It was a lot easier in them days to dish out higher scores. Reviewers are miles more critical of even the smallest things these days in my opinion. GTA3 for example. 97%? Even though it was a good game, all players at the time knew the games controls were absolutely chronic. It was never deserving of that score. Also, a skating game, 97%? Its pretty much guaranteed that will never happen again or even come close.
Basically, scores back then were higher than the norm because it was the first time 3D graphics ever really looked "good" and it wowed people more just on graphics alone. That kind of stuff doesn't wash now with reviewers or customers so it's much harder to hit the same scores.
PREDICTIONS FOR END OF 2015: (Made Jan 1st 2015)
PS4 - 34M - XB1 - 21m - WII U -12M
