Canceled Zelda Spin-Off Starring Ganondorf Revealed

A Zelda spin-off starring Ganondorf was reportedly in development at Ubisoft Milan but was rejected by Nintendo in late 2023, leading the team to leave and form Day 4 Night.

Did you know that a Zelda game where you play as Ganondorf was once in the works? According to a September 24 report from Insider Gaming, Ubisoft Milan was developing a Zelda spin-off with the internal name "Goliath." Initially, it was set to star a new protagonist, but during early development, that changed to none other than the series' iconic villain, Ganondorf.

If you're a Zelda fan, you know that playing as Ganondorf outside of Super Smash Bros. would be a huge departure for the franchise. This would have been a first for the series, and it's intriguing to imagine how it would have played. However, the report says Nintendo "rejected the prototype" in late 2023, putting an end to the project.

After the rejection, the team at Ubisoft Milan—including Davide Soliani, who directed the Mario + Rabbids games—decided to leave Ubisoft and form their own studio, Day 4 Night. They're currently working on a game called Bradley the Badger. It's a bold move, and we can't wait to see what they come up with next.

Interestingly, Ubisoft tried to pitch Nintendo on a different IP to keep the collaboration alive. They suggested both Star Fox and Mario, but Nintendo wasn't interested. So, the partnership ended there. It's a reminder that even big studios face setbacks when working with beloved franchises.

This isn't the first time a Zelda spin-off has been canceled. Retro Studios' Sheik-focused Project X was reportedly canned during the Wii era. So, while it's disappointing, it's not entirely surprising. Nintendo is very protective of its IP, and not every idea makes it to the finish line.

But hey, Zelda fans have plenty to look forward to. The Switch 2 remake of Ocarina of Time is coming out on November 5. That's a chance for a whole new generation to experience what many consider the greatest game in the series—and possibly of all time. So, while we mourn the loss of a Ganondorf-led game, there's still a lot to be excited about.

What do you think? Would you have played a Zelda spin-off starring Ganondorf? Let us know in the comments!