The Best Beats To Game To

Sometimes, the soundtrack to a game just won’t cut it. You’re in the middle of an intense gaming session, and the weak background music isn’t enough to fuel your fire. This is the time to mute your TV and crank up the stereo; it’s what you need to get you past that last level. But what are you listening to?

Obviously, everyone has different taste in music and games, so the same music genre won’t work for every game. But here are my favorite bands (and songs) to game to.

First-Person Shooters- Hard Rock

That’s right. There’s nothing that gets me in the mood to go and kill a bunch of things like good rock. And the more gore, the harder the rock. I really recommend bands like Disturbed, Metallica, Audioslave, Dark New Day, Hurt, Theory of a Deadman, Nirvana, or Three Days Grace. These bands know how to rock and will definitely help you get through all the death and destruction.

Song recommendations- “Who’s Going Home With You Tonight?” -Trapt, “Hell Yeah” -Rev Theory, “Bad Girlfriend” -Theory of a Deadman, “I’m So Sick” -Flyleaf and “Counting Bodies Like Sheep” -A Perfect Circle

Sports Games - Rap / Hip-Hop

So you’ve got Madden 09 blown up on your big plasma TV, a couple beers in your hand and you’re listening to…rap? Actually, this really works. The music is very focused on rhythm, and it’ll help to get you pumped up and in the sports mood. I’d recommend classics like Dr. Dre, Eminem, Jay-Z, Tupac, Kanye West, 50 Cent, T-Pain, and Lil Wayne. Not only will these guys get you in the perfect mood to kick some ass on the football field (or in whatever arena you prefer), but it’ll also get you ready to party later.

Song Recommendations: “Buy U a Drink (Shawty Snappin’)” -T-Pain, “Hero” -Nas (ft. Keri Hilson), “Stronger” -Kanye West, and “Live Your Life” T.I. (ft. Rihanna).

Role-Playing Games - Punk Rock

Now, this one truly is personal preference, but I love listening to punk/indie/emo rock while playing games like Final Fantasy, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and even World of Warcraft. There is still the intense need to kill things, but it’s somewhat less than it would be in a FPS. So I would recommend bands like Something Corporate, Hawthorne Heights, Anberlin, Novice, The Starting Line, The Used and Motion City Soundtrack. For whatever reason, as I’m raiding the latest dungeon, my punk rock must be blasting in the background.

Song Recommendations: “Kill The Messenger” -Jack’s Mannequin, “A Box Full of Sharp Objects” -The Used, “Miss Murder” -AFI, “All My Best Friends Are Metal Heads” -Less Than Jake, and “Destination Anywhere” -Sugarcult.

Any Wii Games - 80s Hits

Okay, given that I typically take out my Wii and play Wii Sports or Mario Kart when I’m drinking, the Wii and 80s hits go perfectly together. There’s nothing like a stirring, drunken rendition of “Don’t Stop Believing” while attempting to keep Yoshi on the road. Band-wise, I would recommend Journey, Boston, Bon Jovi, AC/DC, Styx, Tom Petty and The Eagles. Oh, and make sure that you really turn up the volume for this.

Song Recommendations: “Free Fallin’” -Tom Petty, “The Grand Illusion” -Styx, “We Are The Champions” -Queen, “Mas Tequila” -Sammy Hagar, “Sweet Home Alabama” -Lynryd Skynyrd, and “Livin’ On A Prayer” -Bon Jovi

But whatever you prefer listening to, turn up the volume and rock out to your favorite video games. Music is the perfect way to get you motivated to beat that last boss or level. So enjoy.