A significant Nintendo Direct is set for Friday morning, but it may be prudent to adjust your expectations.

To clarify, I’m not implying the Direct will lack excitement. Nevertheless, it’s a video game announcement livestream, and given the complexities of game development, the reveal you’re looking forward to might not be ready yet. The game development process can be quite lengthy, and Nintendo has just transitioned into the Switch 2 era after recently launching new titles in several key franchises.

With that in mind, let’s examine the games you likely won’t see come Friday morning.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Direct: 5 Switch 2 titles we desperately need to see Friday

I want to stress that I would relish being proven incorrect regarding these. I enjoy these games and their franchises just like anyone else! However, patience is crucial in the gaming industry.

The next Legend of Zelda installment

‘Echoes of Wisdom’ was released only about a year ago. Credit: Nintendo

I dislike delivering disappointing news as I don’t think anyone adores or appreciates The Legend of Zelda more than I do. Zelda enthusiasts, myself included, had an enjoyable time during the Switch 1 era, particularly towards its conclusion, with the launches of Tears of the Kingdom and Echoes of Wisdom within 18 months of each other.

That said, I believe it’s not the right time for the next installment in this iconic series. There was a six-year interval between Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, and the latter was only released just over two years ago. Nonetheless, I’m prepared to acknowledge I could be mistaken. It’s worth mentioning that Nintendo teased Tears for the first time just a couple of years after Breath was released. A significant Switch 2-exclusive Zelda teaser would be an astonishing “one more thing” at the conclusion of this Direct.

The next major Super Mario title

What is this cool guy up to? Credit: Nintendo

It’s rather unusual that with a new Nintendo console available, we haven’t heard anything regarding the next mainline Super Mario platformer. Nearly every Nintendo home console has seen a major Mario title within a year of its launch, which typically means the game is announced by the time the console debuts. This is not the case with Switch 2, and there’s a valid reason for that.

In case you weren’t aware, Donkey Kong Bananza was created by the team responsible for Super Mario Odyssey, the plumber’s last 3D adventure. It’s a fantastic game that fulfills the 3D Mario itch, but it isn’t a Mario title. I am confident that a major 3D Mario game will eventually arrive for Switch 2, but if the Bananza team is in charge, we may have to be patient for a while.

That said, Nintendo could have had another team working on Mario’s next escapade from the start. It’s not entirely out of the question that we’ll see the next chapter for Mario in the Direct, but I’m not holding my breath.

Final Fantasy IX remake

It would be disappointing if those rumors proved false. Credit: Square Enix/Steam

Final Fantasy IX, a cherished RPG for the original PlayStation, celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. Alongside this milestone were reports from reliable sources indicating that a remake of the game is under development. Many anticipated its appearance in the previous Nintendo Direct back in April, but it didn’t show up. It also hasn’t been featured anywhere else since, as at least one leaker indicated that the project is encountering difficulties.

I would be thrilled to witness this come to fruition because FFIX is among the few titles in the series I haven’t experienced, but I suspect we won’t see it on Friday, or perhaps even ever. I’ve been wrong countless times before, so take this as an effort to reverse-jinx the game into reality.