Gah! This'll be tough (especially 1998), but I'll give it a go.
2010: Mass Effect 2
2009: Uncharted 2
2008: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
2007: Mass Effect
2006: The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
2005: Civilization IV
2004: Rome: Total War
2003: Prince of Persia: Sands of Time
2002: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
2001: Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
2000: Deus Ex
1999: Planescape: Torment
1998: Baldur's Gate
1997: Final Fantasy VII
1996: WipEout XL
1995: Command & Conquer
1994: X-Com: UFO Defense
1993: SimCity 2000
1992: Street Fighter II
1991: Civilization
1990: Super Mario World
1989: Xenon 2: Megablast
1988: Elite
1987: Super Mario Bros.
1986: The Price of Magik
1985: Star Raiders II
1984: Bruce Lee
1983: Tutankham
1982: Centipede
1981: Yar's Revenge
Much of that would probably be proved to be nonsense if I did a bit of research (as many of the older games I used to love have slipped my mind), but it'll do.
