My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin

My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin

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

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Episodes

Title Duration Published Consumed
Peter Whalen, game director (Hearthstone, Teamfight Tactics). 01:21:49 2025-06-24 07:00
Ray Chase, voice actor (Final Fantasy XV, Xmen '97, Demon Slayer). 01:21:29 2025-06-17 07:00
Robbie Singh, streamer, studio founder (Omeda). 01:07:20 2025-06-10 07:00
Listener Console Special #3 00:49:18 2025-06-05 07:00
Elena Lobova, Ukrainian entrepreneur, game developer. 01:14:17 2025-06-03 07:00
Game Club (with Glenn Moore): Return of the Obra Dinn. 00:30:48 2025-05-30 07:00
Bennett Foddy, philosopher, game designer (QWOP, GIRP, Getting Over It). 01:19:49 2025-05-26 07:00
Tomm Hulett, game designer (Silent Hill series, Contra, Bloodstained, River City Girls). 01:16:15 2025-05-19 07:00
Grentperez, musician. 01:07:08 2025-05-12 07:00
Alex Kealy, comedian. 01:17:18 2025-05-06 10:54
Liam Wong, photographer, director. 01:28:37 2025-04-28 07:00
Guillaume Provost, studio director Compulsion Games (South of Midnight, We Happy Few). 01:23:17 2025-04-21 07:00
Correspondence Special #6: WarioWare: Idiom Edition, The Observer's future game coverage, and more. 00:32:32 2025-04-17 07:00
Celia Hodent, UX specialist (Ubisoft Montreal, LucasArts, Epic Games). 01:18:44 2025-04-14 07:00
Joel Morris, comedy writer (Philomena Cunk, Black Mirror, Paddington). 01:31:27 2025-04-07 07:00
Saraya Bevis, professional wrestler. 01:13:25 2025-03-31 07:00
Seamus Blackley, originator of the Xbox. 01:19:25 2025-03-24 07:00
Keith Burns, artist. 01:19:44 2025-03-17 07:00
Marjolein Robertson, comedian. 01:23:08 2025-03-10 07:00
Steffan Powell, BBC's Gaming and Culture Correspondent. 01:27:03 2025-03-03 07:00
Dr. Greg Zeschuk, co-founder Bioware. 01:26:17 2025-02-24 07:00
Listener Console Special #2 00:54:15 2025-02-19 10:00
Basia Bułat, folk musician. 01:21:20 2025-02-17 07:00
Adanna Nedd, narrative designer (Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To). 01:20:27 2025-02-10 07:00
Daniel Pemberton, composer (Slow Horses, Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Concord). 01:20:58 2025-02-03 07:00
Best of 2024 (Part 2). 01:05:42 2025-01-14 07:00
Best of 2024 (Part 1). 01:11:54 2025-01-07 07:00
Console of the Year Award (2024). 00:14:15 2024-12-31 07:00
Game of the Year 2024 (ft. Glenn Moore). 01:25:22 2024-12-24 07:00
G. T. Karber, crime writer, Murdle. 01:25:41 2024-12-16 07:00
Billy Basso, game-maker, Animal Well. 01:21:29 2024-12-09 06:00
Correspondence Special #5: The Best Video Game SFX? 00:35:44 2024-12-05 07:00
Jordan Mechner, creator of Prince of Persia. 01:27:03 2024-12-02 11:01
Andy McNamara, former editor-in-chief, Game Informer. 01:22:03 2024-11-25 07:00
Corinne Busche & John Epler, game directors, Dragon Age: The Veilguard. 01:18:06 2024-11-18 07:00
Sarah Elmaleh, voice actor (Fortnite, Halo Infinite, Gears of War 5). 01:21:36 2024-11-11 07:00
Matt Firor, founder of ZeniMax Online Studios (The Elder Scrolls Online). 01:10:34 2024-11-04 07:00
Pitof Comar, film director (Catwoman, Alien: Resurrection). 01:11:51 2024-10-28 07:00
Hannah Nicklin, playwright, narrative designer (Mutazione, Saltsea Chronicles). 01:16:10 2024-10-21 07:00
Danny Wallace, writer & broadcaster (Yes Man, Assassin's Creed series). 01:06:48 2024-10-14 07:00
Nainita Desai, composer (Immortality, Call of Duty, Tales of Kenzera: Zau). 01:14:12 2024-10-07 07:00
Eugene Jarvis, gamemaker (Defender, Robotron: 2084, Smash TV). 01:16:25 2024-09-30 07:00
Uwe Boll, film director (House of the Dead, Alone in the Dark, Postal). 01:13:24 2024-09-23 07:00
Derek Yu, gamemaker (Spelunky, UFO 50). 01:11:10 2024-09-16 07:00
Correspondence Special #4: Clickbait? 00:35:20 2024-09-13 07:00
Chris Deering, former President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. 01:14:25 2024-09-09 07:00
Eliot Higgins, founder of Bellingcat. 01:12:41 2024-09-02 07:00
Bonus: Game Club vs. The Messenger 00:34:44 2024-08-29 07:00
Maddy Thorson, game-maker (Towerfall, Celeste). 01:08:51 2024-08-26 07:00
Holly Gramazio, curator, novelist (The Husbands). 01:18:30 2024-08-19 07:00
Listener Console Special #1 00:21:32 2024-08-15 09:51
Luke Muscat, gamemaker (Fruit Ninja, Jetpack Joyride). 01:20:44 2024-08-12 07:00
Tribute Episode: Brett Jones, artist (Goldeneye 007, Perfect Dark, Guardians of the Galaxy). 00:33:53 2024-08-05 07:00
Steve Meretszky, author of interactive fiction (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy; A Mind Forever Voyaging). 01:18:00 2024-07-29 07:00
Rhianna Pratchett, writer for games (Heavenly Sword, Mirror's Edge, Tomb Raider). 01:18:25 2024-07-22 07:00
Richard Sparks, librettist, writer (L.A. Opera, Not the Nine O'Clock News). 01:11:55 2024-07-15 07:00
Kelsey Beachum, narrative designer (Outer Wilds). 01:21:37 2024-07-08 07:00
Mike Drucker, comedy writer, the Tonight Show. 01:13:48 2024-07-01 07:00
Michael Sherman, director of e-sports, Riot Games. 01:14:13 2024-06-24 07:00
Correspondence Special #3: What was the best year for video games? 00:34:41 2024-06-20 07:00
Eric Barone, creator of Stardew Valley. 01:15:06 2024-06-17 07:00
Nina Freeman, gamemaker (Cibele, Tacoma, Last Call). 01:12:51 2024-06-10 07:00
Abubakar Salim, actor (Napoleon, House of the Dragon). 01:13:06 2024-06-03 07:00
Chet Faliszek, gamemaker (Half-Life 2 series, Left 4 Dead series, The Anacrusis). 01:22:20 2024-05-27 07:00
MPC Game Club: Stephen's Sausage Roll (feat. Glenn Moore). 00:37:25 2024-05-23 07:00
Veronica Roth, novelist (The Divergent Trilogy, When Among Crows). 01:10:00 2024-05-20 07:00
Correspondence Special #2: The best game Keita Takahashi never made. 00:33:20 2024-05-16 07:00
Teddy Dief, gamemaker (Hyper Light Drifter, We are OFK). 01:16:29 2024-05-14 11:24
Keith Stuart, journalist & novelist (A Boy Made of Blocks, Love is a Curse). 01:20:18 2024-05-06 07:00
Masaya Matsuura, musician, gamemaker (PaRappa the Rapper). 01:19:20 2024-04-29 07:00
Sarah Keyworth, comedian. 01:18:11 2024-04-22 07:00
John Johanas, creative director Tango Gameworks (The Evil Within, Hi-Fi Rush). 01:26:29 2024-04-15 07:00
Siobhan Reddy, co-deputy chair, BAFTA. 01:13:34 2024-04-08 07:00
Correspondence Special #1: Revisiting Jack Thompson. 00:38:25 2024-04-04 07:00
Wes Fenlon, senior editor, PC Gamer. 01:22:44 2024-04-01 07:00
Jack Thompson, Former lawyer, "anti-video-game activist." 01:15:32 2024-03-25 07:00
Abhi Swaminathan, gamemaker (Venba). 01:13:15 2024-03-18 07:00
Val McDermid, crime writer, Booker Prize judge. 01:07:12 2024-03-11 07:00
Patrick House, neuroscientist and writer. 01:20:49 2024-03-04 07:00
Yoshinori Kitase, director & producer (Final Fantasy series, Chrono Trigger). 01:05:27 2024-02-26 07:00
Rod Fergusson, SVP Blizzard Entertainment (Gears of War, Bioshock Infinite, Diablo IV). 01:18:03 2024-02-19 07:00
Helen Macdonald & Sin Blaché (Writers, H is for Hawk, Prophet). 01:18:24 2024-02-12 07:00
Iain Lee (broadcaster, comedian, counsellor). 01:19:30 2024-02-06 10:00
Gary Whitta, screenwriter (The Book of Eli, Star Wars: Rogue One). 01:20:44 2024-01-30 09:42
Best of 2023 (Part 2). 01:11:32 2024-01-08 07:00
Best of 2023 (Part 1). 00:58:29 2023-12-31 07:00
Console of the Year Award (2023) 00:29:12 2023-12-25 02:00
Nolan Bushnell, co-founder Atari. 01:13:44 2023-12-19 07:00
Josh Scherr, narrative director (co-writer Uncharted 4, The Last of Us Part II). 01:21:46 2023-12-12 10:36
Iain Stirling, comedian, voice of Love Island. 01:13:06 2023-12-04 07:00
Mike Rose, indie game publisher (No More Robots). 01:20:25 2023-11-27 07:00
Jason Schreier, investigative journalist, Bloomberg. 01:20:27 2023-11-20 07:00
Bryan Lee O'Malley, graphic novelist (Scott Pilgrim). 01:10:42 2023-11-13 07:00
Naomi Alderman, novelist (The Power, The Future). 01:16:17 2023-11-06 07:00
Meghna Jayanth, narrative designer (80 Days, Sunless Seas, Thirsty Suitors). 01:23:20 2023-10-30 07:00
Lucas Pope, gamemaker (Papers, Please; Return of the Obra Dinn). 01:15:27 2023-10-23 07:00
David Wilson, former Director of Communications, PlayStation. (LIVE @ WASD) 01:08:20 2023-10-16 07:00
Pierre Novellie, comedian. 01:08:39 2023-10-09 07:00
Jennifer Hale, voice actor (Mass Effect, Metal Gear Solid, Knights of the Old Republic, Cinderella) 01:10:41 2023-10-02 07:00
Kieron Gillen, comic book author (Star Wars, X-Men, Iron Man, DIE). 01:16:01 2023-09-25 07:00
Annabel Ashalley-Anthony, founder Melanin Gamers. 01:10:41 2023-09-18 07:00
Clint Hocking, creative director (Splinter Cell, Far Cry 4, Watch Dogs Legion, Assassin's Creed Infinity) 01:21:18 2023-09-11 07:00
Peter Molyneux O.B.E., video game designer (Populous, Theme Park, Fable). 01:14:41 2023-09-04 07:00
Frank Lantz, founding chair, NYU Game Center. 01:16:06 2023-08-28 07:00
Stella Wisdom, digital curator, British Library. 01:05:56 2023-08-21 07:00
Sam Barlow, game director (Silent Hill, Her Story, Immortality). 01:12:20 2023-08-14 07:00
Joseph Mackertich, editor, Time Out. 01:12:29 2023-08-07 07:00
Paul Chowdhry, actor, comedian. 01:09:20 2023-07-31 07:00
Dominic Armato, food critic & voice actor (The Curse of Monkey Island, Sea of Thieves) 01:17:01 2023-07-24 07:00
Chella Ramanan, narrative designer (Tales of Windrush; Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora) 01:06:22 2023-07-17 07:00
Dylan Cuthbert, President Q-Games. 01:14:06 2023-07-10 07:00
Glenn Moore, comedian. 01:18:46 2023-07-03 07:00
Marie Le Conte, political journalist. 01:06:32 2023-06-26 07:00
Jörg Tittel, writer & director (The Last Worker, C-Smash VRS) 01:10:51 2023-06-19 07:00
Greg Kasavin, creative director, Supergiant Games (Hades, Bastion.) 01:16:17 2023-06-12 07:00
Tom Bissell, author & scriptwriter (Gears of War, Star Wars: Andor.) 01:19:06 2023-06-05 07:00
Sooz Kempner, comedian. 01:02:01 2023-05-29 07:00
Kelsey Lewin, co-director Video Game History Foundation. 01:14:56 2023-05-22 07:00
Danny Pudi, actor (Community, Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet). 01:00:42 2023-05-15 07:00
Tetsuya Mizuguchi, gamemaker (Rez, Lumines, Child of Eden). 00:58:49 2023-05-08 07:00
Iain Cook, musician (Chvrches). 01:11:51 2023-05-01 07:00
Ellie Gibson, comedian (Scummy Mummies). 01:11:10 2023-04-28 09:17
Ronan Farrow, investigative journalist, New Yorker. 01:10:01 2023-04-24 07:00
Dan Vecchitto, gamemaker (Trombone Champ). 01:05:34 2023-04-20 07:00
Charles Cecil MBE, gamemaker (Broken Sword, Beneath a Steel Sky). 00:57:03 2023-04-17 07:11
Grace Curtis, science fiction author (Frontier, Floating Hotel). 01:03:22 2023-04-13 07:00
Erik Wolpaw, writer Portal 1 & 2. 01:12:32 2023-04-10 07:00
Sir Ian Livingstone, co-founder Games Workshop. 00:52:34 2023-04-06 07:00
Susan Calman, comic, writer, presenter. 00:59:05 2023-04-03 07:00
Henk Rogers, the man who sold Tetris. 01:06:54 2023-03-27 07:00
Jake Solomon, game designer (Marvel’s Midnight Suns; XCOM: Enemy Unknown.) 01:14:25 2023-03-21 09:48
Phil Wang, comedian. 01:05:08 2023-03-13 07:00
Shahid Ahmad, former director, Sony PlayStation. 00:54:30 2023-03-06 07:15
Phil Fish, creator of Fez. 01:08:49 2023-02-27 07:15
Heather Anne Campbell, comedian, screenwriter (Rick and Morty). 01:04:13 2023-02-20 07:15
Tarn Adams, creator of Dwarf Fortress. 01:06:36 2023-02-14 07:15
Dara Ó Briain, comedian. 00:59:25 2023-02-07 07:11
Ashly Burch, actor (Mythic Quest, The Last of Us, Horizon). 01:06:00 2023-01-31 10:33
Josh Wardle, creator of Wordle. 00:59:41 2023-01-24 07:15
Trailer 00:09:32 2023-01-16 10:46