Ganondorf

Ganondorf (also known as Ganon) 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 both Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In each title, he was an unlockable playable character. In the first title, he was based off of his appearance in Ocarina of Time and in the second he was based off of his appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Ganondorf also appeared alongside several Super Mario subjects in Nintendo Monopoly, where he took the role of Pacific Avenue. He costs $300.

Super Smash Bros. Series
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 off of 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, the one of the three Triforces glowing on each their hands.

His special and standard moves are similar to Captain Falcon's, making Ganondorf the only character in 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. 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 previously voiced Donkey Kong in the Super Mario and ''Donkey Kong series.

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 (see Role 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.

Reception in the Super Smash Bros. Series
Ganondorf was a highly popular choice for a character addition to Melee, but fans were apalled to see that Ganondorf failed to have a unique set of moves, instead having moves nearly identical to Captain Falcon. There was much controversy among other characters getting unique movesets over Ganondorf, in particular Zelda having two full movesets due to being able to transform into Shiek. Ganondorf has no shortage of potential for moves and has never once fought hand to hand in the Legend of Zelda series, making his moveset most unfitting.

In Brawl many expected this issue to be adressed, but for the most part Ganondorf remained largely the same, him having few notable changes. While Ganondorf was far from his true self in regards to fighting style in Brawl, he did gain two moves from his boss fight from the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess in his new forward "tilt" and his new side special, the Flame Choke. Considering Ganondorf has had his moveset stuck in this state for two games now, it is rather set in stone and unlikely to change. One popular theory is that Black Shadow could inherit Ganondorf's more powerful, slower Captain Falcon moveset while Ganondorf gets a unique one, but this is very hypothetical, considering a fouth Super Smash Bros game has yet to be announced.

Warlock Punch


Warlock Punch is one of Ganondorf's attacks in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It is performed by pressing the B Button. Ganondorf will charge shadow energy, then punch forward, 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. The attack's animation differs between Super Smash Bros Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

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, 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. 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


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.

Dark Dive
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 someone on the way, he will grab them, and then release an explosion of dark matter, pushing the two in opposite directions. The attack is a much more powerful version of Captain Falcon's Falcon Dive. 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
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.

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 a player 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.

Role in the Subspace Emissary
In the Subspace Emissary storyline, Ganondorf is the true commander of the Subspace Army, 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 Minch. 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, and Captain Falcon, and Fox, 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, save the island that held the subspace bomb factory, is returned from subspace.

Trivia

 * Ganon was misspelled as Gannon in the original Legend of Zelda title. This was corrected in all future Zelda installments, even the remakes of the original game. Despite this, many have continued to misspell Ganon as Gannon, sparking up an internet meme where one would say Gannon Banned to those who misspelled Ganon as Gannon. This has been extended to be able to be said to those who make other errors relating to the zelda series, as seen here.

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.

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