Alexander O. Smith, translator (Vagrant Story, Phoenix Wright, Final Fantasy series).
Alexander O. Smith is a translator, writer, and creative producer whose work has brought some of Japan’s most acclaimed stories to audiences around the world. After graduating from Harvard University with a degree in classical Japanese Literature, he went on to become one of the most respected voices in literary and video game translation. He is best known for his celebrated work on Final Fantasy XII, Vagrant Story, and the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorneyseries, as well as his translations of Japanese novels and manga, including those by Miyuki Miyabe and Akira Toriyama. With a rare gift for capturing cultural nuance, he has helped define how English-speaking players and readers experience modern Japanese storytelling.Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsoleTake 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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1:33:58
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1:33:58
Charlie Rosen, bandleader, The 8-bit Big Band.
Charlie Rosen is a Grammy award-winning musician, composer, and arranger whose work sits at the intersection of jazz, pop, and video game nostalgia. As the founder and leader of The 8-bit Big Band, a 35-piece jazz-pops orchestra, he had transformed classic video game soundtracks into virtuosic symphonic showstoppers. Under his direction, the ensemble has reimagined themes from Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Sonic the Hedgehog, with flair—earning critical acclaim, viral attention, and a devoted global audience. The band’s latest album, Orchestrator Emulator, was named Jazz Album of the Week by The Sunday Times and continues my guest’s mission to build what he calls “The Great Video Game Songbook.”Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsoleTake 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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1:27:51
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1:27:51
Andy Robertson, journalist, entrepreneur (BBC, Ludocene).
Andy Robertson is a veteran journalist, editor, and entrepreneur who has spent his career exploring how video games can bring people together. After graduating from Brunel University with a degree in Computer Science, he worked as a freelance games critic for the BBC before launching Family Gamer TV, a YouTube channel designed to help parents and caregivers confidently navigate the increasingly complex world of games.An advocate of games in diverse spaces, including the TEDx and Greenbelt festivals, he’s now launched Ludocene, a site described as “Tinder for games”. This clever, card-based video game recommendation platform has been inspired by deck-builder mechanics, and is designed to surface hidden gems beyond algorithmic trends. With a career that sits at the crossroads of games, meaning, and joy—he is a champion of the idea that digital play can be nutritious, life-giving, and wildly fun. Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsoleTake 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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1:22:12
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1:22:12
Lizzie Killian, musician (Teens in Trouble).
Lizzie Killian is the lead vocalist and guitarist of Teens in Trouble, an indie rock band known for its anthemic melodies, sharp lyrics, and emotionally charged hooks. Before taking to the stage, she started her career as a writer covering games, then moved into communications, collaborating with titans of the industry such Capcom, EA, and Riot.In 2022 she released her first E.P. with her band Teens in Trouble, which included the tracks “I’m Not Worried” and “Decomposing,” both of which have been featured in Fortnite. Last year, the band released their debut full-length album ‘What’s Mine’, described by Punk News as an “effervescent, catchy… grand way to make an entrance.”Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsoleTake 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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1:21:12
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1:21:12
Jonathan Jacques-Belletête, creative director, Hell is Us.
Jonathan Jacques-Belletête is a French-Canadian creative director and artist whose work has helped shape some of the most stylish and thought-provoking contemporary video games. After graduating from Dawson College in Montreal, he worked as a commercial illustrator before joining Ubisoft as an artist on the Far Cry, Prince of Persia and Assassin’s Creed series. In 2007 he joined Eidos Montreal, where he helped reimagine the Deus Ex universe with the games Human Revolution and Mankind Divided, blending cyberpunk aesthetics with deeply human themes. Now, as creative director of Hell is Us, he’s led one of the most intriguing and mysterious projects in development—a game that promises to challenge how we think about conflict and identity. Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsoleTake 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.
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 GUARDIANTIME OUT'S 50 Best PodcastsVULTURE's Best Podcast of the Year Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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