Ganondorf

Template:SSB Infobox Ganondorf (also known as Ganon in his beast form) is a fictional character from the The Legend of Zelda series, where he is the central antagonist and archenemy of Link and Zelda. Originally a leader of the Gerudo, a race of desert brigands, he acquired the Triforce of Power in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Since then, he has become the king of darkness and used his powers to obtain domination over Hyrule through a variety of means, particularly by obtaining the other two pieces of the Triforce.

Primarily through the Super Smash Bros. series, Ganondorf has crossed over with the Super Mario series in Nintendo Land, Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In the former, he appears as a major boss. In the two latter titles, he was an unlockable playable character. In the earlier title, he was based on his appearance in Ocarina of Time, while in the latter he was based on his The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess design.

History

Super Smash Bros. Melee

Artwork of Ganondorf in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Main article: SmashWiki:Ganondorf (SSBM)

In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Ganondorf appeared as an unlockable playable character, unlocked by clearing Event Match 29: Triforce Gathering and then defeating him in a one-on-one stock match. In both the event and the following fight, the player uses Link. Like Link and Zelda, in this title, Ganondorf's appearance was based on his design from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Like fellow secret characters Jigglypuff and Pichu, Ganondorf makes a cameo appearance in the title's introduction. His hand can be seen, along with Link's and Zelda's, one of the three Triforces glowing on each of their hands.

His special and standard moves are similar to Captain Falcon's, making Ganondorf the only character in Super Smash Bros. Melee to share moves with a character from another series. Ganondorf's attacks are much slower than Falcon's, but they are much more powerful. Ganondorf possesses the strongest Meteor Smash move (his down aerial attack), and his u-tilt move, despite being slow in execution, is stronger than most smash attacks.

Though his official artwork portrayed him with a sword, Ganondorf only uses the sword in a taunt when he wins a match in one of the Melee modes. He was voiced by Takashi Nagasako, who would later voice Donkey Kong in the Super Mario and Donkey Kong series.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Main article: SmashWiki:Ganondorf (SSBB)

Ganondorf again appeared as an unlockable playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Players unlock him by clearing Classic Mode with Link or Zelda on hard difficulty, playing 200 Brawl matches, or having Ganondorf join the team in the Subspace Emissary. Additionally, his Final Smash, Beast Ganon, allows him to transform into his beast form from Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Ganon.

Ganondorf is still a hard-hitting character in this game, but he's much more sluggish in movement. Also, some of his attacks are weaker than they were in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Ganondorf, along with Falco, are the only clone characters from Super Smash Bros. Melee to return as playable characters in this game, both with some redesigned moves.

Solid Snake codec conversation

• Snake: This guy is giving off a murderous vibe! Even getting close to him makes my skin crawl...
• Otacon: Snake! Ganondorf is dangerous! His ambition is to rule the world, and he's got the power to do it. It's no wonder they call him "King of Evil."
• Snake: Do modern weapons even work against him? Do I even have a chance?
• Otacon: Take a look around you. There are plenty of people fighting with swords or even their bare hands. At least you've got firepower! Count yourself lucky! It's not like you to whine, Snake.
• Snake: I was just asking, sheesh. Well, it's back to the mission for me.

The Subspace Emissary

Ganondorf's snapshot in The Subspace Emissary.

In the Subspace Emissary storyline, Ganondorf is the true commander of the Subspace Army, though Bowser believes he is. He is working for Master Hand to bring the world into Subspace, though he plots to betray him and seize his power. He gathers several other villains such as Wario, Ridley, and Porky. Bowser acts as his second in command and does most of the dirty work, while Ganondorf works behind the scenes. Wario, however, chose to ignore his duties and do whatever he wanted (until he was turned into a trophy and sucked into Subspace). When many of the heroes infiltrate The Subspace Bomb Factory on the Isle of Ancients, he reveals himself to them and commands the R.O.B.s to set off multiple Subspace Bombs. He even commands them to attack the Ancient Minister, who then reveals himself to be the leader of the R.O.B.s and assists the fighters. The island is absorbed into Subspace, shortly after the heroes escape. Ganondorf emerges from Subspace with Bowser on a massive Subspace Gunship, and fires at the Battleship Halberd, destroying it.

However, soon after that explosion, some of the game's heroes emerge from the explosion: Captain Olimar, Samus, Captain Falcon, and Fox McCloud, all in their own ships. They all shoot at the Subspace Gunship; however, the gunship is too powerful for them to destroy. Ganondorf attempts to destroy all the ships; however, Kirby then arrives, riding on Dragoon. He flies straight through the gunship's cannon, causing it to explode. The rest of the heroes keep firing at the Subspace Gunship, causing it to burst into flames, several parts exploding as well. However, shortly before the gunship is completely destroyed, Bowser and Ganondorf travel back into subspace.

Afterward, the two travel to Master Hand. However, Ganondorf then betrays Bowser, using the only remaining Dark Cannon to reduce him to a trophy. Master Hand himself is seen to be controlled by Tabuu, the embodiment of Subspace. Ganondorf, surprised at this revelation, leaps to attack the dark being, only to be turned into a trophy himself. When Bowser is revived by King Dedede, he furiously attacks Ganondorf's trophy in an act of vengeance. Link and Zelda come across the trophy and revive him, forming a temporary alliance as all the characters prepare for the final battle against Tabuu. After every fighter is returned to normal, all of them, including Ganondorf, battle Tabuu, eventually defeating him. After Tabuu is destroyed, the world is returned from subspace.

Special moves

Warlock Punch

Main article: SmashWiki:Warlock Punch

The Warlock Punch in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

The Warlock Punch in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Warlock Punch is one of Ganondorf's attacks in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It is performed by pressing . Ganondorf will charge shadow energy, then punch forward and burn the players on fire, severely damaging anyone who gets in the way. However, the attack is very slow, and leaves Ganondorf vulnerable. The attack itself is similar to Captain Falcon's Falcon Punch; however, it is more powerful and slower. Kirby copies this attack when he uses Swallow on Ganondorf.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Ganondorf can perform a Reverse Warlock Punch (he'll turn around while performing the attack), which packs more power than normal, but is a tad slower in execution.

The attack's animation differs between Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl; he punches with his right hand in Melee, but uses his left hand in Brawl. Ganondorf's Warlock Punch animation in Melee is exactly like Captain Falcon's Falcon Punch.

Gerudo Dragon

The Gerudo Dragon.

Main article: SmashWiki:Gerudo Dragon

Gerudo Dragon is Ganondorf's side special move, only appearing in the game Super Smash Bros. Melee. It works similarly to Captain Falcon's Raptor Boost attack. Ganondorf will then punch forward, with his hand filled with dark energy containing Psychedelic Purple fire, dealing a large amount of damage to any player in its path. Unlike Raptor Boost, however, this move will send anyone that is hit straight forward, rather than straight up. If this move ends in mid-air, Ganondorf cannot perform any other action, as he will be put into a helpless state. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, this move is replaced with Flame Choke, which, although similar, knocks the opponent to the ground instead of the air.

Flame Choke

The Flame Choke.

Main article: SmashWiki:Flame Choke

Flame Choke is Ganondorf's side special move in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. He grabs characters by the forehead, then thrusts their head to the ground. The attack works better in midair, as there is a greater distance to the ground; therefore, more damage is dealt. This move replaces the move Gerudo Dragon from Super Smash Bros. Melee. If the move ends in mid-air, Ganondorf will be put into a helpless state.

Dark Dive

Main article: SmashWiki:Dark Dive

The Dark Dive in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

The Dark Dive in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Dark Dive is Ganondorf's up special move in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Ganondorf will use a dark energy to jump high. If he hits any opponents on the way, he will grab them, and then release an explosion of darkness, pushing the two in opposite directions. However, if Ganondorf meets opponents at the end of this move, he will hit them hard with his arm, powered up by darkness (in Super Smash Bros. Brawl only). If this move fails to connect with an opponent, Ganondorf will be out into a helpless state.

The attack is a much more powerful version of Captain Falcon's Falcon Dive in Super Smash Bros. Melee. However, in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the attack is much weaker in power, and is actually weaker than the Falcon Dive, knockback-wise. The attack can be used multiple times in one jump, as long as Ganondorf strikes an opponent with each repetition of the move.

Wizard's Foot

Main article: SmashWiki:Wizard's Foot

The Wizard's Foot in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

The Wizard's Foot in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Wizard's Foot is Ganondorf's down special move in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. If performed in the air, he will kick diagonally toward the ground in the direction he's facing. If used on the ground, he will slide across the ground, kicking anyone he collides with into the air. The ground move is, in most situations, the more effective of the two. The attack is similar to Captain Falcon's Falcon Kick.

When used in the air, the Wizard's Foot can spike anyone who gets hit by the attack (in Super Smash Bros. Melee only).

Beast Ganon

Beast Ganon in action.

Main article: SmashWiki:Beast Ganon

Beast Ganon is Ganondorf's Final Smash in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. When Ganondorf activates his Final Smash, he transforms into the Dark Beast Ganon, roaring after transforming. This roar paralyzes anyone on the ground on front of him, stopping them from moving out of the way. However, if someone is in the air, they will not be stunned. The transformation alone thrusts nearby players into the ground, as long as they are not in the air. After about a second after his transformation, Beast Ganon charges forward at a considerable speed, running in a straight path and off the edge of the stage. However, after this, Beast Ganon transforms back into Ganondorf, and reappears where he was standing when he activated the Final Smash. The charge is high in power, launching even players with little damage off of the stage with ease. However, Ganon will only hit players in front of him.

Official profiles and statistics

Super Smash Bros. Melee trophies

Type	Image	Description
Classic	File:Trophy64.PNG	Said to be the sole man born to the Gerudo tribe in a hundred years, Ganondorf aspired to conquer the world. He plundered a piece of the sacred Triforce from the Temple of Time when Link pulled the Master Sword from its pedestal. With the Triforce of Power in Ganondorf's possession, Hyrule was plunged into darkness until Link and Zelda defeated the fiend.
Adventure	File:Trophy65.PNG	Since he's slow and can't jump very high, Ganondorf relies mainly on his immense physical strength to overwhelm his enemies. His great weight also makes him a difficult foe to send offscreen. Ganondorf's Warlock Punch is slow but absurdly powerful, and when he strikes with his Gerudo Dragon, enemies rise skyward enveloped in dark flames.
All-Star	File:Trophy66.PNG	Ganondorf's slow speed works against him in single combat, but in melees, his crazy power lets him earn his keep with innumerable KOs. Ganondorf can't strike quickly, but each blow he lands adds up. Ganondorf is at his quickest when he uses the Wizard's Foot, and his Dark Dive blasts foes in a burst of dark energy.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Trophies

Type	Image	Game	Description
Ganondorf		N64 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Wii The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess	A man who wants to use the power of the Triforce to conquer the world. In Twilight Princess, he gives strength to the Twilight King, Zant, and tries to change the land into a world of darkness. He possesses Zelda, transforms into a magical beast, and attacks Link. In the end, however, Link deals him a finishing blow and defeats him.
Beast Ganon		Wii Super Smash Bros. Brawl	Ganondorf's Final Smash. When he grabs a Smash Ball, he transforms into a repulsive, evil beast. He'll vanish momentarily from the screen, then rampage from one side to the other in a straight, headlong rush. When he begins the move, any character before his eyes will flinch, so try to start the move near other characters.
Ganondorf (Wind Waker)		GCN The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker	The king of evil. Ganondorf aims to collect the Triforce pieces and rule the world. Already in possession of the Triforce of Power, he secures Zelda and her Triforce of Wisdom, thus luring Link to his castle. However, he is ultimately defeated by Zelda's Light Arrows and Link's Master Sword.

Stickers

Image	Game	Effect
	Zelda: Ocarina of Time	[Darkness] - Attack +29 Usable by: Ganondorf
	Zelda: The Wind Waker	[Darkness] - Attack +33 Usable by: Ganondorf

Trivia

• Ganondorf appears as a property in the 2006 version of Nintendo Monopoly. He takes the place of Pacific Avenue and costs $300. In the 2010 version he was replaced by another Zelda series character, Midna.
• In Super Smash Bros. Melee's Classic Mode, Ganondorf only appears as a teammate for the player.
• In the Subspace Emissary, not counting the Shadow Characters, Ganondorf is the only playable villain character who is never fought.