"I can't listen to this. It's Video Game music and needs to be in a game"

Listening to video game music - as well as film and television scores - before actually playing the game does have an effect, for me. As a warning, try to only listen to a musical soundtrack (Disney, broadway, etc.) by itself if you will definitely never view the play or film. Rather, don't listen to the soundtrack repeatedly, or enough times for the music to lose its effect.

Hearing excellent music frequently convinces me to want to play the game from which it originates, but in the case of Final Fantasy VII, I was severely disappointed. The music still shone, but the gameplay didn't. I don't know if it's because I'm not as avid a gamer as I thought, because I had listened to the soudntrack so much, because it was over-hyped, or because the technology wasn't as great. However, perhaps it would have been a better experience both ways if I had first seen and heard the audio and visuals together. Instead of dividing a film into sound and shiny pictures, isn't it better to experience it all together?

However, I think that listening to a soundtrack by itself once or twice and feeling inspired can be a great feeling. I lack the self-control to resist over-playing great songs, but if I didn't, I'm sure that these adverse effects would not have occurred.

There's something just not quite right when you're playing a game and know exactly what comes next in the music. It also causes you to concentrate more on the music, and may reduce the effect of the atmosphere.

I would never shun music simply because it's from a film or video game, but if it was from a hip-hop or rap game, then perhaps yes. However, most people will either go, "Err...right...VGM..." or "hahahah, mario musix!!!!11"

It's rare for me to dislike music on its own but like it when it's used in context. That is, if I dislike the music by itself, hearing it accompanying a video won't help much; it'll only add atmosphere. Video can make music seem more emotional and enhance its effect, but it's mainly in the music, for me.

Jam it back in, in the dark.