Excitement is building for the upcoming Nintendo Direct scheduled for Friday morning. However, it might be wise to temper your expectations slightly. While the Direct promises to be an engaging video game announcement livestream, the realities of game development mean that not every anticipated title may be ready for a reveal. As we step into the era of the Switch 2, and given that Nintendo has recently launched new titles in several major franchises, let’s discuss the games that are likely absent from this presentation.
Before diving into specific titles, it’s important to acknowledge that I would be thrilled to be proven wrong about the following predictions. As a devoted fan of these franchises, I, like many others, am eager for updates. However, in the gaming industry, patience is crucial.
First on the list is the highly anticipated next installment in the Legend of Zelda series. As a passionate Zelda enthusiast, it pains me to say this, but it’s likely too soon for any news. The remarkable titles Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild were released within 18 months of each other, and the latter was only launched a little over two years ago. Historically, there was a six-year gap between these two major releases, so a new game announcement feels premature.
That said, it’s worth noting that Nintendo did tease Tears of the Kingdom just a couple of years after the release of Breath of the Wild. A surprise reveal of a big Switch 2-exclusive Zelda teaser at the end of this Direct would certainly be a thrilling finale.
Another major franchise that fans are keen to hear about is Super Mario. It’s somewhat unusual for a new Nintendo console to launch without any official word on the next mainline Mario platformer. Historically, most Nintendo home consoles have seen a significant Mario title announced within a year of their launch. Unfortunately, this does not appear to be the case with the Switch 2.
While Donkey Kong Bananza was developed by the same team that created Super Mario Odyssey, which successfully filled the 3D Mario gap, it isn’t a traditional Mario game. Although I am confident that a big 3D Mario adventure is on the horizon for the Switch 2, if the Bananza team is working on it, we may have to wait longer than expected for a reveal. That said, there’s always a chance that another team has been developing Mario’s next adventure in secret.
Lastly, let’s discuss the rumored Final Fantasy IX remake. This beloved RPG celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, which led to credible reports suggesting that a remake is in the works. Many anticipated its announcement during the previous Nintendo Direct in April, but it did not materialize. Recent leaks have even hinted that the project may be facing difficulties.
As someone who has not yet experienced Final Fantasy IX, I would be eager to see this remake come to fruition. However, I have a sinking feeling that we won’t be seeing it during this week’s Direct, and it may remain in limbo indefinitely. That said, I’ve been wrong before, and perhaps this serves as reverse psychology to manifest the game into existence.
As we prepare for the upcoming Nintendo Direct, it’s essential to keep expectations in check regarding fan-favorite titles like the next Legend of Zelda game, the next Super Mario adventure, and the Final Fantasy IX remake. While surprises are always possible, the realities of game development suggest that we may need to wait a bit longer for these highly anticipated announcements.
