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Nintendo reportedly rejected Ubisoft Zelda spin-off starring Ganondorf
September 25, 2026·3 min read
Ubisoft Milan reportedly developed a Zelda spin-off starring Ganondorf in 2023 before Nintendo rejected the prototype.
Ubisoft Milan reportedly spent much of 2023 developing a The Legend of Zelda spin-off that would have put Ganondorf in the lead role before Nintendo rejected the project. The previously unannounced game was internally known as "Goliath," according to a new report from Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson. The reporting is based on sources familiar with the project and has not been confirmed publicly by Nintendo or Ubisoft.
Ubisoft originally planned a new Zelda protagonist
Discussions about another collaboration reportedly began after Ubisoft Milan released Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope in October 2022. Creative director Davide Soliani and a small team started developing a larger idea rather than immediately moving to a third Mario + Rabbids game.
By early 2023, the studio had prepared a pitch for a new spin-off set in the Zelda universe. The original concept featured a completely new playable character rather than Link, Zelda or another established series figure.
According to Henderson's sources, Nintendo liked the wider concept but asked Ubisoft to replace that character with Ganondorf. Development continued with the longtime Zelda antagonist as the playable protagonist. No details have been reported about the game's story, combat or structure, so it is unclear how Ganondorf would have played or where the project would have fit within the wider Zelda series.
Nintendo rejected the prototype in late 2023
Ubisoft Milan was reportedly given until around the end of 2023 to produce a prototype strong enough to move Goliath through its next approval stage. Nintendo rejected that prototype in late November 2023, ending development before the game entered full production. Henderson's sources could not establish why Nintendo decided not to continue with the project.
The game was never publicly announced, meaning there were no confirmed platforms or release window. Nintendo and Ubisoft have also not publicly commented on Goliath since the report emerged.
Ubisoft Milan considered other Nintendo projects
After Goliath was canceled, developers reportedly discussed the possibility of working on another Nintendo property. Internal rumors at Ubisoft Milan mentioned Star Fox and another Mario project, although neither appears to have progressed into an announced game.
Talks between Ubisoft and Nintendo reportedly began breaking down between late 2023 and early 2024. Members of the Goliath team were subsequently moved to other Ubisoft projects or left without a specific assignment.
Soliani, Cristina Nava and Gian Marco Zanna eventually left Ubisoft in July 2024 and later formed Day 4 Night with veteran developer Christian Cantamessa. The studio has since revealed its first project, Bradley the Badger. As for Goliath, the reported prototype remains the closest Ubisoft Milan came to following its Mario + Rabbids games with a Zelda project centered on Ganondorf.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The evil Ganondorf is scheming to steal the mythical Triforce from the Sacred Realm and take over the world. Now Link must become the hero of time and save the kingdom in this classic tale, built from the ground up for the Nintendo Switch 2 system.
Released
November 5, 2026
Developer
Nintendo
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Nintendo
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