Like most gamers, I used to listen to music whenever I played any game. As console gaming has progressed through the years, I've played music less and less. I suppose the fact there were more CGI cut-scenes, better sounding music, and voice acting that steered me away. I was thinking the other day about how certain games of mine had certain Songs/Artists/Albums tied to them. Some of them made me laugh and some were pretty appropriate.

Final Fantasy 6

I remember this game well. I've probably put more time into this game over the years than any other. Forget the fact I played it for 60+ hours my first go through when I was 13. I've beaten this game at least 50 other times on the SNES, GBA, and using emulators on my PC. Anytime I think of being on the Veldt with Gau, The song "Let Her Cry," by Hootie and the Blowfish plays. Hey it was 1993-94 and I was 13, so give me a break, but my FF6 album is "Cracked Rear View by Hootie and the Blowfish." Of course I did listen to the music of Nobuo Uematsu.

Chrono Trigger

I never had many other games for my SNES. My family didn't have a ton of money for video games, and I only could work in the summers. One other games was "Chrono Trigger." By far one of my most favorite games of all time. This was one game I did listen to quite a bit. There were no voice overs or CGIs, but the music stood out on its own. When I did listen to music when I played this, I listened to, "Possum Kingdom by the Toadies."

Final Fantasy 7

I bought a SNES to be able to play FF6, so it was only fitting I bought a PS1 for FF7. Final Fantasy 7 was the first game I really listened to the music and the first game I had to feature CGI. Albeit its not like what we have now, but at the time it was amazing. Even though this game confused me all to hell at the time, I played it to death and my FF7 album was, "Live - Throwing Copper."

Final Fantasy 8

FF8, for some reason, got a bad rap. I have no idea why since it looked amazing, had a great story, list of characters, and great music. For some reason, however, I can't remember a single song from this game. Mainly because I played the hell out of "The Distance to Here by Live," the entire game. This Album just seemed to damn fitting for the game.

Phantasy Star 3

Breaking away from Squaresoft games for a moment and reflecting on the only Sega RPG I ever played. The storyline was simple, the characters were bland with little emotions, hell it wasn't even very fun, not to mention the music was atrocious. I'll never forget the music for as long as I live and hope that one day I do...but my PS3 albums will forever be "Nirvana's Bleach, and Mtv Unplugged."

Xenogears

About the time Xenogears came out I stopped listening to music quite as often. I guess I was better immersed into the game listening to the music. This is my #1 favorite game of all time. I'll never sell my original copies. When I did listen to music when playing this, I listened to "You Body Above Me by Black Lab." I guess its only fitting my all-time favorite game and all-time favorite album went hand in hand.

Around the time I started playing Parasite Eve, I stopped listening to music as much. I'm not sure if I didn't like the sounds bleeding together, I didn't have any good music, or what, but I'll forever be reminded of some of the best, and worst, games I've ever played when certain songs pop up on random.