Ganon (ガノン, Ganon^?), also known as Ganondorf (ガノンドロフ, Ganondorofu^?) in his human forms, the King of Evil, is a fictional character and primary antagonist of several games in Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series. He is by far the most commonly used villain in the series and frequently serves as the final boss, sometimes unexpectedly, thereby giving him the status of arch-enemy to the main protagonist, Link. Although he made numerous appearances in the series, he was first given a backstory in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which was released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998. He was also given a separate backstory in The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures in 2004. A Legend of Zelda series logo The Legend of Zelda series (often shortened to Zelda, TLoZ, or LoZ), by Nintendo, is a series of video games created by celebrated game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. ... This article is about the first game in the series. ... Shigeru Miyamoto , born November 16, 1952) is a Japanese electronic game designer. ... Len Carlson (September 2, 1938 – January 26, 2006) was a voice actor on many animated television series from the 1960s onward. ... Takashi Nagasako (長嶝 高士 Nagasako Takashi, born February 24, 1964) is a seiyū who was born in Yamagata. ... A fictional character is any person who appears in a work of fiction. ... An antagonist is a fictional character or group of characters, or, sometimes an institution of a story who represents the opposition against which the hero(es) or protagonist(s) must contend. ... Nintendo Company, Limited (任天堂 or ニンテンドー Nintendō; NASDAQ: NTDOY, TYO: 7974 usually referred to as simply Nintendo, or Big N ) is a multinational corporation founded on September 23, 1889[1] in Kyoto, Japan by Fusajiro Yamauchi to produce handmade hanafuda cards. ... A Legend of Zelda series logo The Legend of Zelda series (often shortened to Zelda, TLoZ, or LoZ), by Nintendo, is a series of video games created by celebrated game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. ... Flag Ship from the video game Gorf In video games, a boss is a particularly challenging computer-controlled character that must be defeated at the end of a segment of a game, whether it be for a level, an episode, or the very end of the game itself (final boss). ... Link ) is the fictional protagonist in Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda video game series created by Shigeru Miyamoto. ... The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was a video game released in 1998, and the first Zelda game for the Nintendo 64. ... Nintendo 64 ) is Nintendos third home video game console for the international market. ... 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean [1]. // Coated in ice, power and telephone lines sag and often break, resulting in power outages. ... The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, previously known as The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Plus, is a game in The Legend of Zelda series for the Nintendo GameCube, released in Japan on March 18, 2004, North America on June 7, 2004 and Europe on January 7, 2005. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Character depiction

Various games depict Ganon as a villain with a thirst for power. Whereas earlier games such as A Link to the Past characterized simply as a power-mad villain, he has been depicted with more complexity in some of the later games, such as The Wind Waker, which provides a more understandable reason for Ganon's villainy. Ganon's roles range from savage beast to warlord. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, released in Japan on November 21, 1991, as ゼルダの伝説 神々のトライフォース (Zeruda no Densetsu: Kamigami no Toraifōsu, literally The Legend of Zelda: Triforce of the Gods...

"Ganondorf" was given as the character's original name in A Link to the Past (while he was a human thief), and the humanoid Ganondorf of Ocarina of Time was known exclusively by that name, up until his transformation at the end of the game. In some cases, this name has been used to refer to the character's human form, while the name "Ganon" is used to describe his bestial pig-like form. Other times the names are used interchangeably, such as in The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, and Four Swords Adventures. It should be noted that the only time he has referred to himself in human form was in The Wind Waker when he directly states "I am Ganondorf".

Ganon is a powerful magician, skilled in dark powers. He is also a swordsman, and possesses great intellect which he uses to manipulate people and creatures to his advantage; despite this, he usually uses his vast strength and magical powers to battle Link.

Game appearances and biography

The Legend of Zelda

Main article: The Legend of Zelda

Ganon first appeared in the NES game, The Legend of Zelda. In this game, Ganon attacks the land of Hyrule and steals the Triforce of Power which he uses to overrun the kingdom with monsters. He later kidnaps Zelda and locks her in his lair on Death Mountain, and is the final boss and primary antagonist of the game. This article is about the first game in the series. ...

The Adventure of Link

Main article: Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

Ganon only makes a brief cameo in The Adventure of Link, as a shadowy figure in the Game Over screen; the plot of the game partially involves an attempt by Ganon's followers to revive him using Link's blood. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is a video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System, and the second in the Legend of Zelda series of games. ... Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is a video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System, and the second in the Legend of Zelda series of games. ...

Ganon, seen here in A Link to the Past.

Image File history File links Ganon_in_Link_to_the_Past_screenshot. ... Image File history File links Ganon_in_Link_to_the_Past_screenshot. ... The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, released in Japan on November 21, 1991, as ゼルダの伝説 神々のトライフォース (Zeruda no Densetsu: Kamigami no Toraifōsu, literally The Legend of Zelda: Triforce of the Gods...

A Link to the Past

Main article: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

In A Link to the Past, it is said that Ganondorf and his army of thieves, skilled in dark arts, found the entrance to the Golden Land, and upon entering the realm he kills his followers and touches the Triforce with "blood stained hands". He wishes to conquer the world and this transforms the Golden Land into the corrupt Dark World. Ganon summons other beings to his new land for his army. His army attacks the land of Hyrule until the knights and the seven wise men combine their power and seal Ganon and his army in his corrupt world. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, released in Japan on November 21, 1991, as ゼルダの伝説 神々のトライフォース (Zeruda no Densetsu: Kamigami no Toraifōsu, literally The Legend of Zelda: Triforce of the Gods... The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, released in Japan on November 21, 1991, as ゼルダの伝説 神々のトライフォース (Zeruda no Densetsu: Kamigami no Toraifōsu, literally The Legend of Zelda: Triforce of the Gods... Spoiler warning: The Golden Land (A Link to the Past) or, by later translations, the Sacred Realm (Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker) is one of the more fantastical locations in the fictional Zelda world. ... The Triforce is commonly depicted as three golden triangles arranged to form a larger triangle. ...

Centuries later, using the form of Agahnim, Ganon returns to Hyrule Castle and overthrows the King. He then kidnaps and transports seven maidens, descendants of the sages, to reside in the Dark World in order to break the sages' seal. When Link ultimately defeats Agahnim in a battle at the top of Ganon's Tower, Ganon flees to the Pyramid of Power, where Link, armed with Silver Arrows and the Master Sword, is finally able to best him and use the Triforce to restore Hyrule and resurrect those Ganon killed. Agahnim is a fictional character from the Legend of Zelda videogame series. ... ... Hyrule Castle (ハイラル城, Hairaru-jō) is the home of the royal family of Hyrule, a mythical land in the popular Nintendo video game series The Legend of Zelda. ... The Master Sword on its pedestal. ...

A young Ganondorf at the beginning of Ocarina of Time

This work is copyrighted. ... This work is copyrighted. ...

Ocarina of Time

Main article: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

In Ocarina of Time, Ganondorf is known as the King of the Gerudo, by virtue of being the only male in the tribe. Ganondorf learns of the legend of the Triforce and seeks to attain it with the aid of his surrogate servants, Twinrova. He makes attempts to steal the sacred stones from the Gorons, Kokiri, and Zoras in order to enter the Sacred Realm, but is unable to. He eventually chases Impa and Princess Zelda into hiding. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was a video game released in 1998, and the first Zelda game for the Nintendo 64. ... The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was a video game released in 1998, and the first Zelda game for the Nintendo 64. ... The Gerudo is a tribe of thieves in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. ... The Triforce is commonly depicted as three golden triangles arranged to form a larger triangle. ... Twinrova are a pair of fictional witches from the Legend of Zelda series. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Spoiler warning: The Golden Land (A Link to the Past) or, by later translations, the Sacred Realm (Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker) is one of the more fantastical locations in the fictional Zelda world. ... Impa, Sage of Shadow and last of the Sheikah (Ocarina of Time) Impa ) is a fictional character in the Legend of Zelda series of video games. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ...

Noting that Link had attained the Sacred Stones for himself, Ganondorf uses this opportunity to seize the Triforce when Link removes the Master Sword, the final key to the Sacred Realm. However his unbalanced heart only allows him to receive the Triforce of Power (with Wisdom and Courage going to Zelda and Link respectively). His Triforce piece allows him to cause numerous disasters for all of Hyrule, and in doing so, become the king.

By the time seven years had passed, he had placed monsters in the Sages' temples to prevent them from hearing their "awakening call". When Link awakened from the Sacred Realm as a young adult, Ganondorf watched him, waiting for when Zelda would reveal herself. Ganondorf is eventually able to capture the final sage - Princess Zelda - forcing Link into a direct confrontation. Although bested by Link in the ensuing battle atop his tower, he uses the remains of his power to destroy his tower, in hope of finishing Link and Zelda. Though they escape, thinking him defeated, Ganondorf comes out of the rubble, and using the Triforce of Power, he transforms into a bipedal sword-wielding pig-like form called Ganon, similar to the Ganon shown in earlier games. After a large battle, the Seven Sages imprison Ganondorf in the Sacred Realm and he vows to return and exterminate Link and Zelda's descendants, as long as the Triforce of Power was still in his hand.

Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons

Main articles: The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons

Ganon was the hidden final boss of Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons in the linked game. He was revived by the Twinrova sisters by causing despair in Labrynna, destruction in Holodrum and sacrificing Princess Zelda. But when Link saved Zelda, the ritual was incomplete - Twinrova then used themselves as the sacrifice and Ganon became nothing more than a "mindless beast" bent on destruction, failing to retain his mind. This article or section should include material from Like like ring, Moblin ring Oracle of Ages title screen (GBC original) The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages (also known as OoA) is a video game published by Nintendo and developed by Nintendo in conjunction with Capcom. ... This article or section should include material from Frypolar Oracle of Seasons title screen (GBC original) The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons (also known as OoS ) is a video game published by Nintendo and developed by Nintendo in conjunction with Capcom. ... This article or section should include material from Like like ring, Moblin ring Oracle of Ages title screen (GBC original) The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages (also known as OoA) is a video game published by Nintendo and developed by Nintendo in conjunction with Capcom. ... This article or section should include material from Frypolar Oracle of Seasons title screen (GBC original) The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons (also known as OoS ) is a video game published by Nintendo and developed by Nintendo in conjunction with Capcom. ... Twinrova are a pair of fictional witches from the Legend of Zelda series. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ...

Ganondorf as seen in Wind Waker

Image File history File linksMetadata Ganon_ww. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Ganon_ww. ...

The Wind Waker

Main article: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Ganondorf manipulates the course of events across the game to lead Link to take the Master Sword from its undersea resting place, releasing his full power. After Link has been able to directly confront him, Ganondorf reveals to him that he grew up in a harsh enviroment (most likely referring to the Gerudo Valley) where the wind was a destructive force that brought only death, while the wind in Hyrule was a life-giving force; he admits "I coveted that wind, I suppose." After a quick hand to hand battle in which Ganondorf decimates Link with various punches, he steals Link's Triforce, and, uniting it with the Triforce he stole from Zelda, recompletes the triangle. Before Ganondorf can touch it however, The King comes in and touches the Triforce instead, wishing for "hope" and Hyrule to be drowned by the sea up above. This prompts Ganondorf to attack Link, starting a battle on top of Ganondorf's Tower. During the battle, he is able to temporarily incapacitate Zelda, although she is able to soon recover. At the end of the fight, Link dodges one of Ganondorf's attacks, and impales him in the forehead, which shatters the jewel on top. Ganondorf then mutters "the wind... it is blowing", after which he is covered by what appears to be a stone shell, and is left with the King to "drown" in hyrule. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (or Zeruda no Densetsu: Kaze no Takuto in Japan) is the ninth game in the well-known The Legend of Zelda series of video games. ... The Master Sword on its pedestal. ... The Gerudo Valley appears in the Nintendo 64 video game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. ...

Four Swords Adventures

Main article: The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

Ganondorf is given an entirely new backstory in this game. Ganon, in his pig form, is the final boss in The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures. A young Gerudo named Ganondorf is found to have stolen a trident that gives him incredible powers. With this weapon, he began to seize control of parts of Hyrule, spreading evil and creating an army of Dark Links. As in The Wind Waker, Link and Zelda team up to defeat Ganon, eventually sealing him within the Four Sword. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, previously known as The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Plus, is a game in The Legend of Zelda series for the Nintendo GameCube, released in Japan on March 18, 2004, North America on June 7, 2004 and Europe on January 7, 2005. ... The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, previously known as The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Plus, is a game in The Legend of Zelda series for the Nintendo GameCube, released in Japan on March 18, 2004, North America on June 7, 2004 and Europe on January 7, 2005. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles. ... In The Legend of Zelda series of video games, the protagonist Link uses a variety of weapons and items during his quests. ...

Twilight Princess

Main article: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Ganondorf, as seen in Twilight Princess.

Ganondorf appears as sort of a twist ending in Twilight Princess. He is first introduced as having been banished to the Twilight Realm after a botched execution by the sages. Then, posing as a god, he is able to give Zant (who was built up to be the primary antagonist) some of his power and convince him to attempt conquest of the light world. He also serves as the final boss of the game in numerous phases, including one appearance as Ganon (in a more feral style than in previous appearances). Image File history File links Ganondorf_twilight. ... Image File history File links Ganondorf_twilight. ... Zant ) is a fictional antagonist in the Nintendo game, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. ...

CD-i Zeldas

Ganon appears in his "pig" form in all three of the CD-i Zelda titles, Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon, Link: The Faces of Evil, excluding Zelda's Adventure in which he was a large muscular devil creature. In these versions he only requires one hit to defeat, and appears to be a sorcerer of some sort with features based in his cartoon incarnation. His name is misspelled as Gannon. These games are (in many cases) not considered to be actual Zelda games. A screenshot from Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon. ... Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon is a video game published by Philips Media and released for the Philips CD-i in 1993. ... Zeldas Adventure is a video game developed by Viridis and released for the Philips CD-i in 1994. ...

Games without appearances of Ganon

In other Zelda games, Ganon is hardly touched upon, if at all. He does not appear in Majora's Mask or The Minish Cap where Majora and Vaati fill the roles of primary antagonist, respectively. The Wind Fish's Nightmares assume a form called "Ganon's Shadow" in Link's Awakening, constructed from Link's memories of battling Ganon. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is a game for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance. ... Vaati ), the Wind Mage, is an antagonist from the Legend of Zelda series. ... The Wind Fishs nightmares, are the primary antagonists in the video game The Legend of Zelda: Links Awakening, part of the Legend of Zelda series. ...

Super Smash Bros. Melee

Main article: Super Smash Bros. Melee

Ganondorf is also an unlockable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and is based on his appearance in the SpaceWorld demo, even wielding the large, cleaverlike sword in one of his victory poses (though he cannot actually use it in combat). In Melee, he is referred to by his full name, "Ganondorf," and is a slower, heavier, and more powerful "clone" of Captain Falcon, performing mostly the same attacks and moves (although his regular A attack and others are different). In this appearance, Ganondorf was voiced by Takashi Nagasako. Super Smash Bros. ... Super Smash Bros. ... SpaceWorld is a video game trade show hosted by Nintendo. ... Captain Falcon ) (Full name: Captain Douglas Jay Falcon) is a video game character in the F-Zero series, Nintendos fast paced futuristic racing video game franchise. ... Takashi Nagasako (長嶝 高士 Nagasako Takashi, born February 24, 1964) is a seiyū who was born in Yamagata. ...

Animated series appearances

The Legend of Zelda animated series

Ganon was also the main villain of 1989's Legend of Zelda cartoon, which was shown as part of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show in syndication that year. In the cartoon, Ganon was peach-skinned anthropomorphic pig and a wizard. He was in possession of the Triforce of Power, and, despite seemingly endless abilities and magical powers that emanated from finger tips he bungled away each and every chance he had to nab the Triforce of Wisdom. He spent most of his time living in his subterranean lair, referred to as his "castle", which was located in the Underworld. He was voiced by the late Len Carlson, who would later go on to voice Klump in Donkey Kong Country. 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Legend of Zelda is a cartoon series based on the popular Legend of Zelda video games created by Shigeru Miyamoto. ... A number of television programs based on the Super Mario Bros. ... // In the study of mythology and religion, the underworld is a generic term approximately equivalent to the lay term afterlife, referring to any place to which newly dead souls go. ... Len Carlson (September 2, 1938 – January 26, 2006) was a voice actor on many animated television series from the 1960s onward. ... Klump in Donkey Kong Country Klumps are enemies in the Donkey Kong Country series. ... Donkey Kong Country is a computer-generated animated television series based on the successful Nintendo franchise Donkey Kong as portrayed in the Donkey Kong Country video game series by Rare. ...

Captain N: The Game Master

Ganon (just like Link and Zelda) also appeared in Captain N: The Game Master, as a secondary villain in the episode "Quest For the Potion of Power". This was something of a continuum of Ganon's appearance in the Zelda Cartoon. The episode seems to take place after the happenings of the original Zelda game (and maybe even Zelda II), during which Ganon is weakened. Through the course of the episode he becomes revived, double-crosses Mother Brain, and is then killed again by the Reflect magic on Link's shield. Captain N: The Game Master is a cartoon series that aired on U.S. and United Kingdom television from 1989 to 1992. ... Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is a video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System, and the second in the Legend of Zelda series of games. ... Image of Mother Brain from a Metroid: Zero Mission cut scene. ...

References