Top 10 By Year

1985

Super Mario Bros. (Game of the Year).
Ghosts 'N Goblins
Commando
Space Harrier
Gauntlet
Gradius
Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar
Gun.Smoke
Hang-On
Gyromite

1986
Legend of Zelda (GOTY)
Metroid
Castlevania
Bubble Bobble
Gauntlet II
Donkey Kong
Dragon Warrior
Kid Icarus
King's Quest III
Ikari Warriors

1987
Zelda II
Contra (GOTY)
Double Dragon
Final Fantasy
Mega Man
Maniac Mansion
Mike Tyson's Punch_Out!
The Goonies II
Rygar
Metal Gear

1988
Super Mario Bros, 3 (GOTY)
Super Mario Bros. 2
Mega Man 2
Double Dragon II
Ninja Gaiden
King'a Quest IV
Dragon Warrior III
Final Fantasy II
Altered Beast
Super C

1989

TMNT ii: The Arcade Game  (GOTY)
Castlevania III
Final Fight
Ducktales
Prince of Persia
Super Mario Land
Golden Axe
Batman
SimCity
Earthbound Beginnings

1990