Nielsen has released their list of the most anticipated games for 2012 for all three major platforms. Though there’s nothing particularly shocking about the titles that top each of the lists, it does put into perspective what the average gamer might be looking forward to playing, and on which platforms they prefer to game on.
The clear, non-exclusive favorite is of course Assassin’s Creed 3 which, after being revealed earlier this year, skyrocketed to the top of everyone’s most anticipated list. Featuring a new protagonist, a new setting, and some new climbing mechanics Ubisoft’s annual franchise hopes to reboot itself and to bring in some new fans with this highly anticipated new title.
Topping AC3 on the 360, though, is Halo 4, 343 Industries’ first developmental effort, and a passing of the torch for Bungie’s storied franchise. Getting to reconnect with Master Chief, and the promise of a new co-op mode, all make Halo 4 yet another reason to stick with Microsoft for this Holiday season.
Other key titles to make the various lists include BioShock Infinite, Resident Evil 6, and Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, all titles we labeled as worth checking out in 2012. The real surprises on the lists come via the Wii selections, which include Battleship in the number 3 spot and the newly announced Men in Black tie-in.
Here are the full lists:
To place on Nielsen’s list a title had to rank highly in eight different metrics that included Awareness and Purchase Interest, which were then compared against nearly every title that was to be released between now and the end of the year. Obviously EA Sports, a venerable contender, was to take some top spots, but there are still a few entries, like Prototype 2 on PS3, that are a bit surprising.
Besides featuring some “so-so” titles the Wii list also contains some games that rank significantly lower than those on the Xbox 360 or PS3. Obviously Nielsen can’t take into account what might launch with the Wii U, but these rankings show that clearly Nintendo is in need of some new product.
What do you think of Nielsen’s rankings for the most anticipated games of 2012? Anything surprise you because it did or didn’t make the list?
Source: Nielsen
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Why is Madden NFL 13 on all 3 lists? It’s the same goddamn thing every year. Madden NFL is like COD, there is very little change in its games, especially since it’s on an annual release schedule. I don’t get why it’s so anticipated if you can get almost the same exact experience by playing Madden NFL 12.
Battleship? Oh Wii players…
Lol you know your system sucks when three of your top eight most anticipated games are from movies.
And when one of them is a Lego game. lol
Where would Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 rank if it were official?
I like to think we are in a world now where people know it will be the same recycled gameplay and that it would be lower on the list.
Black ops 2 Release trailer 4.24.2012
It’s actually 4/28/2012.
I know I’m part of a minority but I can’t wait for NBA Live coming back!!!! I can’t believe it on this list though.
I am annoyed no ps3 exclusives are on the list, I think at least Sly 4 should have been on here. Although with all the awareness and other stats that game probably isn’t on everyone’s mind.
All of the big exclusives will probably be on the PS4 if it comes out in the next year or two.
whata bs list, wtf is borderlands 2, far cry 3, darksiders 2, prototype (i know this has a solid fan base), gta 5 etc ? the only big things that i see (besides the one that i own
) are mp3, ac3 and bioshock.
god i hate these stupid statistics… and rob we all know where repetitive garbage #2 would be placed, no need to anger those of us who like quality in our games
AC3, RE6 and Tomb Raider are the only games on this list I want to play.
I would get Lego Batman 2, but it’s highly doubtful I would get it on the WII.
Medal of Honor is on the PS3 list? Really? And Fable? Didn’t anyone learn from Fable 2?
What a sad world we live in where Xenoblade and The Last Story rank behind MIB and Battleship.
Personally, I have little faith in random sampling.
I would have thought Hitman: Absolution would be on here. The Last Guardian and The Last of Us must not have made the list because of unknown release dates? I know both are on my most wanted list.
Don’t like this list at all, not that it matters to me anyway but like someone above said… Why isn’t Borderlands 2 on the list, Bioshock Infinite should be moved up a few spots, smh. Top 5 for 360 (IMO) Halo 4 (I don’t like Halo but it’s big for Xbox in general, Assassin’s Creed, Bioshock Infinite, Borderlands 2 and Max Payne. Far Cry 3 follows shortly after (definitely before Fable).
Halo 4 > Everything else. Having said that, I highly doubt these charts are very accurate seeing as for PS3 players there aren’t even any exclusive games on the list, unless this is going to be a slow year for PS3 players. The only thing I feel that is accurate is Halo 4′s rank, as an Xbox player that is the one game I can’t go without this year. I think Bioshock should be higher on both PS3 and 360′s list. The sad part about all of this is that when Black Ops 2 gets announced it will more than likely take the top spots for all consoles, DON’T LET IT HAPPEN XBOX FANS, HALO 4 IS YOUR SALVATION, COD HAS NOTHING ON HALO, HAL0 4 WILL BLOW YOUR MIND!!!
Oh right, Halo 4 will be mind-blowing. Because it’s gonna be DRASTICALLY different than the others. It will UNDOUBTEDLY be a whole NEW experience. It will absolutely REVOLUTIONIZE gaming as we know it.
Hahahaha.
The game I am most excited for is far cry 3, but I am not surprised it didn’t make the list. I am however very surprised that max payne 3 is the number two for both ps3 and xbox 360
Where the hell is Borderlands 2 or Far Cry 3? Stick to TV, Nielson, because you obviously don’t know anything about the gaming world, or you only know what the hordes of children tell you.
This is my 2012 game list that I have either bought or pre-ordered. Im hoping GTA 5 and The Last of Us doesn’t come out until next year bc I have to many games this year.
Bought
SSX
ME3
Preordered
Max Payne 3
Madden 13
Borderlands 2
Far Cry 3
NBA Live 13
Assasins Creed 3
On My Radar
Ghost Recon: Future Soldier
Spec Ops: The Line
Can’t wait for BioShock: Infinite.
I will be a masterfully well-made game and possibly even better than the original.
Where the crap is The Last of Us?????
WHAT THE HELL WHERE is HITMAN ABSOLUTION ON THAT LIST?!!
How the hell did Tomb Raider make it on there? And where are The Last of Us and GTA V?
I’m hyped for the new medal of honor, the reboot wasnt great but had some solid points like stealth missions. I hope the new game will be like that wih a bettar multiplayer that focuses on team play.