Dev-kits

I don’t know if this the right thread to post this on or if I’m even aloud to but I have some questions about dev-kits.

Me and my friend want to start tinkering with dev-kits for any system to make simple games for fun. My questions for you are:

What is the easiest current generation system (ps2, Xbox Gamecube, etc.) to make games for?

What is the best dev-kit for that system?

Where can I get that particular dev-kit?

Is it freeware?

Where is a good site for beginers to start learning dev-kit technology?

That’s pretty much it. If this is an illegal post, I’m sorry and please disregard it and thank you for any and all help.