My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin
By Simon Parkin
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Category: Video Games
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Subscribers: 191
Reviews: 2
Episodes: 181
Jimbo
Feb 7, 2026
Jan 10, 2024
Description
In My Perfect Console, Simon Parkin, award-winning author video game critic for The Observer invites well-known guests from the worlds of gaming, film and television, music, comedy and more to pick the five video games they would like to immortalise on a fictional games machine. They discuss those five games in chronological order of release, interspersed with biographical chat about the guest’s life and career –– a lens that often leads to new and unexpected insights.
"Thoroughly modern and ahead of its time...a gift." - NEW YORK'S VULTURE
"Charming, insightful." -- THE GUARDIAN
TIME OUT'S 50 Best Podcasts
VULTURE's Best Podcast of the Year
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
|
Evan Narcisse, writer (Rise of the Black Panther, Spider-Man, Wu-Tang: Ruse of the Deceiver) - Live @ University of Chicago
|
Mar 24, 2026 |
|
Ed Atkins, artist.
|
Mar 17, 2026 |
|
Tom Keegan, performance director (Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Battlefield, Resident Evil 2 Remake).
|
Mar 10, 2026 |
|
Keza Macdonald, author, games editor The Guardian.
|
Mar 03, 2026 |
|
Ed Fries, former head of Microsoft Game Studios.
|
Feb 24, 2026 |
|
Prokop Jirsa, lead designer (Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2).
|
Feb 17, 2026 |
|
Dr. Elin Festøy, creative producer (My Child Lebensborn; My Child: New Beginnings)
|
Feb 10, 2026 |
|
Jon Ingold, co-founder Inkle (80 Days, Expelled!, TR-49).
|
Feb 03, 2026 |
|
MPC Remastered: Phil Fish
|
Jan 27, 2026 |
|
MPC Remastered: Heather Anne Campbell
|
Jan 20, 2026 |
|
My Perfect Console: Best of 2025 (pt 2.)
|
Jan 13, 2026 |
|
My Perfect Console: Best of 2025 (pt 1.)
|
Jan 06, 2026 |
|
Console of the Year Award (2025).
|
Dec 29, 2025 |
|
Game of the Year 2025 (ft. Glenn Moore).
|
Dec 23, 2025 |
|
Harvey Smith, game director (Deus Ex, Dishonored, Redfall)
|
Dec 16, 2025 |
|
Alex Seropian, co-founder of Bungie (Live @ University of Chicago).
|
Dec 09, 2025 |
|
Mark Cerny, lead system architect, PlayStation 4 & 5.
|
Dec 02, 2025 |
|
Brandon Adler, game director, The Outer Worlds 2.
|
Nov 25, 2025 |
|
Correspondence Special #8: Catching guests out, coding on ships, and best moments in games
|
Nov 21, 2025 |
|
Andy Davidson, creator of Worms.
|
Nov 18, 2025 |
|
Shuhei Yoshida, former president, Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios.
|
Nov 11, 2025 |
|
Danny Abbasi, musician, Miniseries.
|
Nov 04, 2025 |
|
Rami Ismail, gamemaker (Nuclear Throne, Ridiculous Fishing, Luftrausers, Australia Did It).
|
Oct 28, 2025 |
|
Lorien Testard, composer (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33).
|
Oct 21, 2025 |
|
Chris Plante, writer, editor (Polygon, The Verge, Limetown, Post Games).
|
Oct 14, 2025 |
|
Claire L. Evans, musician, writer, artist (YACHT, Blippo+).
|
Oct 07, 2025 |
|
Alexander O. Smith, translator (Vagrant Story, Phoenix Wright, Final Fantasy series).
|
Sep 29, 2025 |
|
Charlie Rosen, bandleader, The 8-bit Big Band.
|
Sep 23, 2025 |
|
Andy Robertson, journalist, entrepreneur (BBC, Ludocene).
|
Sep 16, 2025 |
|
Lizzie Killian, musician (Teens in Trouble).
|
Sep 09, 2025 |
|
Jonathan Jacques-Belletête, creative director, Hell is Us.
|
Sep 02, 2025 |
|
Tonda Ros, gamemaker, Blue Prince.
|
Aug 26, 2025 |
|
Brian Gibson, artist, musician (Lightning Bolt, Guitar Hero, Thumper).
|
Aug 19, 2025 |
|
Correspondence Special #7: Zelda snubs, lost gaming communities, and fake monkey languages.
|
Aug 14, 2025 |
|
Ralph Panebianco, critic, YouTube creator (Skill Up).
|
Aug 12, 2025 |
|
Greg Jenner, historian.
|
Aug 05, 2025 |
|
Nathan Brown, writer, analyst, former editor Edge.
|
Jul 29, 2025 |
|
Kat Abughazaleh, influencer, politician.
|
Jul 22, 2025 |
|
Jimi Famurewa, food critic.
|
Jul 15, 2025 |
|
Ed Night, comedian.
|
Jul 08, 2025 |
|
Cabel Sasser, co-founder Panic (creators of the Playdate console).
|
Jul 01, 2025 |
|
Peter Whalen, game director (Hearthstone, Teamfight Tactics).
|
Jun 24, 2025 |
|
Ray Chase, voice actor (Final Fantasy XV, Xmen '97, Demon Slayer).
|
Jun 17, 2025 |
|
Robbie Singh, streamer, studio founder (Omeda).
|
Jun 10, 2025 |
|
Listener Console Special #3
|
Jun 05, 2025 |
|
Elena Lobova, Ukrainian entrepreneur, game developer.
|
Jun 03, 2025 |
|
Game Club (with Glenn Moore): Return of the Obra Dinn.
|
May 30, 2025 |
|
Bennett Foddy, philosopher, game designer (QWOP, GIRP, Getting Over It).
|
May 26, 2025 |
|
Tomm Hulett, game designer (Silent Hill series, Contra, Bloodstained, River City Girls).
|
May 19, 2025 |
|
Grentperez, musician.
|
May 12, 2025 |
|
Alex Kealy, comedian.
|
May 06, 2025 |
|
Liam Wong, photographer, director.
|
Apr 28, 2025 |
|
Guillaume Provost, studio director Compulsion Games (South of Midnight, We Happy Few).
|
Apr 21, 2025 |
|
Correspondence Special #6: WarioWare: Idiom Edition, The Observer's future game coverage, and more.
|
Apr 17, 2025 |
|
Celia Hodent, UX specialist (Ubisoft Montreal, LucasArts, Epic Games).
|
Apr 14, 2025 |
|
Joel Morris, comedy writer (Philomena Cunk, Black Mirror, Paddington).
|
Apr 07, 2025 |
|
Saraya Bevis, professional wrestler.
|
Mar 31, 2025 |
|
Seamus Blackley, originator of the Xbox.
|
Mar 24, 2025 |
|
Keith Burns, artist.
|
Mar 17, 2025 |
|
Marjolein Robertson, comedian.
|
Mar 10, 2025 |
|
Steffan Powell, BBC's Gaming and Culture Correspondent.
|
Mar 03, 2025 |
|
Dr. Greg Zeschuk, co-founder Bioware.
|
Feb 24, 2025 |
|
Listener Console Special #2
|
Feb 19, 2025 |
|
Basia Bułat, folk musician.
|
Feb 17, 2025 |
|
Adanna Nedd, narrative designer (Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To).
|
Feb 10, 2025 |
|
Daniel Pemberton, composer (Slow Horses, Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Concord).
|
Feb 03, 2025 |
|
Best of 2024 (Part 2).
|
Jan 14, 2025 |
|
Best of 2024 (Part 1).
|
Jan 07, 2025 |
|
Console of the Year Award (2024).
|
Dec 31, 2024 |
|
Game of the Year 2024 (ft. Glenn Moore).
|
Dec 24, 2024 |
|
G. T. Karber, crime writer, Murdle.
|
Dec 16, 2024 |
|
Billy Basso, game-maker, Animal Well.
|
Dec 09, 2024 |
|
Correspondence Special #5: The Best Video Game SFX?
|
Dec 05, 2024 |
|
Jordan Mechner, creator of Prince of Persia.
|
Dec 02, 2024 |
|
Andy McNamara, former editor-in-chief, Game Informer.
|
Nov 25, 2024 |
|
Corinne Busche & John Epler, game directors, Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
|
Nov 18, 2024 |
|
Sarah Elmaleh, voice actor (Fortnite, Halo Infinite, Gears of War 5).
|
Nov 11, 2024 |
|
Matt Firor, founder of ZeniMax Online Studios (The Elder Scrolls Online).
|
Nov 04, 2024 |
|
Pitof Comar, film director (Catwoman, Alien: Resurrection).
|
Oct 28, 2024 |
|
Hannah Nicklin, playwright, narrative designer (Mutazione, Saltsea Chronicles).
|
Oct 21, 2024 |
|
Danny Wallace, writer & broadcaster (Yes Man, Assassin's Creed series).
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
Nainita Desai, composer (Immortality, Call of Duty, Tales of Kenzera: Zau).
|
Oct 07, 2024 |
|
Eugene Jarvis, gamemaker (Defender, Robotron: 2084, Smash TV).
|
Sep 30, 2024 |
|
Uwe Boll, film director (House of the Dead, Alone in the Dark, Postal).
|
Sep 23, 2024 |
|
Derek Yu, gamemaker (Spelunky, UFO 50).
|
Sep 16, 2024 |
|
Correspondence Special #4: Clickbait?
|
Sep 13, 2024 |
|
Chris Deering, former President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.
|
Sep 09, 2024 |
|
Eliot Higgins, founder of Bellingcat.
|
Sep 02, 2024 |
|
Bonus: Game Club vs. The Messenger
|
Aug 29, 2024 |
|
Maddy Thorson, game-maker (Towerfall, Celeste).
|
Aug 26, 2024 |
|
Holly Gramazio, curator, novelist (The Husbands).
|
Aug 19, 2024 |
|
Listener Console Special #1
|
Aug 15, 2024 |
|
Luke Muscat, gamemaker (Fruit Ninja, Jetpack Joyride).
|
Aug 12, 2024 |
|
Tribute Episode: Brett Jones, artist (Goldeneye 007, Perfect Dark, Guardians of the Galaxy).
|
Aug 05, 2024 |
|
Steve Meretszky, author of interactive fiction (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy; A Mind Forever Voyaging).
|
Jul 29, 2024 |
|
Rhianna Pratchett, writer for games (Heavenly Sword, Mirror's Edge, Tomb Raider).
|
Jul 22, 2024 |
|
Richard Sparks, librettist, writer (L.A. Opera, Not the Nine O'Clock News).
|
Jul 15, 2024 |
|
Kelsey Beachum, narrative designer (Outer Wilds).
|
Jul 08, 2024 |
|
Mike Drucker, comedy writer, the Tonight Show.
|
Jul 01, 2024 |
|
Michael Sherman, director of e-sports, Riot Games.
|
Jun 24, 2024 |
|
Correspondence Special #3: What was the best year for video games?
|
Jun 20, 2024 |
|
Eric Barone, creator of Stardew Valley.
|
Jun 17, 2024 |
|
Nina Freeman, gamemaker (Cibele, Tacoma, Last Call).
|
Jun 10, 2024 |
|
Abubakar Salim, actor (Napoleon, House of the Dragon).
|
Jun 03, 2024 |
|
Chet Faliszek, gamemaker (Half-Life 2 series, Left 4 Dead series, The Anacrusis).
|
May 27, 2024 |
|
MPC Game Club: Stephen's Sausage Roll (feat. Glenn Moore).
|
May 23, 2024 |
|
Veronica Roth, novelist (The Divergent Trilogy, When Among Crows).
|
May 20, 2024 |
|
Correspondence Special #2: The best game Keita Takahashi never made.
|
May 16, 2024 |
|
Teddy Dief, gamemaker (Hyper Light Drifter, We are OFK).
|
May 14, 2024 |
|
Keith Stuart, journalist & novelist (A Boy Made of Blocks, Love is a Curse).
|
May 06, 2024 |
|
Masaya Matsuura, musician, gamemaker (PaRappa the Rapper).
|
Apr 29, 2024 |
|
Sarah Keyworth, comedian.
|
Apr 22, 2024 |
|
John Johanas, creative director Tango Gameworks (The Evil Within, Hi-Fi Rush).
|
Apr 15, 2024 |
|
Siobhan Reddy, co-deputy chair, BAFTA.
|
Apr 08, 2024 |
|
Correspondence Special #1: Revisiting Jack Thompson.
|
Apr 04, 2024 |
|
Wes Fenlon, senior editor, PC Gamer.
|
Apr 01, 2024 |
|
Jack Thompson, Former lawyer, "anti-video-game activist."
|
Mar 25, 2024 |
|
Abhi Swaminathan, gamemaker (Venba).
|
Mar 18, 2024 |
|
Val McDermid, crime writer, Booker Prize judge.
|
Mar 11, 2024 |
|
Patrick House, neuroscientist and writer.
|
Mar 04, 2024 |
|
Yoshinori Kitase, director & producer (Final Fantasy series, Chrono Trigger).
|
Feb 26, 2024 |
|
Rod Fergusson, SVP Blizzard Entertainment (Gears of War, Bioshock Infinite, Diablo IV).
|
Feb 19, 2024 |
|
Helen Macdonald & Sin Blaché (Writers, H is for Hawk, Prophet).
|
Feb 12, 2024 |
|
Iain Lee (broadcaster, comedian, counsellor).
|
Feb 06, 2024 |
|
Gary Whitta, screenwriter (The Book of Eli, Star Wars: Rogue One).
|
Jan 30, 2024 |
|
Best of 2023 (Part 2).
|
Jan 08, 2024 |
|
Best of 2023 (Part 1).
|
Dec 31, 2023 |
|
Console of the Year Award (2023)
|
Dec 25, 2023 |
|
Nolan Bushnell, co-founder Atari.
|
Dec 19, 2023 |
|
Josh Scherr, narrative director (co-writer Uncharted 4, The Last of Us Part II).
|
Dec 12, 2023 |
|
Iain Stirling, comedian, voice of Love Island.
|
Dec 04, 2023 |
|
Mike Rose, indie game publisher (No More Robots).
|
Nov 27, 2023 |
|
Jason Schreier, investigative journalist, Bloomberg.
|
Nov 20, 2023 |
|
Bryan Lee O'Malley, graphic novelist (Scott Pilgrim).
|
Nov 13, 2023 |
|
Naomi Alderman, novelist (The Power, The Future).
|
Nov 06, 2023 |
|
Meghna Jayanth, narrative designer (80 Days, Sunless Seas, Thirsty Suitors).
|
Oct 30, 2023 |
|
Lucas Pope, gamemaker (Papers, Please; Return of the Obra Dinn).
|
Oct 23, 2023 |
|
David Wilson, former Director of Communications, PlayStation. (LIVE @ WASD)
|
Oct 16, 2023 |
|
Pierre Novellie, comedian.
|
Oct 09, 2023 |
|
Jennifer Hale, voice actor (Mass Effect, Metal Gear Solid, Knights of the Old Republic, Cinderella)
|
Oct 02, 2023 |
|
Kieron Gillen, comic book author (Star Wars, X-Men, Iron Man, DIE).
|
Sep 25, 2023 |
|
Annabel Ashalley-Anthony, founder Melanin Gamers.
|
Sep 18, 2023 |
|
Clint Hocking, creative director (Splinter Cell, Far Cry 4, Watch Dogs Legion, Assassin's Creed Infinity)
|
Sep 11, 2023 |
|
Peter Molyneux O.B.E., video game designer (Populous, Theme Park, Fable).
|
Sep 04, 2023 |
|
Frank Lantz, founding chair, NYU Game Center.
|
Aug 28, 2023 |
|
Stella Wisdom, digital curator, British Library.
|
Aug 21, 2023 |
|
Sam Barlow, game director (Silent Hill, Her Story, Immortality).
|
Aug 14, 2023 |
|
Joseph Mackertich, editor, Time Out.
|
Aug 07, 2023 |
|
Paul Chowdhry, actor, comedian.
|
Jul 31, 2023 |
|
Dominic Armato, food critic & voice actor (The Curse of Monkey Island, Sea of Thieves)
|
Jul 24, 2023 |
|
Chella Ramanan, narrative designer (Tales of Windrush; Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora)
|
Jul 17, 2023 |
|
Dylan Cuthbert, President Q-Games.
|
Jul 10, 2023 |
|
Glenn Moore, comedian.
|
Jul 03, 2023 |
|
Marie Le Conte, political journalist.
|
Jun 26, 2023 |
|
Jörg Tittel, writer & director (The Last Worker, C-Smash VRS)
|
Jun 19, 2023 |
|
Greg Kasavin, creative director, Supergiant Games (Hades, Bastion.)
|
Jun 12, 2023 |
|
Tom Bissell, author & scriptwriter (Gears of War, Star Wars: Andor.)
|
Jun 05, 2023 |
|
Sooz Kempner, comedian.
|
May 29, 2023 |
|
Kelsey Lewin, co-director Video Game History Foundation.
|
May 22, 2023 |
|
Danny Pudi, actor (Community, Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet).
|
May 15, 2023 |
|
Tetsuya Mizuguchi, gamemaker (Rez, Lumines, Child of Eden).
|
May 08, 2023 |
|
Iain Cook, musician (Chvrches).
|
May 01, 2023 |
|
Ellie Gibson, comedian (Scummy Mummies).
|
Apr 28, 2023 |
|
Ronan Farrow, investigative journalist, New Yorker.
|
Apr 24, 2023 |
|
Dan Vecchitto, gamemaker (Trombone Champ).
|
Apr 20, 2023 |
|
Charles Cecil MBE, gamemaker (Broken Sword, Beneath a Steel Sky).
|
Apr 17, 2023 |
|
Grace Curtis, science fiction author (Frontier, Floating Hotel).
|
Apr 13, 2023 |
|
Erik Wolpaw, writer Portal 1 & 2.
|
Apr 10, 2023 |
|
Sir Ian Livingstone, co-founder Games Workshop.
|
Apr 06, 2023 |
|
Susan Calman, comic, writer, presenter.
|
Apr 03, 2023 |
|
Henk Rogers, the man who sold Tetris.
|
Mar 27, 2023 |
|
Jake Solomon, game designer (Marvel’s Midnight Suns; XCOM: Enemy Unknown.)
|
Mar 21, 2023 |
|
Phil Wang, comedian.
|
Mar 13, 2023 |
|
Shahid Ahmad, former director, Sony PlayStation.
|
Mar 06, 2023 |
|
Phil Fish, creator of Fez.
|
Feb 27, 2023 |
|
Heather Anne Campbell, comedian, screenwriter (Rick and Morty).
|
Feb 20, 2023 |
|
Tarn Adams, creator of Dwarf Fortress.
|
Feb 14, 2023 |
|
Dara Ó Briain, comedian.
|
Feb 07, 2023 |
|
Ashly Burch, actor (Mythic Quest, The Last of Us, Horizon).
|
Jan 31, 2023 |
|
Josh Wardle, creator of Wordle.
|
Jan 24, 2023 |
|
Trailer
|
Jan 16, 2023 |