For me it was 2008 was the best for this generation so far.  though this isn't across the board just the games I care about. this is according to the NA release dates obviously I don't play ever game like some of you do, so I can't say that I wouldn't have liked the games I did not play.

Keep in mind I like giving 9's for everything... bad habit I don't like giving above a 9.

For 2008

The World Ends With You    9.5 My favorite Game this Gen
Wipeout HD  9 My 4th Fav this Gen
Dead Space   9 My 5th Fav this Gen
FF7: Crisis Core 9
Persona 4: 8.5 (I'd say Persona 3: FES for which I'd give a 9 but it was a re-release) But Persona Deserves Mention
Valkyria Chronicles 8.5
Fallout 3: 8.5

From 1998 that I remember

Zelda: OoT  9.5
Starcraft:     9
Xenogears: 9
Metal Gear Solid: 9
Parasite Eve: 9

Hell I'd maybe Consider 2001 the best just because It's the only year I'd give 2 games 9.5's
FFX 10 My favorite game thus the only game I'll give a 10 too... until I have a new favorite then it won't be a 10
Metal Gear Solid 2 9.5
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec 9 (I hate racing games by the way but it was really damn good)

And this year
FFXIII 9
Mass Effect 2 9
EDIT： SHIIIIIIIIIITTT I can't believe I forgot Starcraft 2 9
Lara Croft and The Guardian of LIght 8.5
Red Dead Redemption 8.5
Heavy Rain 8.5
But it could be the best. I'm Anticipating (playing) Valkyria Chronicles II, GT5 kinda, Epic Mickey, Dragon Quest IX, Fallout: New Vegas

Though I'd say I'm anticipating next year quite a bit more than I did this year. with

Deus Ex 3: Human Revolution
Dragon Age 2
Crysis 2
Dead Space 2
The Third Birthday
FF v XIII (yes it probably won't come out.)
All games who's predecessor I'd give atleast an 8.5 too.

@OP:

No way, unless they release Duke Nukem Whenever by year's end at least on PC!   

I have to agree that 1998 was the best year, MGS and Xenogears alone > everything 2010.

no way, 2009 was big, 2010 is balanced for me, i didnt find it that big, well it all has to do with tastes, for me 2011 is the biggest year so far. im interested in so many titles, and their are sequels to my two favorite games this gen.

Its not even a competition. 98' blows it out of the water as do a lot of other years.

YEs quite possibly with GT5 and Civilizations 5, DKCR and Kirby's epic yarn set to finish it off!!! (and halo Reach for 360 people)!

Not to mention the already released FFXIII, GOW3, ME2, RDR, Heavy Rain. DQIX and so on

wow it has been amazing!!!

JUST NO MAINLINE MGS RELEASE!

I would say 2010 is likely to be the best year of this generation so far:

Super Mario Galaxy 2

Golden Sun DD

Bioshock 2

Metroid Other M

Tatsunoko vs Capcom

Monster Hunter 3

Dragon Quest IX

The 3DS' launch

Little Big Planet 2

These games alone put 2010 above 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009

MGS 5 on PSP (also called Peace Walker)!!

OT: For me it was/is the year with the best software lineup, easily.

One of the most varied years in awhile? Yes. Best? No. Best for the 2010-2019? I can't gaze that far into my crystal ball but 2011 is looking to be pretty badass to.

2007 had: Super Mario Galaxy 1, The Orange Box, Modern Warfare 1, Halo 3, Bioshock,  God of War 2,  Crysis, Uncharted 1,  Puzzle Quest,  GRAW 2, and my favorite PGR4.

2004 was damn good to: Half Life 2, GTA San Andreas, Halo 2,  Burnout 3 (and the last awesome burnout imho), Ninja Gaiden, Metroid Prime 2, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, NFL2k5 (and the last of the series, right?),  Far Cry, Pikmin 2, Rallisport Challenge 2, and the crack that is World of Warcraft.

2000 was another great one - Suikoden 2, the first NFL2k, Perfect Dark, Baldurs Gate 2, Deus Ex, Majora's Mask, Jet Grind Radio, Marvel vs Capcom 2, The Sims, Shenmue , Diablo 2, Lunar 2.

I'm not sure what year was better 2004 or 2007 in the 00's. If you go before that my pick would be 98 just based Zelda OOT and Starcraft alone along with all those megahits.

And Final Fantasy VI too !!!