Ubisoft Milan, the studio responsible for the Mario + Rabbids series, was reportedly in talks with Nintendo to develop a spin-off title in The Legend of Zelda franchise that would have centered on the iconic villain Ganondorf. This ambitious project, internally codenamed 'Project Goliath', began development in 2022 following the release of Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope.
Sources familiar with the discussions suggest that Mario + Rabbids co-creator Davide Soliani led the pitch. Initially, Ubisoft Milan developed a concept featuring an original protagonist, but Nintendo requested that the studio replace this character with Ganondorf, Link's nemesis. Despite Nintendo's initial receptiveness to the concept, the company reportedly rejected Ubisoft Milan's prototype in November 2023, leading to the project's cancellation. The precise reasons for Nintendo's ultimate decision remain unclear.
Following the cancellation of the Ganondorf game, further discussions between Nintendo and Ubisoft Milan reportedly took place regarding other potential collaborations. Rumors circulated about projects based on franchises such as Star Fox or another Mario spin-off. However, these conversations reportedly began to break down between late 2023 and early 2024.
As a result of these developments, members of the Ubisoft Milan team were reportedly reassigned to other projects within the company. Davide Soliani, a 25-year veteran at Ubisoft, subsequently departed the publisher to establish his own studio, Day 4 Night. Ubisoft Milan has since been contributing to Rayman Legends Untold, a collaboration with Ubisoft Montpellier. The proposed Ganondorf spin-off remains unfulfilled, leaving its potential unrealized for now.