My Perfect Console podcast

EA is closing BioWare so I’m revisiting my conversation from last year with studio co-founder Dr Greg Zeschuk: the napkin sketch that began the studio, Baldur’s Gate and Mass Effect, why he left games, and the five games that helped shape his life, from Atari Adventure to Elden Ring. Listen here:

Welcome @darylbaxter.com, a journalist, podcaster and author who has spent years chronicling the history of video games and, in particular, one of the medium's most enduring icons: Lara Croft. Hear how he’s returning to Lara's story with a new book: bit.ly/483Vzg1

For @darylbaxter.com, author of The Making of Tomb Raider, and, The Making of Tomb Raider: 1997–2000, every version of Lara Croft must retain several qualities to stay true to the original vision. Listen to Daryl discuss the series, and his five games, out now on Patreon: bit.ly/3HPvNSM

What does it take to become the voice of a major video game's lead character? For @willvoice.it, it began with a computing degree at Imperial College and a secret application to drama school. Now, he plays Coen in The Blood of Dawnwalker. Hear his story with @SimonParkin.bsky.social bit.ly/47gazHm

For @willvoice.it, who plays Coen in the recent The Blood of Dawnwalker, actors who can make informed decisions about their performances will always present far better value for money than AI ‘voices’. Hear more in this week's episode, out now on Patreon: bit.ly/3HPvNSM

Check out this lovely My Perfect Console podcast episode with @unaminh.bsky.social, who we had the joy to work with on #saltseachronicles!

After @unaminh.bsky.social was adopted as a newborn, she grew up speaking Irish, a language that would go on to shape both her education and her career. What titles has the multimedia creator and leading figure in Irish-language gaming chosen for her perfect console? Find out now: bit.ly/4dpo2jA

A brilliant collection of games from Sensible Software, Team Ico, Rockstar North, House House, and @radiatoryang.bsky.social.

When Mark Cerny appeared on My Perfect Console, he recounted how much flak Yuji Naka took for needing more devs/time/money than other games at the time to finish Sonic, and how Sega didn't immediately prioritize a sequel until the holiday sales figures came in and shifted internal opinions...

Can a video game be an act of political protest? For more than twenty years, Paolo Pedercini and @molleindustria.org have used games to interrogate capitalism, labour, religion, technology and power. Hear Paolo discuss a career spent pushing at the political boundaries of games: bit.ly/4hs7EQp

Anna Donlon helped produce Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops II, before going on to lead VALORANT and, today, VALORANT Studios at Riot Games. So, which 5 games does someone who has spent years making world-class competitive shooters choose for herself? Find out in today's ep: bit.ly/4yPuwQU

Welcome @chriscantrill.bsky.social, a comedian, actor, writer, one half of The Delightful Sausage, and winner of the 2026 Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show. Most recently, he’s joined the writing team for SNL UK. Hear what he’s put on his perfect console: bit.ly/4rcoCXm

When choosing 5 games for his perfect console @chriscantrill.bsky.social, comedian and writer on Saturday Night Live UK, decided that honesty is the best policy. Listen to Chris as he discusses winning this year's Edinburgh comedy award, out a day early today on Patreon: bit.ly/3HPvNSM

Please submit your questions and comments for a forthcoming mailbag episode. One lucky letter-writer will receive a copy of Tune & Fairweather’s beautiful Blood Echoes, a collection of writing about FromSoftware’s Bloodborne, signed by Simon. www.patreon.com/myperfectcon...

Joining us this week is Irish writer, poet, critic, and podcaster, @griffski.bsky.social. Sarah has published a series of acclaimed novels. Alongside her fiction, she writes about games for The Guardian, and her new horror novel, Strange is the Light' is out this week. Listen now: bit.ly/4iQYAH1

Best 2D jump: Mario Best 3D jump: Mario Best first-person jump: Samus Aran in Metroid Prime (still!)

Crackdown had a fantastic feeling jump, always been one of my favourites. Nothing worse than a crap jump in a video game.

Who has the best jump in video games? For @griffski.bsky.social, poet, novelist, and author of Strange is the Light, Mae’s jump in Night in the Woods cannot be bettered. Which is your favourite? This week’s episode, out tomorrow (or today for Patreon supporters): bit.ly/3HPvNSM

I'm on My Perfect Console this week, which is an absolute thrill. One of my own favourite games podcasts. When you look at who's been on it, it makes me feel like QUITE the imposter. Obviously I chose Snatcher.

Delighted to hear Sensi finally getting chosen. A great description from Mike about what makes it so appealing.

Long ago I bought a PlayStation game I could barely understand and eventually gave up on. Twenty-odd years later, thanks to the SuperStation and some expensive cabling, I returned to Yokohama. On Racing Lagoon and why they don't make 'em like like they used to: www.patreon.com/myperfectcon...

Send in a recording of you talking about the five games you'd put on your perfect console for a chance to win a copy of Blood Echoes, Tune & Fairweather's beautiful anthology of writing about Bloodborne. More details here: www.patreon.com/myperfectcon...