My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin

In My Perfect Console, Simon Parkin, award-winning writer for the New Yorker and The Observer newspaper's video game critic invites a well-known guest from the worlds of gaming, film and television, music, comedy and more to pick the five video games they would like to immortalise on their very own 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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Grentperez, musician.
May 13, 2025 – 1:07:08
Alex Kealy, comedian.
May 6, 2025 – 1:17:18
Liam Wong, photographer, director.
Apr 29, 2025 – 1:28:37
Guillaume Provost, studio director Compulsion Games (South of Midnight, We Happy Few).
Apr 22, 2025 – 1:23:17
Correspondence Special #6: WarioWare: Idiom Edition, The Observer's future game coverage, and more.
Apr 17, 2025 – 32:32
Celia Hodent, UX specialist (Ubisoft Montreal, LucasArts, Epic Games).
Apr 15, 2025 – 1:18:44
Joel Morris, comedy writer (Philomena Cunk, Black Mirror, Paddington).
Apr 8, 2025 – 1:31:27
Saraya Bevis, professional wrestler.
Apr 1, 2025 – 1:13:25
Seamus Blackley, originator of the Xbox.
Mar 25, 2025 – 1:19:25
Keith Burns, artist.
Mar 19, 2025 – 1:19:44
Marjolein Robertson, comedian.
Mar 11, 2025 – 1:23:08
Steffan Powell, BBC's Gaming and Culture Correspondent.
Mar 4, 2025 – 1:27:03
Dr. Greg Zeschuk, co-founder Bioware.
Feb 25, 2025 – 1:26:17
Listener Console Special #2
Feb 19, 2025 – 54:15
Basia Bułat, folk musician.
Feb 18, 2025 – 1:21:20
Adanna Nedd, narrative designer (Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To).
Feb 11, 2025 – 1:20:27
Daniel Pemberton, composer (Slow Horses, Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Concord).
Feb 4, 2025 – 1:20:58
Best of 2024 (Part 2).
Jan 14, 2025 – 1:05:42
Best of 2024 (Part 1).
Jan 7, 2025 – 1:11:54
Console of the Year Award (2024).
Dec 31, 2024 – 14:15
Game of the Year 2024 (ft. Glenn Moore).
Dec 24, 2024 – 1:25:22
G. T. Karber, crime writer, Murdle.
Dec 17, 2024 – 1:25:41
Billy Basso, game-maker, Animal Well.
Dec 10, 2024 – 1:21:29
Correspondence Special #5: The Best Video Game SFX?
Dec 5, 2024 – 35:44
Jordan Mechner, creator of Prince of Persia.
Dec 3, 2024 – 1:27:03
Andy McNamara, former editor-in-chief, Game Informer.
Nov 26, 2024 – 1:22:03
Corinne Busche & John Epler, game directors, Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
Nov 19, 2024 – 1:18:06
Sarah Elmaleh, voice actor (Fortnite, Halo Infinite, Gears of War 5).
Nov 12, 2024 – 1:21:36
Matt Firor, founder of ZeniMax Online Studios (The Elder Scrolls Online).
Nov 5, 2024 – 1:10:34
Pitof Comar, film director (Catwoman, Alien: Resurrection).
Oct 29, 2024 – 1:11:51
Hannah Nicklin, playwright, narrative designer (Mutazione, Saltsea Chronicles).
Oct 22, 2024 – 1:16:10
Danny Wallace, writer & broadcaster (Yes Man, Assassin's Creed series).
Oct 15, 2024 – 1:06:48
Nainita Desai, composer (Immortality, Call of Duty, Tales of Kenzera: Zau).
Oct 8, 2024 – 1:14:12
Eugene Jarvis, gamemaker (Defender, Robotron: 2084, Smash TV).
Oct 1, 2024 – 1:16:25
Uwe Boll, film director (House of the Dead, Alone in the Dark, Postal).
Sep 24, 2024 – 1:13:24
Derek Yu, gamemaker (Spelunky, UFO 50).
Sep 17, 2024 – 1:11:10
Correspondence Special #4: Clickbait?
Sep 13, 2024 – 35:20
Chris Deering, former President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.
Sep 10, 2024 – 1:14:25
Eliot Higgins, founder of Bellingcat.
Sep 3, 2024 – 1:12:41
Bonus: Game Club vs. The Messenger
Aug 29, 2024 – 34:44
Maddy Thorson, game-maker (Towerfall, Celeste).
Aug 27, 2024 – 1:08:51
Holly Gramazio, curator, novelist (The Husbands).
Aug 20, 2024 – 1:18:30
Listener Console Special #1
Aug 15, 2024 – 21:32
Luke Muscat, gamemaker (Fruit Ninja, Jetpack Joyride).
Aug 13, 2024 – 1:20:44
Tribute Episode: Brett Jones, artist (Goldeneye 007, Perfect Dark, Guardians of the Galaxy).
Aug 6, 2024 – 33:53
Steve Meretszky, author of interactive fiction (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy; A Mind Forever Voyaging).
Jul 30, 2024 – 1:18:00
Rhianna Pratchett, writer for games (Heavenly Sword, Mirror's Edge, Tomb Raider).
Jul 23, 2024 – 1:18:25
Richard Sparks, librettist, writer (L.A. Opera, Not the Nine O'Clock News).
Jul 16, 2024 – 1:11:55
Kelsey Beachum, narrative designer (Outer Wilds).
Jul 9, 2024 – 1:21:37
Mike Drucker, comedy writer, the Tonight Show.
Jul 1, 2024 – 1:13:48

Recent Reviews

GrandPunkRailroad

One of the best Interviewers ever

Super considerate to guests, great questions. And love the format! It’s on my perfect podsole. Squawkbox777. Great show. Cheers.
matty trim

Next level

Uses the framework of talking about video games to skillfully interview a range of interesting characters. Even if you don’t care about games at all worth a listen for the insight into the creative process and life stories of some talented people, with some genuinely moving moments. The host also has a very kind and pleasant voice.
jacksack49

Fantastic

Really great interviews and perfect for listening to in the morning as I walk my dog
TDaswick

The best interview pod, period!

I’m a casual gamer at best, but I love interview podcasts and this is my favorite. Simon is a wonderful interviewer and always pulls unique insights and anecdotes from his guests. I love the deep dives into design and creativity, too. Thanks, Simon, for bringing a highlight to my week!
Teachertime Head

Pleasant and insightful

These discussions are are interesting whether the guest has made games or simply plays them. Thanks for giving them a platform to share their personal stories and favorite games.
Steven Montani, JD

Inspiring.

Thanks, Simon.
Akashingo

A Favorite

Great concept, interesting guests, thoughtful questions. This is a winner.
hamburger7

One of my favorite podcasts

Thanks Simon!
Bellinater

Loved the Veronica Roth episode!

The podcast is great and I’ve been listening since like number five. I wanted to chime in now because the recent episode was a joy. Veronica has a great sense of humor (and a comforting Midwest accent), and Simon, I always think you do an amazing job getting people to tell their stories through the games they love. Fantastic interview!
JG092014

Favorite video game podcast

I have loved video games since 1990 and have been listening to gaming podcasts since their inception. This is my favorite. Thank you for the great work Simon.
pikamookie

Thoughtful and entertaining

Great podcast! Always thoughtful and entertaining.
CyberneticGorilla

Amazing Format

I love the format of asking people about their favorite games and actually learning about their lives as well. Interesting and unique, I highly recommend it!
TomRrrrrrrrrrr

Great Interviews With Gaming/Etc People

Absolutely one of my new favorite podcasts, I was looking for something exactly like this and it’s extremely well done. Great job!
T.Sandwich

Awesome podcast!

Such a great podcast! I love hearing people talk about their favorite games, super enjoyable
ScribdSucks

Fun, interesting and engaging

This is a very well done podcast on video games, but it goes beyond that and the interviews are very interesting. The host asks great questions that lead to a concise biography of the guest and their history with games but other parts of their life as well. Highly recommended.
Moby323

Interesting, fun, and thoughtful conversations about video games

I think the world is finally coming around to the fact that video games are as serious of an art form as our species has ever produced, and the fact that video games can make a profound impact on our lives. Or, more specifically, HAVE BEEN making a profound impact on our lives for decades, even if we were not fully cognizant of it. It’s just great to listen to intelligent and witty adults have thoughtful but fun conversations about the best games of all time, the lovely memories associated with those games, and the lasting impact they have had on their lives.
sadjeans

A more refined video game podcast

Thoughtful conversations with a diverse, mature roster of guests.
arkhamyogurt

A lovely, human show

The guests are lovely, interesting people, but what I appreciate the most about this show is Simon’s interview style. He’s generous and kind, and asks great, well-informed questions. The format and premise of the show are brilliant, too. It’s about games, but it’s really about people—their thoughts, feelings and desires, and their relationships to games and others.
red.so.deep

Brilliant, Utterly Engrossing

I downloaded this on a whim to hear the Phil Fish interview. Before I knew it, I was listening to Ashly Burch and Henk Rogers describe their perfect gaming console's games. This host is a fantastic interviewer and asks really insightful questions. Designing an interview around what is essentially a top five games list is so original and opens up the conversation so well. Keep it up. This is one of the great ones.
Sweetstanza

A lovely podcast

Definitely a delight to listen to. No knowledge of video games required.
Mushroomboy1022

Wonderful idea!

This is a fun spin on the usual “Discuss game developers story” format. Love the insight it offers! A new favorite!
FunkyWombat2

Good author, looking forward to the podcast!

Based on the first episode, really looking forward to this podcast! And by sheer serendipity, I had just finished and enjoyed Mr. Parkin’s book “A Game of Birds and Wolves,” when The Besties recommended this.
Ryan________

instant new fav

here on the behest of Chris Plante of The Besties. love the format, the thoughtful questions, and the snippets of video game music. looking forward to more!