I'm not as much of a stickler for sound in games as some.  I recognize the importance of sound in setting the atmosphere, but I just don't have the ear to get too involved in game audio.  I've even been known to mute a game and listen to something else while trying to level up, or beat a certain challenge, or whatever.

I will say, though, that there are some bits of video game audio that have forged such deep associations for me that they instantly evoke a certain reaction.  For instance, the synthasized wave of Konami's 16-bit logo screen seems to instantly trigger my adrenaline gland.  When you fire up Super Castlevania IV or Contra: Alien Wars, you know you're in for an awesome ride, and repetition has caused me to have a Pavlovian reaction to that sound.

The click of a microswitch joystick for me is like putting on a sweatshirt straight out of the dryer: pure happiness.  Honestly, if you ever need to occupy me for a while, give me an SNK stick, and I'll just move it in circles, listening to the clicks and giggling like a happy infant.

The sounds of a well-fought battle in Samurai Shodown II are a beautiful thing to hear.  With the clock off and two skilled players, matches go on for minutes, lunge ringing off block, riposte off parry.  The staccatto beat of sword on sword, shifting, irregular, until the wet, lurid sound of one attack getting through the guard, scoring against flesh, leaving you just a heartbeat to press your advantage.

There are, of course, unhappy sounds, as well.  The impotent click of an empty pistol in Halo 2 is just about the most unhappy sound in the world.  Nothing's worse than sighting an opponent, stripping his shields while you ignore the hot lead and energy ripping into you, lining up the headshot, and hearing that empty clicking sound from your finisher. 

Then there's the siren in Silent Hill.  It's thrilling, because you know all hell is about to break loose, but while you know you should be excited about an action-packed part of the game, you can't help feeling, in some quiet corner of your mind, that you might be happier if you don't find out what's coming...

Anybody else out there have instant reactions to game sounds?