Ubisoft Allegedly Developed a Ganondorf Spin-Off Inspired by The Legend of Zelda

A recent report reveals that Ubisoft Milan, known for developing Mario + Rabbids, was exploring a spin-off set in the Legend of Zelda universe featuring Ganondorf as the main character. Unfortunately, the project didn’t progress, leading to the departure of several key developers and potentially straining the relationship between Nintendo and Ubisoft.

According to sources familiar with the situation, in 2023, after the launch of Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, Ubisoft Milan proposed a more ambitious concept for a Zelda spin-off featuring a brand-new protagonist. This project, codenamed Goliath, was pitched to Nintendo in early 2023. While Nintendo was intrigued by the idea, they suggested a significant shift: making Ganondorf the lead character. A small team, led by Ubisoft Milan veteran Davide Soliani, began developing a prototype that needed to be completed by the year’s end.

Details about the prototype and the game’s mechanics remain unclear, but by November 2023, Soliani and his team had a prototype ready for Nintendo’s review. However, the prototype was ultimately rejected for reasons that are still unknown. Following this setback, Ubisoft reportedly began exploring other Nintendo franchises for potential game ideas, including a possible Star Fox title or another entry in the Mario universe. By early 2024, communication between Nintendo and Ubisoft began to dwindle.

Ubisoft did not provide any comments regarding the situation.

In July 2024, Soliani and other developers, including Cristina Nava and Gian Marco Zanna, left Ubisoft. In an interview, they cited the cancellation of their ambitious project as a key reason for their departure. The group has since formed a new studio, Day 4 Night, and is currently working on an exciting platformer titled Bradley the Badger.