Best Year in Gaming

1985
 * Super Mario Bros
 * Duck Hunt
 * Ghosts 'n Goblins (arcade) [1986 NES]
 * Gradius (arcade) [1986 NES]
 * Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
 * Gauntlet (arcade) [1987 NES]

1986
 * Bubble Bobble (arcade) [1988 NES]
 * Tetris (DOS/PC) [1989 NES/Game Boy]
 * Out Run (arcade)

1987
 * The Legend of Zelda
 * Metroid
 * Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!
 * Mega Man
 * Contra (arcade) [1988 NES]
 * Castlevania
 * Kid Icarus
 * R-Type (arcade)

1988
 * Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
 * Metal Gear (NES)
 * Super Mario Bros. 2
 * Ninja Gaiden
 * Castlevania II: Simon's Quest
 * Super Contra (arcade) [1990 NES]
 * Phantasy Star

1989
 * Mega Man 2
 * Super Mario Land
 * DuckTales
 * Dragon Warrior
 * Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES)
 * Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (arcade) [1990 NES]
 * SimCity
 * Prince of Persia
 * Final Fight (arcade) [1991 SNES]
 * Golden Axe

1990
 * Final Fantasy
 * Super Mario Bros. 3
 * Mega Man 3
 * Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
 * Dr. Mario
 * Dragon Warrior II
 * Phantasy Star II
 * The Secret of Monkey Island (16-color/256-color) [1992 CDROM]
 * Crystalis
 * River City Ransom

1991
 * Final Fantasy II (aka FF4)
 * Super Mario World
 * Sonic the Hedgehog (Genesis)
 * Street Fighter II (Arcade) [1992 SNES]
 * F-Zero
 * Super Castlevania IV
 * Sid Meier's Civilization
 * Lemmings
 * The Simpsons (Arcade)
 * Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project
 * Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time (arcade) [1992 SNES]
 * Tecmo Super Bowl (NES)
 * Battletoads (NES)
 * Streets of Rage
 * Phantasy Star III
 * Metroid II: Return of Samus

1992
 * The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
 * Sonic the Hedgehog 2
 * Super Mario Kart
 * Contra III: The Alien Wars
 * Wolfenstein 3D
 * Mortal Kombat (Arcade) [1993 SNES/Genesis]
 * Kirby's Dream Land
 * Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins
 * Dragon Warrior III
 * Dragon Warrior IV
 * Mega Man 4
 * Mega Man 5
 * Streets of Rage II

1993
 * The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
 * Doom
 * Mortal Kombat II (Arcade) [1994 SNES/Genesis]
 * Sonic the Hedgehog CD
 * Gunstar Heroes
 * Star Fox
 * Shining Force
 * Secret of Mana
 * Kirby's Adventure
 * NBA Jam (arcade) [1994 SNES/Genesis]
 * Myst
 * Daytona USA
 * The 7th Guest

1994
 * Final Fantasy III (aka FF6)
 * Super Metroid
 * Donkey Kong Country
 * Sonic the Hedgehog 3 + Sonic & Knuckles
 * Mega Man X
 * Super Punch-Out!!
 * Mega Man 6
 * Shining Force II
 * Doom II: Hell on Earth
 * Marathon
 * WarCraft
 * X-Com: UFO Defense
 * Virtua Cop (arcade) [1995 Saturn]
 * Descent
 * Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3
 * Donkey Kong (Game Boy)
 * Killer Instinct (arcade) [1995 SNES]
 * NBA Jam Tournament Edition (arcade) [1995 SNES/Genesis]

1995
 * Chrono Trigger
 * Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
 * Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
 * Phantasy Star IV (Note: GameFAQs currently lists its NA release inaccurately as 1994)
 * EarthBound
 * Mega Man 7
 * Mega Man X2
 * Command & Conquer
 * Twisted Metal
 * Marathon 2
 * WarCraft 2
 * MechWarrior 2

1996
 * Super Mario 64
 * Super Mario RPG
 * Resident Evil
 * Tomb Raider
 * Quake
 * Diablo
 * Kirby Super Star
 * Mega Man X3
 * Metal Slug (1997 PS1)
 * Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!
 * Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
 * Suikoden
 * Duke Nukem 3D
 * Commander & Conquer: Red Alert
 * Nights into Dreams
 * Tetris Attack
 * Crash Bandicoot
 * Descent II
 * Time Crisis (arcade) [1997 PS1]

1997
 * Final Fantasy VII
 * Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
 * GoldenEye 007
 * Mario Kart 64
 * Star Fox 64
 * Diddy Kong Racing
 * Grand Theft Auto
 * Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
 * Tekken 3 (arcade) [1998 PS1]
 * Mega Man 8
 * Mega Man X4
 * Fallout
 * Quake 2
 * Turok: Dinosaur Hunter
 * Blast Corps

1998
 * The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
 * StarCraft
 * Pokémon Red and Blue
 * Metal Gear Solid
 * Final Fantasy Tactics
 * Half-Life
 * Spyro the Dragon
 * Dance Dance Revolution
 * Resident Evil 2
 * Crash Bandicoot: Warped
 * Panzer Dragoon Saga
 * Unreal
 * Xenogears
 * Parasite Eve
 * Metal Slug 2
 * Banjo-Kazooie
 * Gran Turismo
 * F-Zero X
 * Mega Man Legends
 * Yoshi's Story
 * Soulcalibur (arcade) [1999 Dreamcast]
 * Mission: Impossible
 * Baldur's Gate
 * Fallout 2
 * Wario Land II
 * Time Crisis II (arcade) [2001 PS2]
 * Gauntlet Legends (arcade) [1999 N64]

1999
 * Super Smash Bros.
 * Final Fantasy VIII
 * Counter-Strike
 * RollerCoaster Tycoon
 * Everquest
 * Silent Hill
 * Mario Party
 * Sonic Adventure
 * Tony Hawk's Pro Skater
 * Donkey Kong 64
 * Resident Evil 3
 * Crash Team Racing
 * Grand Theft Auto II
 * Grim Fandango
 * Mario Golf (64)
 * Star Ocean: The Second Story
 * Suikoden II
 * Quake 3
 * Age of Empires II
 * Unreal Tournament
 * Planescape: Torment
 * Crazy Taxi (arcade) [2000 Dreamcast]
 * Gran Turismo 2
 * Pokémon Snap

2000
 * The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
 * Pokémon Gold and Silver
 * Final Fantasy IX
 * Perfect Dark
 * Diablo 2
 * Chrono Cross
 * Vagrant Story
 * Deus Ex
 * The Legend of Dragoon
 * Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
 * Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
 * Pokémon Stadium
 * Shenmue
 * Jet Grind Radio
 * Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber
 * Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes
 * Vagrant Story
 * Skies of Arcadia
 * Banjo-Tooie
 * WWF No Mercy
 * Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
 * Digimon World
 * Mario Party 2
 * Wario Land 3
 * Mario Tennis (64)
 * Gauntlet Dark Legacy (arcade) [2001 PS2]

2001
 * Final Fantasy X
 * Super Smash Bros. Melee
 * Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
 * Halo: Combat Evolved
 * Grand Theft Auto III
 * Silent Hill 2
 * Paper Mario (64)
 * Devil May Cry
 * Sonic Adventure 2
 * Ico
 * Conker's Bad Fur Day
 * Mega Man X5
 * Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
 * Golden Sun
 * Luigi's Mansion
 * Dragon Warrior VII
 * Pikmin
 * Mario Kart: Super Circuit
 * Mario Party 3
 * The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
 * The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
 * Pokémon Stadium 2
 * RuneScape
 * Shadow Hearts
 * Digimon World 2
 * Advance Wars
 * Wario Land 4

2002
 * Kingdom Hearts
 * Metroid Prime
 * Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
 * Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
 * Super Mario Sunshine
 * Animal Crossing
 * Metroid Fusion
 * Sonic Advance
 * Suikoden III
 * Timesplitters 2
 * Fatal Frame
 * Digimon World 3
 * Dragon Ball Z: Budokai
 * Ratchet & Clank
 * Soulcalibur II [arcade] (console = 2003)
 * The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
 * Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
 * Eternal Darkness
 * Battlefield 1942

2003
 * The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
 * Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
 * Defense of the Ancients/DOTA
 * Fire Emblem [GBA]
 * Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
 * Mario Kart: Double Dash
 * Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando
 * Beyond Good & Evil
 * Call of Duty
 * F-Zero GX
 * Kirby Air Ride
 * Viewtiful Joe
 * Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
 * WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames!
 * Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
 * Sonic Advance 2
 * Golden Sun: The Lost Age
 * Xenosaga Episode I
 * Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
 * Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

2004
 * Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
 * Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
 * Half-Life 2
 * Halo 2
 * Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
 * Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
 * Pikmin 2
 * Metroid: Zero Mission
 * Shadow Hearts: Covenant
 * Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3
 * Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal
 * Tales of Symphonia
 * Katamari Damacy
 * Ninja Gaiden
 * Unreal Tournament 2004
 * Burnout 3: Takedown
 * Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
 * Fable
 * Star Wars: Battlefront
 * Mario Power Tennis
 * Sonic Advance 3
 * Sonic Battle

2005
 * Resident Evil 4
 * World of Warcraft
 * God of War
 * Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening
 * Shadow of the Colossus
 * Dragon Quest VIII
 * Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
 * Psychonauts
 * Guitar Hero
 * Star Wars: Battlefront II
 * Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
 * Animal Crossing: Wild World
 * Mario Kart DS
 * Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
 * Civilization IV
 * Sonic Rush
 * Fire Emblem: Sacred Stones
 * Star Fox: Assault
 * Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
 * Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
 * Xenosaga Episode II

2006
 * The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
 * Kingdom Hearts II
 * The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
 * Final Fantasy XII
 * New Super Mario Bros.
 * Suikoden V
 * Xenosaga Episode III
 * Tales of the Abyss
 * Wii Sports
 * Guitar Hero II
 * Gears of War
 * Okami

2007
 * Super Mario Galaxy
 * Portal
 * BioShock
 * Halo 3
 * Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
 * Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
 * Assassin's Creed
 * Mass Effect
 * Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3
 * God of War II
 * Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
 * Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
 * Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
 * Phoenix Wright: Ace AttorneyJustice for All
 * Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations
 * Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3
 * Rock Band
 * Team Fortress 2
 * Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn

2008
 * Super Smash Bros. Brawl
 * Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
 * Fallout 3
 * Grand Theft Auto IV
 * Mario Kart Wii
 * Dead Space
 * Tales of Vesperia
 * LittleBigPlanet
 * Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4
 * Left 4 Dead
 * Gears of War 2
 * Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney
 * Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
 * Mega Man 9
 * The World Ends with You
 * Valkyria Chronicles
 * No More Heroes
 * Rock Band 2
 * Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts

2009
 * Assassin's Creed II
 * Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
 * Batman: Arkham Asylum
 * Dragon Age: Origins
 * Resident Evil 5
 * Demon's Souls
 * Borderlands
 * Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
 * Left 4 Dead 2
 * Punch-Out!! (Wii)
 * League of Legends
 * Dissidia Final Fantasy
 * Plants vs. Zombies
 * Angry Birds
 * New Super Mario Bros. Wii
 * Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
 * Street Fighter IV

2010
 * Mass Effect 2
 * Super Mario Galaxy 2
 * Fallout New Vegas
 * Civilization V
 * Nier
 * Red Dead Redemption
 * Halo: Reach
 * God of War III
 * Final Fantasy XIII
 * Sonic Colors
 * Donkey Kong Country Returns
 * Mega Man 10
 * Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
 * Heavy Rain
 * Bayonetta
 * Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors

2011
 * The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
 * The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
 * Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
 * Batman: Arkham City
 * Portal 2
 * Dark Souls
 * Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy
 * Super Mario 3D Land
 * Mario Kart 7
 * Sonic Generations
 * Pokémon Black and White
 * Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds
 * Deus Ex: Human Revolution
 * Minecraft
 * Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
 * Radiant Historia
 * Rayman Origins
 * The Binding of Isaac

2012
 * Mass Effect 3
 * Borderlands 2
 * Journey
 * The Walking Dead: Telltale Series
 * Assassin's Creed III
 * Final Fantasy XIII-2
 * Spec Ops: The Line and Hotline Miami
 * Theatrhythm Final Fantasy
 * Pokémon Black 2 and White 2
 * Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
 * Xenoblade Chronicles
 * Persona 4 Arena
 * Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward

2013
 * The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
 * The Last of Us
 * BioShock Infinite
 * Fire Emblem Awakening
 * Grand Theft Auto V
 * Super Mario 3D World
 * Pokémon X and Y
 * Animal Crossing: New Leaf
 * Tales of Graces f
 * Tales of Xillia
 * Rayman Legends
 * Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney &#8722; Dual Destinies
 * Dota 2
 * Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

2014
 * Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U
 * Dark Souls II
 * Dragon Age: Inquisition
 * Bayonetta 2
 * Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII
 * Destiny
 * Mario Kart 8
 * Hearthstone
 * Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
 * Tales of Xillia 2
 * Persona 4 Arena Ultimax
 * The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
 * Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
 * Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
 * Five Nights at Freddy's
 * Game of Thrones Telltale
 * Shovel Knight

2015
 * Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
 * Fallout 4
 * The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
 * Super Mario Maker
 * Undertale
 * Bloodborne
 * Splatoon
 * Life Is Strange
 * Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
 * Final Fantasy Record Keeper
 * Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls
 * Xenoblade Chronicles X
 * Rocket League

2016
 * Final Fantasy XV
 * Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
 * Dark Souls III
 * Overwatch
 * Pokemon Go
 * Pokémon Sun and Moon
 * Fire Emblem Fates
 * Street Fighter V
 * Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney &#8722; Spirit of Justice
 * Zero Time Dilemma
 * Super Mario Run