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I know a lot of gamers come from various areas around the world.  From the younger crowds to the retro gamers back from the arcade days in the 7 eleven or mall arcade.  To the Vita and 3DS players to actual Tiger LCD games.  Over all these years, each of us have develop something that gives this hobby, as some might say, more meaning than what others who don’t know why we love playing.  
 
Basically, it’s the connection.  We connect to the games we play for many reasons but it’s that connection that gives us that passion and fan boy rage for some of us.  That game may have a story that reflects what’s going on in your life or something that the character development  reflects you as the player, can understand and emotionally feel for.  Good or bad, a lot of us can remember the music of a game and begin reminiscing about the times of that game or playing with a friend and laughing at something goofy the developers put into the game.  It may be a hard boss fight and hearing the music change cause you’re about to beat it after dying for the nth time.
 
Nintendo has provided many connecting moments (and Sega and Atari too).  With great games from Super Mario Bros. to Super Mario Galaxy and more, they have pave many ways for us gamers.  Running and protecting baby Mario in Yoshi’s Island has stood out as many favorites.  Super Metroid alone was a adventure that a lot gamers connect to with the exploration and level design with exceptional music and the surprising moments in the game.  The Legend of Zelda, with some ups and downs, has one of the most recognizable characters, stories, music, art, and fan boy love that you can see everywhere.  
 
Its games like these that have us talking about how it inspires us to make a costume, soundtracks, genre style games for download, food, drink names, and other media and work from the connections we make.  Okami, Ico, Halo, Portal 2, and other games with modern looks and times have made such an impact that they to our connections to games even further.  Each of these games provide the connection with their characters, action, game play, moments that has change us, and knowing that we have been on a ride we cannot wait to get back on.
 
So when you pick a game (and not trade it in), see if that game can connect to you.  Instead of a speed run or just to have something in your collection, see what that game speaks to you for you to connect to the game.  Whether its quirky, sim base, nonsensical, or even bad (staring at Friday the 13th with disgust), you might find that connection of a great game.