Ganondorf

Ganondorf (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, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. In the former, he appears as a major boss. In the Super Smash Bros. series, Ganondorf is an unlockable playable character except for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, in which he is a default character. In Super Smash Bros. Melee his design is based upon his appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, while in later games he is based on his The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess design.

Super Smash Bros. Melee


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 moves and attacks slower than Falcon, but his attacks are 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
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.

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, while Ganondorf works behind the scenes. Wario, however, chooses to act independently (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 riding in ships belonging to 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 retreat 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 him, only to be turned into a trophy himself. When Bowser is revived by King Dedede, he furiously attacks Ganondorf's trophy in 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.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Ganondorf reppears as a playable character. He is an unlockable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS but is a default character in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. In the Nintendo 3DS versions, players can unlock him by completing Classic Mode with Link or Zelda on 5.0 Intensity or higher, and they must defeat him in the subsequent match, taking place in Gerudo Valley, to unlock him.

Ganondorf's appearance has continued to adopt his incarnation from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and he reuses his voice set, although he has minor details added to his design. His armor is slightly more damaged, bearing some cracks, the glow in his armor is more prominent, and his cape is more torn. Additionally, Ganondorf's facial expressions are different.

Ganondorf remains a slow, but powerful character, and his moveset, aside from his options for alternate custom special moves, continues to closely resemble Captain Falcon's moveset.

Warlock Punch
Warlock Punch is one of Ganondorf's attacks in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. 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 and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, 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. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, the punch possesses "super armor" qualities and is more difficult for opponents to interrupt.

Ganondorf has received two unlockable variants of Warlock Punch in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, one which allows him to use his sword. Warlock Sword is similar, but has more range at the cost of power. Warlock Thrust has less power and knockback, but it is quicker to perform and the move ends in a blast that can affect multiple opponents more easily.

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 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 and also allows Ganondorf to grab edges after the attack.

Flame Choke


Flame Choke is Ganondorf's side special move in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. 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.

Ganondorf has two additional moves that can replace his default move in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, provided that the player has unlocked them. Ganondorf can use Flame Wave, where he grabs his opponent, but shoots his opponent which can hit other opponents. Ganondorf's other move, Flame Chain, goes through opponents without grabbing them, inflicting damage.

Dark Dive
Dark Dive is Ganondorf's up special move in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. 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 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.

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Ganondorf has two unlockable variants of this move. With Dark Fists, Ganondorf cannot grab opponents, but there is a powerful hit at the end of the move. Dark Vault, another variant, grants Ganondorf more height at the cost of grabbing his opponents and power.

Wizard's Foot
Wizard's Foot is Ganondorf's down special move in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. 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).

Ganondorf has two unlockable custom special moves in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. If Ganondorf uses Wizard's Dropkick, a variant, and hits the ground, the impact creates small knockback and damage for nearby opponents while rebounding Ganondorf at a slightly different angle. With Wizard's Assault, the variant increases the distance gained, but it has a longer startup time. It also moves straight down if Ganondorf uses it in the air.

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, and in the air, stopping them from moving out of the way. 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, Beast Ganon will only hit players in front of him.

Beast Ganon also appears as Ganondorf's Final Smash in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, operating in exactly the same way as in Super Smash Bros. Brawl; however, the attack power has been weakened.

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.
 * As a possible Easter egg, one of Ganondorf's trophy's eyes glow red when the background is turned dark.