-bit Shift Register (Chip Model 74HC164) – Ebay

Simple Circuit Components

Prototyping Supplies

  • Small Solderable Breadboards – Amazon
  • Large Solderable Breadboards – Amazon
  • Small Perfboards – Amazon
  • Medium Perfboards (8×12 cm) – Amazon
  • Large Perfboards (10×15 cm) – Amazon
  • Small Breadboard – Amazon
  • Large Breadboard – Amazon
  • Pin Headers (breakable) – Amazon

Buttons and Switches

  • Tactile Buttons (12mm) – Adafruit
  • Soft Tactile Buttons (8mm) – Adafruit
  • Small Tactile Buttons (6mm) – Adafruit
  • Tactile Buttons with Caps (round) – Adafruit
  • Tactile Buttons with Caps (square) – Adafruit
  • Metal Ball Tactile Buttons – Adafruit
  • Mini Toggle Switch (SPDT, panel mount) – Adafruit
  • Mini Toggle Switch (DPDT, panel mount) – Adafruit

Wiring

  • Solid Copper Wire (22 AWG, Dispenser Box) – Amazon
  • Rosin Core Solder (Leaded) – Amazon
  • Rosin Core Solder (Unleaded) – Amazon

3D Printing

  • Original Prusa i3 MK3 3D Printer (Kit) – Prusa
  • Original Prusa i3 MK3 3D Printer (Assembled) – Prusa
  • PLA Filament – Amazon
  • PETG Filament – Amazon