> The RP2040 requires careful placement of about a dozen components, including a crystal.

I have had 14yo kids do the PCB layout for RP2040 on our custom handheld console. They had no trouble.

Nor did I with my ~10 boards.

Crystal is the simplest, decoupling can be a chore, but only if you add them too late. Power can be 90% done with a pour under the package.