New data from research firm Nielsen lists 2012's most anticipated games. Halo 4 headlines the list, above Call of Duty, for Xbox 360.

Nielsen organized the titles in terms of "Game Rank," with an out-of-100 percent rating. Halo 4 tops the lists with 99 percent, above Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, also with 99 percent. Halo 4 is ranked first because of a 0.25 percent lead over Treyarch's title. However, it hints at the battle between the two titles and whether Halo 4 can usurp Call of Duty's consistently strong sales this November.

Taking third place in the chart for Xbox 360 is Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed 3 with 98 percent. Notable titles further down the list for the platform include Need for Speed: Most Wanted (82 percent), Medal of Honor: Warfighter (77 percent), and Hitman: Absolution (74 percent).

Whether the Call of Duty audience will warm to Halo 4 is unknown. Developers 343 Industries is drawing similarities to the franchise, seeing some negative reactions from long-term fans. The developers admitted in a recent video-documentary it is attempting to appeal to "the core," the hardcore fans, while broadening the audience.

For PlayStation 3, Black Ops 2 tops the chart with 99 percent. In second and third place, with 98 percent, are Assassin's Creed 3 and the critically-panned Resident Evil 6, respectively. Need for Speed: Most Wanted takes 82 percent, while Medal of Honor: Warfighter sees 74 percent. Exclusive racing game LittleBigPlanet Karting took tenth place in the PlayStation 3 chart with 67 percent.

Wii U is not included in the findings, which is surprising considering the rumors of the console's strong sales; however, Wii is included. Just Dance 4 takes the top spot with 98 percent; ZUMBA Fitness Core is second, with 95 percent, and LEGO The Lord of the Rings is third with 88 percent.

Halo 4 releases Nov. 6, just a week before Black Ops 2. It is interesting that Microsoft is pitching its two biggest Xbox 360 titles against each other. With the marketing budget of Halo 4, Microsoft clearly wants its longest running franchise to sell very well.