Ubisoft Milan reportedly pitched a Legend of Zelda game to Nintendo that would have placed the franchise's primary antagonist, Ganondorf, in the role of the playable protagonist. This ambitious project, internally codenamed "Goliath," was ultimately rejected by Nintendo, according to a report from Insider Gaming.
The game would have existed in a new universe, separate from Hyrule, and featured an entirely new protagonist initially. However, Nintendo requested that the main character be changed to Ganondorf, marking the first time the iconic villain would have been the central figure in a Zelda title.
Sources indicate that Ubisoft Milan was given a late 2023 deadline to develop a prototype for this Ganondorf-focused game. Nintendo reportedly rejected the proposal without specifying a clear reason. The studio began ideation for "Goliath" shortly after the successful launch of "Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope," for which Ubisoft Milan received critical acclaim, including a nine out of ten score from IGN.
Details surrounding the game's concept and what Ganondorf's role would have entailed remain speculative. It is unclear if the project would have explored an origin story for the character or presented a different narrative within the broader Zelda universe.
Ubisoft did not respond to requests for comment regarding "Goliath." This potential Zelda spin-off joins a list of other high-profile canceled game projects that spark curiosity about the industry's "what ifs."