First-party to third-party, here are the titles that I'm excited to see hit Nintendo platforms in 2012.

I know it may be a bit late for this, but since we are seeing the release of several new games on both Nintendo's Wii and 3DS platforms in the coming weeks, perhaps now is the best time to do this. That's right, it's time for my most anticipated titles for 2012 on Nintendo platforms. Here's how it works: listed here are two different categories, each of which correspond to one of Nintendo's current platforms (that is, the Wii and the 3DS). Each category will include two games: my most anticipated game for that particular platform, and my second-most anticipated game (the runner-up). Let's get to it, shall we?

Nintendo Wii

With a dying platform just waiting to spew out just a few more title in its life, it's easy to pick out the two most appealing titles in the Wii's future library of, what, six games? (Har, har, har...) okay... sorry. *Ahem* Battlestriker123's most anticipated Wii game of 2012 goes to...

WINNER: XENOBLADE CHRONICLES

Honestly, I wouldn't have known that this game existed if the extensive Operation Rainfall coverage wasn't existent. But hey, it's better late then never, right? Xenoblade is finally coming over to North American on April 4th, a mere week before my birthday! Yup, I'm planning on getting this universally acclaimed JRPG title shortly after launch, and hopefully I can indulge in it's beauty for hours on end. Though excited, I'm a bit worried; it's been ages since I last played a JRPG, but considering that this is an action-JRPG, perhaps it won't be that hard to get into. It's just a few months away now!

It looks... gorgeous!

Runner-Up: Rhythm Heaven Fever

They say that your best buys are always at Fry's. In this case, your best buy is at... Best Buy. Back in October when Best Buy listed Rhythm Heaven Fever for only $5 (probably an inventory mistake, but whatever), I couldn't help but pre-order it. And so far, they've said nothing about my order, so I'm assuming that it'll come within the next few weeks (hopefully)! Honestly, I can't wait for this game to come out, and even if I don't get it for $5, I won't mind going out and buying it for $30. It's Rhythm Heaven. I loved the DS game, so why won't I love this one?

No HUD = WTF IS GOING ON?!?!

Nintendo 3DS

Contrary to how the Wii is doing, the 3DS is looking to be on the way to its best year yet! Though considering what happened last year, that's not really all that hard to achieve (oh my I am so funny). Anyways, let's get to it, shall we? With the plethora of different titles coming out for 3DS this year, Battlestriker123's most anticipated 3DS game of 2012 goes to...

WINNER: PAPER MARIO

Okay, we don't have a solid release date on this game just yet (hell, it might even come out in 2013), but that doesn't keep me from getting excited for it. Just last year, I managed to borrow a copy of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door from my cousin, and oh my golly is this game fun. It's not just another RPG with Mario slapped all over it (in a way, the N64 original was like that), but a wholly unique experience that no other RPG offers. Paper Mario 3DS looks to hold up to that name. I mean, seriously. What are giant fans and in-the-closet Toads doing in the trailer? Sounds like some wacky fun, if you ask me.

Paper + 3D... definitely meant to be.

Runner-Up: RollerCoaster Tycoon 3D

Last year, when Atari announced that they were working with developer N-Space on a brand new Roller Coaster Tycoon for the Nintendo 3DS, the internet went on fire. It's been years since Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 was released, and we haven't heard from anyone about the franchise since then. Many assumed that the franchise was dead, especially after legal problems between Atari and the franchise's founder Chris Sawyer. But all is not dead, and with N-Space working on the newest installment in the series, perhaps we will see even more peep-killing in the future, though I am a bit worried about how it will turn out? The game looks like a hybrid of RCT 2 and RCT 3, and we haven't gotten any news about the game since its announcement, so who knows what it's going to be like when it launches?

Imagine riding THAT in 3D!

Well, those are my picks for 2012. What are YOUR most anticipated Nintendo-platform titles for 2012?

Read my other blogs in my "Nintendo in 2012" series:

Looking Ahead: Nintendo in 2012

Predictions: Nintendo in 2012