This ended up fairly popular on a couple of other forums I visit (US-based and more console focused) so I figured I might as well post them here as well.

https://tierlists.com/create/top-games-1984
https://tierlists.com/create/top-games-1985
https://tierlists.com/create/top-games-1986
https://tierlists.com/create/top-games-1987
https://tierlists.com/create/top-games-1988
https://tierlists.com/create/top-games-1989
https://tierlists.com/create/top-games-1990
https://tierlists.com/create/top-games-1991
https://tierlists.com/create/top-games-1992
https://tierlists.com/create/top-games-1993
https://tierlists.com/create/top-games-1994
https://tierlists.com/create/top-games-1995
https://tierlists.com/create/top-games-1996
https://tierlists.com/create/top-games-1997
https://tierlists.com/create/top-games-1998
https://tierlists.com/create/top-games-1999

The selections are mainly based on the top user rated games from each year on various database sites. You can make and download a list without logging into Tierlists, then post it here via imgur or whatever. Or you can post text lists if you want.

I'm going by original release dates and mostly original versions of games unless there's a consensus about a port being better or it's significantly different like Rygar on NES for example - if not you can see the original version as a catch-all for other versions.

If a game you'd like to see in a template's selection is missing, you can mention it here (use bold text) and it'll count as a vote. 5+ votes means I'll add it to the template and you can vote until the next year. Current votes for such games are below and you can find more notable games to vote for in the GameFAQs threads (https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/204-classic-gaming/78292482).

4 votes:
Axelay
Mega Man 6
Batman Returns (SNES)

3 votes:
Kabuki Quantum Fighter
Mega Man 5
Mega Man: Wily Wars
Mega Man 7
Star Wars: Dark Forces including discord votes

2 votes:
Project: Firestart (C64)
Kid Dracula
Alien Storm
Pilotwings
X-Wing
Blake Stone
Goof Troop
Wing Commander: Privateer
Mega Man IV (GB)
Theme Park
Hagane
Mickey Mania
Vectorman
The Dig
VB Wario Land
Rise of the Triad
Jumping Flash! 2
Final Doom
Bomberman 64
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
Donkey Kong 64
Dino Crisis

1 vote:
Planet's Edge PC
Dungeon Master: Chaos Strikes Back expansion PC
Wizardry VI: Bane of the Cosmic Forge PC
Jade Cocoon
MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries
Alphaman
Ys IV (SNES)
Aladdin (Capcom)
Kirby's Dream Land (GB)
The Last Ninja c64

1992...Planet's Edge...Couldn't find it, listed and one of the best games that year.

Alright, noted. Looks like there are 3 conflicting release dates logged for it though.

1984: Lords of Midnight

1989: Chaos Strikes Back

1990: Wizardry 6: Bane of the Cosmic Forge

1995: Jagged Alliance

JA1 is in the 1994 template, just fyi. Added your 1989-1990 picks to the votes list.

1987: The Last Ninja

I've since covered MD/GEN exclusively.
https://tierlists.com/create/top-mega-drivegenesis-games-1988-1989

Let me know if there's any other system you'd like to see covered in the same way:
https://linkto.run/p/Q1HMFI56

Doing PC DOS as per request, the '80s have been covered.

https://tierlists.com/create/top-pc-dos-games-1981-1984

PC DOS '90s templates:
https://tierlists.com/search?q=pc+dos

PC WIN '90s templates:
https://tierlists.com/search?q=pc+windows