Nielsen Most Anticipated 2012 Wii

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