(y'all about to read my dissertation of LegitHyperbole's question.)
In mathematics, there's a concept known as totally ordered sets and partially ordered sets. The former refers to a collection of objects in which any two objects may be "ordered" under a given relationship: As an example, the real numbers can be ordered in the natural way of "1 < 2" (i.e., 1 is less than 2).. The latter refers to a collection of objects in which there exist two objects which cannot be properly ordered: As an example, the complex numbers cannot be ordered under the relation "a < b" as defined on the real numbers in my previous example (e.g., "1+i < 1" makes no sense, nor does "1 < 1+i". Hence, "1+i" and "1" lack ordering under this relation).
That being said, to apply to concept of partially ordered sets (shorthand: posets) to real-life, it seems reasonable to come Mario Galaxy 1 to Mario Galaxy 2, though it's unreasonable to be comparing Kirby Star Allies to Baldur's Gate 3. Similarly, it seems reasonable to compare gaming in 2022 with gaming in 2023, though it's unreasonable/very difficult to sufficiently be able to define a relation which allows one to compare gaming in 2003 to 2024 in a sufficient manner.
So, to asnwer the question: Do I believe that now is the best time to be a gamer? In some ways, yes. Being a Nintendo fan, this couldn't be more true!: The NSW is still riding its wave of monumental success, NSW2 couldn't been more exciting, the catalogue of games never lets down, etc. However, in other ways, no: How many fresh, new *single-player* IP have emerged since the year 2018? Not a lot. Game development is longer than ever before, with P5 -> P6 taking near a decade, MK8 -> MK10 taking over a decade, GTAV -> GTAVI taking 12 years, SMOdyssey -> SM(?) taking eight years, etc.
This is why I take the approach of not comparing each individual period in gaming, but rather appreciating each period for what it was. :)
