My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin

Simon Parkin
  • 4.9 (69)
  • Video Games
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 1d ago

    Amelia Tait, journalist, children's author.

    Amelia Tait is a British journalist and author whose work has made her one of the sharpest observers of modern life online and off. As a freelance writer, she has built a reputation for following the strange, revealing currents of contemporary culture — writing about the internet, and remarkable people for publications including The New Yorker, The Guardian, Wired, and the New York Times. Her reporting is often drawn to the places where technology and absurdity collide, finding the human story inside subjects other people might dismiss as niche or ephemeral. Now she has turned that same wit and curiosity to fiction with her debut children’s book, Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveller, a funny, fast-moving adventure about a girl bouncing through history while trying to survive friendship drama and the general embarrassment of being thirteen. LINKS Amelia Tait – website & writing Amelia Tait – official website The Waiting Room – Amelia's Substack newsletter Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveller Lily Tripp – Waterstones (Waterstones Children's Book of the Month, June 2026) Lily Tripp – Amazon UK Amelia's Perfect Console Theme Hospital (1997) – Wikipedia The Simpsons: Road Rage (2001) – Wikipedia The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker – Wikipedia The Sims Bustin' Out (Game Boy Advance, 2003) – Wikipedia Stardew Valley – official site Stardew Valley – Steam Other games mentioned Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo The Simpsons: Hit & Run – Wikipedia Amelia's journalism – selected pieces Are Disney Adults the Happiest Debtors on Earth? – The New Yorker Amelia Tait – articles on The Guardian Next week's guest Duppy Detective Tashia – Glen Henry / Spritewrench Studios – Steam Spritewrench Studios – itch.io Support the show My Perfect Console – episode archive Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Take the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Amelia Tait, journalist, children's author.

  2. Aug 4

    James Trickey, comedian.

    James Trickey is a British comedian whose work blends sharp writing, physical comedy, and, in his new show, one of the more extraordinary Edinburgh Fringe stories in recent memory. By day he works as an accountant; by night he has been building a reputation as one of the most promising young voices on the live circuit, with appearances across the UK, a Chortle Student Comedy Award nomination, and a Best New Show nomination at the Leicester Comedy Festival. Last year, his sold-out Edinburgh debut, Don’t Count on Me, marked him out as a rising talent, earning strong reviews and an enviable word-of-mouth reputation. Since then, he has appeared on the BBC’s Funny Parts and returned to the Fringe with a new show shaped in part by the strange and unexpectedly dramatic events of last summer. LINKS: James Trickey – follow & tickets James Trickey – Instagram (@jamestrickey_) James Trickey: Split – Edinburgh Fringe 2026 tickets (Pleasance Courtyard, 9:25pm, 5–30 August) James Trickey: Split – Avalon press release James's Perfect Console The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Wikipedia The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered – Steam Halo 3 – Wikipedia Undertale – official site Undertale – Steam God of War (2018) – PlayStation God of War (2018) – Wikipedia The Last of Us Part II – PlayStation The Last of Us Part II – Wikipedia Bristol comedians to watch Abi Clarke – comedian and content creator Alex Kitson – Chortle profile Jessie Nixon – Chortle profile Ted Milligan – British Comedy Guide Pravanya Pillay – PBJ Management Also mentioned Alfie Brown – comedian Glenn Moore – at the Monkey Barrel, Edinburgh Fringe Pokémon Crystal – Wikipedia Super Mario Advance (Game Boy Advance) – Wikipedia League of Legends – official site Support the show My Perfect Console – episode archive Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Take the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    James Trickey, comedian.

  3. Jul 28

    Pierce Brown, science fiction novelist (Red Rising series).

    Pierce Brown is an American novelist whose work has made him one of the defining voices in modern science fiction. After a restless childhood that saw his family move repeatedly and left him passing through more than ten schools, he began writing in earnest just after high school. After years of rejection, he found his breakthrough with Red Rising, the first instalment in an epic saga that fused classical tragedy, Roman myth, and space opera into an international bestseller. Since then, the series has grown into a global phenomenon, winning a devoted readership for its high-stakes politics and fierce emotional intensity. Alongside his work as a novelist, he has embraced gaming culture—contributing to the Red Rising board game and speaking openly about his love of everything from StarCraft II to Mass Effect and Cyberpunk. Now, as the series is being reissued in special tenth-anniversary editions, a new generation of readers is discovering the world that made his name. LINKS Pierce Brown – website & books Pierce Brown – official website Red Rising – the complete saga Red Rising: Sons of Ares – prequel comic series Pierce Brown – Instagram (@piercebrownofficial) Red Rising board game Red Rising – Stonemaier Games (designed by Jamey Stegmaier) Pierce's Perfect Console Command & Conquer (1995) – Wikipedia Command & Conquer: Red Alert – Wikipedia Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun – Wikipedia Shogun: Total War (2000) – Wikipedia Total War series – official site Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn – Wikipedia Black & White (2001) – Wikipedia The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind – Wikipedia Books and other references mentioned Plato's Republic – Wikipedia Antigone by Sophocles – Wikipedia The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas – Wikipedia Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card – Wikipedia The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie Gattaca (1997 film) – Wikipedia Gustave Doré – illustrator, Wikipedia Support the show My Perfect Console – episode archive Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Take the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Pierce Brown, science fiction novelist (Red Rising series).

  4. Jul 21

    John Robertson, comedian, creator The Dark Room.

    John Robertson is an Australian comedian, writer, and performer who has carved out a singular space between stand-up, theatre, and video games. Beginning his career on the UK and international comedy circuit, he became known for his high-energy, unpredictable style—before creating The Dark Room, a live-action text adventure where audiences shout commands, face absurd deaths, and attempt to survive his chaotic world. The show has toured globally, sold out runs at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and grown into an online phenomenon, streamed to millions and adapted into digital formats. Alongside this, he has written and performed a wide range of solo shows and interactive work, creating a unique space where comedy, games, and audience participation collide. John Robertson – website & show John Robertson – official website The Dark Room – live show information The Dark Room – live dates and tickets The Dark Room – Edinburgh Fringe 2026 at the Gilded Balloon The Dark Room – Dark Room Deathstravaganza at Leicester Square Theatre, 22 November John Robertson – Twitch (Robbotron) John's Perfect Console Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Mega Drive, 1992) – Wikipedia Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo – Wikipedia Wii Sports Resort – Wikipedia Sid Meier's Civilization V – Wikipedia Hitman: World of Assassination – official site Hitman: World of Assassination – Steam Other games and references mentioned Caves of Qud – official site Caves of Qud – Steam PAX West – Seattle gaming convention Switch Sports – Nintendo Next week's guest Pierce Brown – official website Red Rising – Pierce Brown's debut novel Support the show My Perfect Console – episode archive Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Take the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    John Robertson, comedian, creator The Dark Room.

  5. Jul 14

    Andreas Thorstensson, former Counter-Strike champion, founder GOALS AB.

    Andreas Thorstensson is a Swedish entrepreneur, former professional gamer, and studio founder whose career has moved from the early days of esports to the challenge of rebuilding one of the world’s biggest sports genres from the ground up. Born in Stockholm, he began programming as a child and later emerged in competitive Counter-Strike under the name ‘bds’, becoming world champion in 1999 and earning a reputation as both a player, and builder of tools, platforms, and communities around the game. In 2001, he co-founded SK Gaming, helping turn esports into a more professionalised business, and later spent a decade in technology and startups. In 2021, frustrated by the state of football games, he returned to development to found GOALS AB, a Stockholm studio with an ambitious aim: to give football the video game it deserves. Its first title, GOALS, is a free-to-play, cross-platform football simulator built around a gameplay-first, fully skill-based philosophy.   Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Take the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Andreas Thorstensson, former Counter-Strike champion, founder GOALS AB.

  6. Jul 7

    Abigoliah Schamaun, comedian.

    Abigoliah Schamaun is an American comedian, writer, actor, and podcaster whose open-hearted style has made her one of the most distinctive voices on the UK stand-up circuit. After cutting her teeth in the clubs of New York, she moved to Britain and there steadily built a reputation as a charismatic performer, becoming a popular headliner on the live comedy scene. Alongside her stand-up, she has appeared on shows including Pointless Celebrities, Captive Audience, Outrageously Funny Comedy, and I Live with Models. More recently, through the podcast Neurodivergent Moments, which she co-hosts with Joe Wells, she has spoken with warmth and candour about ADHD and neurodivergence,. Now, that podcast has inspired a new book, Neurodivergent Moments: Sex, Sunscreen, Turtles and How (Not) to Pack a Suitcase, a funny, personal collection of essays out now. Abigoliah Schamaun – official site & socials abigoliah.com – official website Neurodivergent Moments – the book Neurodivergent Moments: Sex, Sunscreen, Turtles and How (Not) to Pack a Suitcase – Linktree (buy links & live events) Neurodivergent Moments – the podcast Neurodivergent Moments podcast – Acast Neurodivergent Moments – Patreon (bonus content) All British Comedy Explained – the podcast All British Comedy Explained – official site All British Comedy Explained – Apple Podcasts All British Comedy Explained – Spotify Abigoliah's Perfect Console Super Mario Land – Wikipedia Mortal Kombat (1992) – Wikipedia Beat Saber – official site Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Nintendo Other people and references mentioned Joe Wells – co-author and podcast co-host Sea of Thieves – official site Penelope Keith – Wikipedia Nerd of Mouth podcast Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Take the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Jun 30

    Luke Whittaker, gamemaker. (South of the Circle, Lumino City).

    Luke Whittaker is a British game designer and creative director. With a background in animation and games design, he co-founded the BAFTA-winning indie studio State of Play in 2008, helping establish a reputation for meticulous, hands-on craft and playful experimentation. He was the creator and lead designer of Lumino City, the puzzle adventure built entirely from hand-made paper and card models, which won a BAFTA for Artistic Achievement. Since then he has worked on a string of distinctive projects including the Apple Award-winning pinball painting game INKS and the paper-crafted puzzle games KAMI and its sequel. As writer, director, and lead artist on South of the Circle, he even travelled to Antarctica to research a deeply human Cold War love story. Now, with Spycraft, a 1960s spy adventure that blends a physical board with video game mechanics—and comeswith a physical gadget built to play it—he continues to blur the boundaries between digital play and physical craft. Relevant Links: Luke Whittaker & State of Play State of Play Games – official site State of Play – about the studio Spycraft & the Board device Spycraft – State of Play Games page Spycraft – on the Board store Board – the gaming device Spycraft runs on South of the Circle South of the Circle – State of Play Games page South of the Circle – Steam South of the Circle – Apple App Store Luke's Perfect Console North & South (1989) – Wikipedia Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure – Wikipedia Sega Rally Championship – Wikipedia ICO – Wikipedia Firewatch – official site Firewatch – Wikipedia Other games and references mentioned Lumino City – State of Play Games page Samorost – Amanita Design Machinarium – Amanita Design KAMI 2 – State of Play Games page Shadow of the Colossus – Wikipedia Oxenfree – Night School Studio RetroPie – retro gaming on Raspberry Pi The Turner Contemporary – Margate Support My Perfect Console on Patreon   Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Take the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Luke Whittaker, gamemaker. (South of the Circle, Lumino City).

  8. Jun 23

    Rob Dubbin, comedy writer, game designer (The Colbert Report, Scripto).

    Rob Dubbin is a comedy writer and game designer whose work spans late-night television, journalism, and interactive storytelling. After studying History and Literature at Harvard University, he began his career in comedy, becoming an Emmy-winning writer on The Colbert Report and later The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Away from television, his writing has appeared in publications including The New Yorker and The Verge. More recently, he has moved into game design and tools, becoming the co-creator of Scripto, a collaborative writing platform for format-driven work—from television scripts to video games—where he serves as Head of Games. His current projects include co-hosting The Secret Lives of Games podcast and he recently launched the boardgame Starfriends. Across all of his work, he has become a thoughtful advocate for clarity and economy in writing—particularly in games, where he believes every word must earn its place. SHOW LINKS: Rob Dubbin Rob Dubbin – official website Rob Dubbin – work & projects Roblemsolving – Rob's blog Rob Dubbin – itch.io Brainfruit Studio / Star Friends Brainfruit Studio shop Star Friends – official site Star Friends – Kickstarter campaign Scripto Scripto – collaborative writing software Scripto – about Scripto – eight takes on game writing The Secret Lives of Games / Eggplant Eggplant – the Secret Lives of Games podcast network Eggplant – about The Secret Lives of Games – on Apple Podcasts Rob's Perfect Console ZZT – zzt.org archive and community ZZT (1991) – Internet Archive Star Control 2: The Ur-Quan Masters – open source port Free Stars: The Ur-Quan Masters – Steam Master of Magic Classic – Steam Master of Magic Classic – GOG Slice & Dice – developer site Slice & Dice – itch.io Slice & Dice – Steam Caves of Qud – official site Caves of Qud – Steam Caves of Qud – itch.io Other games and references discussed Letterboxd – film rating and diary app Wavelength – party game Apples to Apples – official site Game Developers Conference (GDC) Harvard University The Colbert Report – Comedy Central The Late Show with Stephen Colbert – CBS Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Take the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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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.

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