Isn't this just compiling the results of several threads. Ah well, I'm game.

80s: Legend of Zelda - The only decade in which Legend of Zelda actually deserves its status as a top contender for GOTD or even GOTY. Partly because it actually is kne of the best Zelda games, partly because the competition in tue 80s just isn't as stiff.

90s: FF7 - The best game for the best gaming decade. There's a reason the remake is so anticipated and also a reason it has almost no hope of living up to the original. Don't mess with near perfection. This is almost unfair because at least 3-4 of my top 5 games are from this decade, while Legend of Zelda probably wouldn't even male my top 20.

00s - Persona 4 - I go back and forth between this and Persona 3 (as well as considering FFX and Sukoden 5). However, the gameplay improvements over P3 make this one the victor for me.

10s - Persona 5 - This one is an easier choice for me than P4 as there are no other games of the decade that come close. While P4 has to contend with another Persona as well as strong showing from FF (X, not the others) and Suikoden (3 and 5), the closest runner up for me here is Horizon Zero Dawn, which is a great game, but not a substantial challenge to P5.