Ubisoft pitched a Zelda spin-off starring Ganondorf, Nintendo killed it
A planned Zelda spin-off from Ubisoft would have put Ganondorf in the starring role, but Nintendo axed it after seeing a prototype.
According to a report from Insider Gaming, Ubisoft Milan initially pitched a game codenamed Goliath in early 2023. The studio, fresh off Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, envisioned a new character leading a fresh take on the Zelda universe.
However, Nintendo reportedly asked for a major change. The publisher wanted the series' iconic villain, Ganondorf, to be the playable lead instead, per the report. This would have marked a first for the franchise, putting players in control of the king of evil.
Ubisoft Milan assembled a small team and built a prototype, which was delivered to Nintendo by November 2023. Sources told Insider Gaming that Nintendo rejected it, though the reasons remain unclear.
The cancellation reportedly led to key developers, including veterans Davide Soliani and Gian Marco Zanna, leaving Ubisoft in July 2024. They have since formed a new studio.
Kotaku notes that communication between Nintendo and Ubisoft on other projects reportedly stalled after the Zelda game was shut down.
