Naw, I've NEVER played these games. Final Fantasy IX? No, no, don't think I've ever heard of it. Final Fantasy VII? I might recall that... someone made a movie, right? And that VIII... wasn't the gunblade from it in Parasite Eve 2 too?
/sarcasm
In all seriousness, I own a black-lable FFIX and a Greatest Hits FFVIII. I have access to FFVII, but haven't played it yet (I plan to rip the isos so I can play it on the emulator when I go back to the dorms, since it's my roommates). Despite knowing just about everything about those three games (Before my comp had to be wiped, I was in the process of translating the Ultimania guides for these three. I'm trying to find scans again), I have never actually played past disc one of FFVII myself. It's not due to laziness or not liking the game (my favorite FFs go FFIX, FFX, FFVI, FFVII, FFVIII), but I've never had the blimey thing in my possession long enough. It was always my brother or sister who had the game, and they were damn stingy in letting me play.
FFIX is, without a shadow of a doubt, my all-time favorite game EVAR. xD No game has been created that I can say I like more. That is the game I still play through at least once a year, I've done an Excalibur II run, multiple challenge runs, a Level 1 game (or as close as you can in FFIX; it's impossible to not have at least one character level), and nearly finished an Excalibur II Perfect Game (I nearly got carpal tunnel during the Hippaul's Racing circuit). I've started that challenge again, with the hope of getting extra time built up for the part I got stuck on, etc. etc.
But yeah. I've played 'em. I love 'em, but I would include FFVI in that 'Golden Age' n.n Then again, to each his own; my favorite FFs are FFIX, FFVI, and FFX
Oh, and Eve... if you or Brittany ever want help with a Steiner or Beatrix... I have some experience in armor, and would love more experience to train myself for a certain future cosplay of doom. n.n