My favorite was 1997, I only owned a PS1 at the time, and here’s some really good games that was released that year:

• Gran Turismo
• Final Fantasy 7
• Castlevania Symphony of the Night
• Crash Bandicoot 2
• Final Fantasy Tactics
• Parappa the Rapper
• Vandal Hearts
• Mega Man X4
• Breath of Fire 3
• Mega Man Legends
• MDK
• Oddworld Abe’s Oddysse
• Tomb Raider II
• Grand Theft Auto
• Klonoa
• MK Mythologies Sub Zero

Some other non PS1, but notable games that came out that year:

• Diablo
• Mario Kart 64
• Turok
• Goldeneye 007
• Star Fox 64
• Fallout
• Panzer General II
• Age of Empires
• Mortal Kombat 4

1998 was also very good

It’s harder and harder to get a year that can produce a large number of hits, especially since AAA has become so expensive and time consuming. Even great indies take longer than usual now. The explosions of hits released between late 2022 and this year, is probably caused by Covid delaying multiple projects.

With more game devs consolidation, and Embracer stumbling, I’m not too sure about the near future.