What are the games that had music that was cool enough to make you notice it?
For me Oni comes to mind. Giants too had nice music I think...

- Screamer 2 (PC) *****
- Contra, the Hard Corps (aka Probotector) (Genesis) ****
- Secret Of Evermore (SNes) ***
- Zelda, Ocarina Of Time (N64) ****
- Sonic 1, 2, 3, &K, CD (Genesis) ****
- Starfox (N64) **
- Ecco 2 (Genesis) ***

I like oldschool games...

WCW Thunder

I actively listen to the following soundtracks, and even have some on my Ipod
Castlevania 3 and 4
Zelda 3
Sacrifice
Alice
Starcraft
Warcraft 2 and 3
and even though I have yet to play it, the soundtrack to Splinter Cell - Chaos Theory is great. One of my favorite albums in 2005, actually.

Isn't that the one that has Amon Tobin on it??

yes the chaos theory 'soundtrack' is amon tobin. there are a few other tracks in the game by some generic sounding punk band i can't remember right now but their stuff is mainly used to add atmosphere in certain areas (guards listening to the radio etc.) the game is also one of the best games i've ever played and dirt cheap in stores now, especially since the new installment has been announced (double agent).

i'd also have to 2nd the mention starcraft and add the mechwarrior series as well as the command and conquer series.

i'm generally peeved with games resorting to 'soundtracks' that are little more than compilations of the harder edge of mtv's spectrum. i don't have any issue with musicians creating soundtracks for games (like amon tobin for the last splinter cell installment or david bowie for omikron) but just dumping a bunch of tunes together seems like a cop out. the only game i can think of that used the compilation style properly would be 'grand theft auto' and the radio stations still got old and repetitive after a while.

oh yeah. the water level theme for the original donkey kong country rocks. hehehehe

oh yeah... the gta radio stations were pretty cool...

I love driving around on the GTA games jammin' to the radio. But San Andreas easily has the best stations.

Yeah I really do like the SA stations...although I end up playing my own music most of the time or just turning the music off.

Still, there is something about grabbing 3 GSF homies, jacking a 4-door, and doing drive-bys to "Today Was A Good Day" and "Aint Nothing But G Thang." I remember the first time I did that, mowin' down some Ballas and a few bystanders, pumpin' that early 90's rap, and thinking "okay, I get it now..."

Diffidently Zelda and Diablo. . .

Star Craft, just because it's Star Craft.

Gyruss, Toccata and Fugue in D minor.

Grand Theft can always be counted on.