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Pathetic little fool! Do you realize who you are dealing with!? I am Ganondorf! And soon, I will rule this world!
~ Ganondorf to Link in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Ganon... this beast was once of the Gerudo... Once human. He was called Ganondorf! King of Darkness, ancient demon reborn.
~ Zelda on Ganon.

Ganondorf Dragmire, also known as Ganon in his demon form, is the main antagonist of The Legend of Zelda franchise. He is primarily the ruler of the Gerudo, holder of the Triforce of Power, and arch-nemesis of both Link and Princess Zelda. He is also the reincarnation of the Demon King, Demise, who cursed himself and his foes with eternal reincarnation so he could come back to haunt them and their descendants again and again.

In all timelines, he was the Gerudo leader known as the King of Thieves before eventually coming into possession of the Triforce of Power, one of three pieces of the Triforce able to grant the user's wishes. Ganondorf constantly tried to steal the Triforce pieces of Wisdom and Courage which Zelda and Link held to obtain the power of the Golden Goddesses and as such was locked in conflict with them.

In Japanese version, he has been voiced by the late Seizō Katō in The Legend of Zelda: Ancient Stone Tablets, Takashi Nagasako (also the voice of Tengu Man) in all appearances from Ocarina of Time to Four Swords Adventures (alongside Super Smash Bros. Ultimate), Hironori Miyata in Twilight Princess, Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for 3DS/Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and Taiten Kusunoki in Hyrule Warriors. In English, he was voiced by the late Len Carlson in the TV series and Captain N: The Game Master and Mark Berry in Link: The Faces of Evil and Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon.

Roles[]

He appears as the main antagonist of Ocarina of Time, A Link to The Past, The Legend of Zelda, Twilight Princess, Four Swords Adventures, The Wind Waker, and Breath of the Wild (as Calamity Ganon in the latter); and the overarching antagonist of Oracle of Seasons, Oracle of Ages, and A Link Between Worlds. He is also a posthumous antagonist in Link's Awakening and Phantom Hourglass, a mentioned antagonist in Majora's Mask, and one of the two posthumous overarching antagonists (alongside The Magician) of The Adventure of Link.

He is also the main antagonist of the non-canon Hyrule Warriors series and one of the two secondary antagonists (along with Bowser) of Super Smash Bros. Brawl's story mode, Subspace Emissary.

Alter-Egos[]

He was Demise's reincarnation, though Ganondorf created copies of himself. The first to appear was Agahnim who only existed in the "Decline" timeline. The second was Phantom Ganon in the "Unified" timeline, causing a second Phantom Ganon to appear in the "Child" and "Adult" timelines and a third to appear in the former timeline. Ganon's resentments and evil thoughts also manifested as a Shadow Link in the "Split" and "Decline" timelines. Yuga Ganon was the result of Yuga reviving and fusing with him to conquer both Lorule and Hyrule. In the "Adult" timeline, Puppet Ganon was also created. After all timelines supposedly connect, he is reincarnated once more as Calamity Ganon.

Personality[]

He was the leader of a band of thieves who invaded Hyrule in the hopes of establishing dominion over the Sacred Realm. He was known as a demon thief, an evil-magic wielder renowned for his ruthlessness...
~ The Ancient Sage on Ganondorf.

Ganondorf in general is a man known for his cruelty and ruthlessness who holds a power-hungry desire of conquering Hyrule. Being the reincarnation of Demise's hatred, Ganondorf embodies the very characteristics of his evil. Throughout the games, his goal has consistently been wanting to obtain the Triforce and use it as a means of claiming Hyrule under his rule. As he holds the Triforce of Power, he is extremely prideful and egotistical, believing himself to be above all others. His desire for power was what led him to being granted only one piece of the Triforce, as his heart does not maintain a balance between courage, wisdom and power.

For the most part, Ganondorf is a tactical mastermind, capable of deceiving and manipulating others into his bidding, as shown when he deceived the King of Hyrule by swearing his loyalty to him in Ocarina of Time and manipulating Zant into seizing control of Hyrule so that he may escape from the Twilight Realm and take over the kingdom. He has even managed to manipulate Link himself in Ocarina of Time by allowing him to defeat his minions and recapture the temples from their control, knowing that this will lead him to Zelda when she lets her guard down. This way, he would kidnap Zelda, causing Link to rescue her from his clutches, drawing the remaining two pieces of the Triforce towards him.

Ganondorf is usually a calm and collected person, with sinister intentions in mind. However, when he is pushed near to his defeat, he begins to show his true colors of his anger and hatred, expressing his desire to kill those that get in his way. Indeed, this is best shown in Ocarina of Time when he assumes his more powerful form, Ganon, as he throws away any sense of rationality and humanity within him, with his only intention being to kill Link and Zelda.

In spite of his cruel nature, Ganondorf has shown to have some form of honor at certain points throughout the games. In Ocarina of Time, he was impressed by Link's willingness to stand up to him, acknowledging his courage as a result. Even in situations where he is given the opportunity to kill him, he instead allows him to live so that he may be able to defeat him in combat. In Wind Waker, this sense of honor continues when he acknowledges Link for not only being able to infiltrate the Forsake Fortress, but for him to also defeat one of his more powerful minions, the Helmaroc King. His sense of morality also extended towards Zelda when he refuses to kill her, instead choosing to knock her out.

In the Child Timeline, the only thing Ganondorf desires is revenge on the Sages that have punished and sealed him away before he could even begin his true plans. By this point, Ganondorf has become blinded by his own rage and arrogance. Because his true intentions have been exposed and been made clear, he does not hesitate to openly resort to more brutal tactics to achieve his goals. His goals are more or less the same as what he originally intended to do in Ocarina of Time, except he has become more persistent in achieving them, no matter what. Even when he is on the edge of death, Ganondorf refuses to accept his demise and that insists that history will continue to be written in the blood slain by his own hands. Indeed, his very hatred continues on in death as it leads to him being reincarnated once more as a Gerudo male who desires power in Four Swords Adventures.

In the Downfall Timeline, Ganondorf has assumed his most powerful form, Ganon, and as a result, he no longer retains his humanity. Instead, Ganon has developed a barbaric approach of claiming Hyrule by killing all of his followers, specifically so that he can claim the Triforce in the Sacred Realm for himself and later declaring war on the kingdom itself, in hopes of claiming through conquest. When Ganon is resurrected in Oracle of Ages/Oracle of Seasons, he has become a mindless monster filled with rage and his only desire being is destroy.

In the Adult Timeline, Ganondorf appears to have become somewhat more humble and philosophical after having time to reflect upon his actions towards Hyrule. Though he has managed to conquer Hyrule, he realizes his actions have brought its very destruction, so he intends to use to Triforce to restore the kingdom to its former glory. It is also here where he reveals that his motives of wanting to rule Hyrule aren't primarily out of his desire for power, but to escape from the harsh climate that he and his people are subjected to living in the Gerudo Desert. Despite this, he still intends to conquer Hyrule as his own with the intention of plunging it into darkness, showing that he is hypocritical. However, when he is slain by Link, he appears to have accepted his defeat as he smiles shortly before his demise. According to the official Hyrule Encyclopedia, Ganondorf at this moment remembered what his original purpose was and was satisfied to be freed from the curse that plagued him for so long.

By the events of Breath of the Wild, Ganondorf has long abandoned his Gerudo-self and become the very manifestation of his own malice and hatred, with his only purpose in life being to bring endless havoc and destruction upon the lives of Hyrule.

Appearance[]

File:TLoZ Ganon Sprite 5.png

Ganon as he appeared in the first installment of the franchise.

As Ganondorf, his appearance varies throughout each game however what remains constant across all of his appearances is that he is a handsome tall and muscular man with greenish brown skin, sharp facial features, golden-brown eyes and a thick head of fiery red hair. He is also mostly seen wearing black leather body armor, a sash depicting Gerudo symbols across his collarbone and a long crimson cape with gold accents and fringe.

In Ocarina of Time, Ganondorf appears as a younger and more skinny version than his usual self. During the earlier events of the game he has spiky hair and wears regal Gerudo clothing. After taking over the throne as the King of Hyrule however he lets his hair grow much longer and adds a red and black cape to his look. In the Space World 2001 demo, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Ganondorf's look appears to be a hybrid of both his younger and older selves from Ocarina of Time with him mostly resembling his younger self while wearing his older self's clothes.

In The Wind Waker, Ganondorf gains a much bulkier build which is complimented by his new attire which is made up of an crimson elegant, baggy longrobe that covers his entire body with black trousers and a black cloak with gigantic sleeves that's adorned with gold accents all around it. He also wears golden shoes and wields two twin swords with golden handles and red decorative ropes at the ends. All in all his appearance appears to have been modified to resemble that of King Daphnes, the deuteragonist of the game who acts as somewhat of a foil to Ganondorf given that both men are old relics of Hyrule who wind up dying with it at the end of the game.

In Twilight Princess, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash. Bros for Wii U/3DS, Ganondorf also looks significantly older than usual although his build mostly remains the same. His skin appears significantly darker looking and almost grey in certain lighting conditions, his body armor and cape also appear to be damaged. Perhaps this incarnation's most distinguishing feature would be that of the gaping, glowing hole in the middle of his chest where the Six Sages executed him with their sword which Ganondorf actually took for himself after their attempt failed.

As Ganon his appearance varies from game to game. In much of the earlier games as well as the Oracle games, Four Swords Adventures, and A Link Between Worlds, Ganon is depicted as a giant, muscular, blue boar-like monster with blue skin red eyes and cloven feet. He also wears black, blue, golden and red battle armor while wielding a massive gold trident. After Yuga merges with him and steals his body Ganon's form mostly looks the same although several of Yuga's physical attributes are now on Ganon's body such as his skin, his hair and his fingernails as well as the tattered remains of his clothes.

In Ocarina of Time and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Ganon appears as a giant boar and ox-like monster who towers over both Link and Zelda. Many of Ganondorf's physical traits remain on this form of Ganon such as his hair and the ruined remnants of his clothes, he also has horns and a tail in this incarnation and wields two giant golden swords. Ganon also looks vaguely similar to this in Twilight Princess although this version appears to be much more bestial and monstrous.

As Agahnim, he has pale blue skin, purple eyes and black, sharp fingernails and is covered head to toe in red robes with a red turban atop his head. His clothing also has purple and gold accents. In game, however, his clothing appears as green and yellow instead.

Other Media[]

Hyrule Warriors[]

File:HW Ganondorf Render.png

Ganondorf in Hyrule Warriors.

Long ago, Ganondorf attempted to take over Hyrule but a past Link fought and defeated him; Link broke Ganondorf's spirit into four pieces, sending three into the depths of time and space and the fourth at the entrance to the temple containing the Master Sword.

Eventually, Triforce guardian Cia's infatuation with Link caused her to become corrupted and allowed Ganondorf to have her as the figurehead leader of the Dark Forces.

In the end, he was revived through three of his spirit fragments. Now working separately from Cia, he attacked Link and Zelda at the Temple of Souls, but Link defeated Ganondorf, destroying him. However, Ganondorf was revived through his fourth and final spirit fragment, resurrecting Zant and Ghirahim (who had been destroyed and imprisoned in a Portal of Souls, respectively). The evil trio took control of Gerudo Desert and Ganondorf took the Triforce pieces from Link, Zelda, and Lana.

Believing the battle to be won he disappeared. This gave Link and his allies the opportunity to defeat Ghirahim and Zant, destroying them once and for all. Then they attacked Ganon's Castle, which he had turned Hyrule Castle into. Once defeated again, Ganondorf transformed into Ganon. Link defeated Ganondorf, then he, Zelda, and Lana used the Triforce to destroy him. What remained of his darkness was either sealed or destroyed when Link and Zelda returned the Master Sword.

Super Smash Bros.[]

Super Smash Bros. Melee[]

File:Ganondorf (Super Smash Bros Melee).jpg

Ganondorf in Super Smash Bros Melee.

In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Ganondorf appears as a playable character marking his playable debut in any game; he is unlocked through successfully completing Event Match #29 (Triforce Gathering) or, alternatively, playing 600 versus mode matches. His design is based on his appearance in the Space World 2000 Demo with a moveset almost identical to that of Captain Falcon (this is due to him having a similar body structure to Captain Falcon), the prime difference being that Ganondorf lacks Captain Falcon's speed but makes up for it by dealing greater damage to his opponents. His moves also differ in that they utilize dark magic in place of fire. His status as a villain is recognized in the game as the player as Link teams up with Zelda to fight Ganondorf in Event Match #29 (Triforce Gathering) and in Event Match #51 (The Showdown) in which the player's character of choice fights off a tag team consisting of Ganondorf, Giga Bowser and Mewtwo.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[]

File:Ganondorf SSB.png

Ganondorf in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Ganondorf returns in Super Smash Bros. Brawl with an upgraded design based on his appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. A handful of his move set is changed to make it less identical to Captain Falcon. He is unlockable by clearing Classic Mode on hard difficulty as Link or Zelda, or by playing 200 Vs. Matches. In his Final Smash, Ganondorf transforms into Ganon and lunges horizontally through the stage.

In the game's adventure mode "The Subspace Emissary", Ganondorf has been resurrected by Master Hand (though with only his warlock powers and no Triforce of Power) and serves as one of the secondary antagonists alongside Bowser commanding the Subspace Army whose goal is to bring the world into Subspace for their leader, Master Hand. However, Ganondorf's true intention is to betray Master Hand and seize his power for himself.

File:Modea17 080410c-l.jpg

Ganondorf and Bowser on top of the Gunship.

He leads a team of several villains such as Ridley, Rayquaza, Porky Minch, Petey Piranha, and Wario, in addition to Bowser, who acts as his second in command, he is also given command over the Subspace army and its commanders: Galleom and Duon. After commanding the R.O.B Squad to set off Subspace Bombs, Ganondorf orders them to betray the Ancient Minister, their former master who in return joins the heroes in his true form - R.O.B. Soon after Ganondorf and Bowser emerge from Subspace in a Massive Subspace Gunship, and engage in battle with the heroes, however, they fail and abandon the exploding ship and head back to Subspace.

Afterwards the two travel to Master Hand; however, Ganondorf betrays Bowser and turns him into a trophy with a Dark Cannon. Master Hand himself is seen to be controlled by Tabuu, the embodiment of Subspace. Ganondorf, surprised at this revelation and enraged that he had been manipulated the entire time, leaps to attack the dark being only to be turned into a trophy himself due to his lack of the Triforce of Power. However in the process he frees Master Hand from his chains and the latter attacks Tabuu only to knock him unconscious, the heroes then arrive to confront Tabuu only for him to turn them all into trophies as well. 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 characters prepare for the final battle against Tabuu. After the fighters are returned to normal all of them, including Ganondorf battle Tabuu, eventually defeating him and returning the world from Subspace.

While presumably non-canon these events would take place a short while after The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess in the "Child" timeline.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Super Smash Bros. for Wii U[]

File:SSB4 Ganondorf.png

Ganondorf in Super Smash Bros 4.

Ganondorf returns as a playable character in the video games Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. He retains his physical appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, which includes the hole on his chest, as well as maintaining moveset from Brawl. He even has a palette swap that resembles Yuga's colour scheme. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U marks the first time Ganondorf is available from the start. However, in Super Smash Bros. 3DS he is unlockable by clearing Classic Mode at difficulty 5.0 or higher as Link or Zelda, or playing 80 Vs. Matches.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[]

Ganondorf returns in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as an unlockable character. His physical appearance this time is based on his The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time look, who also transforms into the The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time version of Ganon as his Final Smash. Unlike the last game where he uses it in a custom move, Ganondorf now utilizes his sword based on the Super Smash Bros. Melee artwork as part of his smash attacks, making him a much more unique fighter.

Ganon also appears as a fightable boss in his The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time design. He is able to be fought in Link, Zelda, Toon Link, Young Link and Sephiroth’s Classic Mode campaigns and in "World of Light". Ganon takes next to no damage if the player attacks him from the front. Instead, they must attack Ganon's glowing tail which serves as a weak point.

Ganondorf also appears in the game as five spirits. As Ganon and a neutral primary, he can be obtained after defeating him in "World of Light" with the ability to increase the fighter's weight. Ganondorf from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess appears as an attack type primary with his spirit battle being a stamina battle against Ganondorf whose attack power increases when at high damage.

At level 99, he can be enhanced to become Beast Ganon with the ability to damage opponents by running into them. Calamity Ganon appears as an attack type primary, with its spirit battle being a stamina battle against a giant Ganondorf with Zelda as the player's ally. The player takes sudden damage after a little while and will automatically lose if Zelda is defeated. Under his appearance of Agahnim, Ganondorf appears as a primary shield type spirit with the ability to increase magic attacks. His spirit battle is against two male Robins on the Omega form of the Temple with increased magic power, favoring special moves, but are weak to reflected projectiles.

The Legend of Zelda: Ancient Stone Tablets[]

The BS exclusive The Legend of Zelda: Ancient Stone Tablets is a sequel to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past taking place six years after. After his defeat by Link in the previous game, Ganondorf's spirit survived and managed to call the Hero of Light to Hyrule, planning to steal his power. Finally after being resurrected as Ganon the two battle, with the Hero of Light defeating the demon king.

Nintendo Land[]

Ganondorf appears as Ganon as the final boss of The Legend of Zelda: Battle Quest attraction from Nintendo Land.

The Legend of Zelda CD-I[]

Main article: Ganon (CD-i)

Cadence of Hyrule[]

In The Legend of Zelda and Crypt of the Necrodancer crossover he appeared as the main antagonist.

In the The Legend of Zelda CD-I games, Ganon served as the main antagonist.

Manga[]

Main article: Ganondorf (Manga)

Comics[]

File:Ganondorf zelda comics.png

Ganondorf in the comic book series.

In the comic series, Ganondorf was resurrected after the events of The Legend of Zelda and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link while appearing in both his Ganondorf and Ganon forms.

Ganondorf's primary goal on the series is to reunite the Triforce in order to become supreme ruler of the Light World, including Hyrule. Also, despite previous defeats he managed to regain his forces and even gathered new generals such as the Shadow and Thunderbird. He is also semi-successful as he manages to capture both Link and Zelda multiple times.

TV series[]

Main article: Ganon (TV series)

Ganondorf as Ganon is the main antagonist of The Legend of Zelda TV series.

Captain N: The Game Master[]

Ganondorf appears again as Ganon in Captain N: The Game Master which takes place after the TV series. He is a major antagonist, more so than Mother Brain at one point.

April Fools[]

File:Ganon april fools attack.png

Ganon in the "April Fools" trailer.

Ganondorf appears as the main antagonist in an April Fools joke by Nintendo and IGN to trick people into thinking there was a The Legend of Zelda movie in which he was portrayed by Gregory Lee Kenyon. He fights Link with a flaming sword in the climax and has many minions such as Armogohma and King Dodongo.

Pre-rendered 3D movie[]

File:Ganondorf.png

Ganondorf in the pre-rendered 3D trailer for the unreleased film.

Ganondorf would've appeared as the main antagonist of the cancelled movie developed by the now defunct Imagi Animation Studios. In the only revealed scene, he sent his Shadow Knights to kidnap Zelda. After Link reveals himself and defeats three of them, Ganondorf himself appears, preparing for a showdown.

Powers and Abilities[]

Even without the Triforce, Ganondorf possesses enough skills to fight both Link and Zelda at the same time using twin blades or a single larger one. He also possessed magic, superhuman strength and control over monsters. Just before gaining the full Triforce he fought and killed all he did not trust at the same time and single-handedly defeated them. Several of these abilities were gifted to Ganondorf due to him formerly being Demise and retaining these powers from his past life.

With the Triforce of Power, he becomes godlike, invincible to all but the most powerful sacred weapons: the only things which can destroy his body being the Master Sword and Silver Arrows. Ganondorf is immortal and possesses the ability to fly, teleport, possess others, empower other beings, utilize powerful magic, create powerful monsters, and also possess superhuman traits: such as enhanced reflexes and unlimited strength. All of the powers utilized by Zant are through Ganondorf's power, meaning that Ganon also possesses the ability to rapid fire small blasts, grow to giant size and shrink to a miniature state, breathe underwater and create constructs.

Even when in danger, Ganondorf could tap into his true demonic powers, adding it to the power he already has, and with the Triforce of Power, becoming Ganon.

While possessing Zelda, he utilized the Triforce of Wisdom to create massive energy triangles to damage enemies, and while controlling Vaati, was also able to utilize wind magic.

In A Link to the Past, Link cannot hurt Agahnim directly, not even with Master Sword. Link must use his own magic attacks against him. When attacking, Agahnim hurls magic attacks at Link. The first one is a magic ball, which can be hit with Master Sword to reflect it and make it wound Agahnim. the second attack can also be hit with Master Sword, but it splits up in multiple fireballs flying through the room. The third attack is a lightning attack which Link can only avoid by standing at Agahnim's side. The lightning strike cannot be reflected. If Link strikes at Agahnim directly, he receives an electrical shock.

While he fights alone in Hyrule Castle, in Ganon's Tower, he creates clones of himself to confuse Link. This can actually work to Link's advantage, as the clones create magic balls that can be bounced back.

Quotes[]

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time[]

Arrrrgh! I lost her! You, over there! Little kid! You must have seen the white horse gallop past just now... Which way did it go!? Answer me!! (Link stays silent and steps away.) So, you think you can protect them from me... You've got guts, kid. (Link draws his sword and shield.) Heh heh heh... You want a piece of me!? Very funny! I like your attitude! (Ganondorf blasts Link away with his magic.) Pathetic little fool! Do you realize who you are dealing with!? I am Ganondorf! And soon, I will rule this world!
~ Ganondorf's first words after meeting Young Link.
Geh heh heh! Excellent work! As I thought, you held the keys to the Door of Time! You have led to the gates of the Sacred Realm... Yes, I owe all to you, kid!
~ Ganondorf thanking Link for letting him into the Sacred Realm.
Hey kid, you did quite well... It looks like you may be gaining some slight skill... But you have defeated only my phantom... When you fight the real me, it won't be easy! What a worthless creation that ghost was! I will banish it to the gap between dimensions!!
~ Ganondorf after Link defeats Phantom Ganon.
Princess Zelda... you foolish traitor! I commend you for avoiding my pursuit for seven long years. But you let your guard down... I knew you would appear if I let this kid wander around! My only mistake was to slightly underestimate the power of this kid... No... It was not the kid's power I misjudged, it was the power of the Triforce of Courage! But with the Triforce of Wisdom that Zelda has... When I obtain these two Triforces... Then, I will become the true ruler of the world!! If you want to rescue Zelda, come to my castle!
~ Ganondorf upon discovering and capturing Zelda.
The Triforce parts are resonating... They are combining into one again... The two Triforce parts that I could not capture on that day seven years ago... I didn't expect they would be hidden within you two! (evil chuckle) And now, finally, all the Triforce parts have gathered here! These toys are too much for you! I command you to return them to me!
~ Ganondorf before fighting Link.
The Great Evil King Ganondorf... beaten by this kid!? Link....!
~ Ganondorf upon being defeated by Link.
YOU... CURSE YOU... ZELDA! CURSE YOU... SAGES!! CURSE YOU... LINK! Someday... When this seal is broken.... That is when I will exterminate your descendants!! As long as the Triforce of Power is in my hand....
~ Ganondorf's last words after being sealed by Zelda and the Six Sages.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker[]

It's been a while, boy. You have done well to sneak into my fortress and wriggle you way all the way up here. I suppose the least I can do is commend you for your reckless courage. My name is Ganondorf... And I am the master of the Forsaken Fortress.
~ Ganondorf's first words as he introducing himself to Link.
By the way, boy... When you drew that sword of yours out of its pedestal... Did you notice how all of the monsters frozen in time down there suddenly began stirring again? Do you understand precisely what that means? ...I highly doubt you do. Foolish child. While that sword is indeed the blade of evil's bane, at the same time, it has long played another role... You see, it was also a sort of key... a most wretched key that has kept the seal on me and my magic intact! By withdrawing the blade, you have broken that seal...
~ Ganondorf revealing that by taking the Master Sword, Link had inadvertently restored him to full power.
You cannot defeat me with a blade that does not sparkle with the power to repel evil! What you hold is useless. Go back to the world below, and tell that to the pathetic fools who made this blade! Its power is gone, and its edges are dull!
~ Ganondorf after Link failed to hurt him with the Master Sword.
You pathetic little sea rat!
~ Ganondorf after grabbing Tetra.
My Triforce of Power is resonating! Ha! At long last, I have found you... Princess Zelda! (Tetra: Wh-What!? What are you talking about? I don't know any Zelda...) Feigning ignorance will gain you nothing! Tell me... If you are not Zelda, then why do you have this fragment of the Trifoce?
~ Ganondorf after realizing Tetra's true identity.
You have deceived yourself... Did you think you'd be safe inside the castle? Foolish... Now that my power has been restored, there is no safe haven for you! I have taken your precious Zelda. And here, you shall into eternal slumber!
~ Ganondorf revealing to Link that he has taken Zelda while she was alone in the castle.
Do you sleep still? (Link prepares to attack) Wait! Do not be so hasty, boy... I can see this girl's dreams... Oceans... Oceans... Oceans... Oceans... Oceans as far as the eye can see. They are vast seas... None can swim across them... They yield no fish to catch... What did the king of Hyrule say? ... That the gods sealed Hyrule away? And they left behind the people who would one day awaken Hyrule!? How ridiculous... So many pathetic creatures, scattered across a handful of islands, drifting on this sea like fallen leaves on a forgotten pool... What can they possibly hope to achieve? Don't you see? All of you... YOUR GODS DESTROYED YOU! I have been waiting for you, boy. For one like you... Yes... for the hero. Do not betray my expectations.
~ Ganondorf before transforming into Puppet Ganon before battling Link.
Yes, surely you are the Hero of Time, reborn... Your time has come... Come now... Stand before me!
~ Ganondorf after Link defeats Puppet Ganon.
My country lay within a vast desert. When the sun rose into the sky, a burning wind punished my lands, searing the world. And when the moon climbed to the dark of night, a frigid gale pierced our homes. No matter when it came, the wind carried the same thing... Death. But the winds that blew across the green fields of Hyrule brought something other than suffering and ruin. I coveted that wind, I suppose. It can only be called fate. ...That here, I would again gather the three with the crests. ...That I should lay my hand on that which grants the wishes of the beholder... That when power, wisdom and courage come together, the gods would have no choice but to come down... The power of the gods... The Triforce! He who touches it will have whatever he desires granted! Already, the crest of wisdom is mine... All that remains...
~ Ganondorf as Link confronts him atop his tower before knocking Link unconscious with his swiftly punch.
Do not fear. I will not kill you... I merely have need of the power that dwells within you. (picks up Link) Now! Let us put an end to which that binds us together!
~ Ganondorf after knocking Link unconscious.
Gods! Here that which I desire! Expose this land to the rays of the sun once more! Let them burn forth! GIVE HYRULE TO ME!!!
~ Ganondorf making his wish to the Triforce before being stopped by the King of Hyrule.
This is foolishness... A future... for you?
~ Ganondorf after the King of Hyrule makes his wish.
Very well, then... Allow me to show you... (brings out swords) Your future... Yes allow me to show you... Just what you hope to have... (turns around to face Link and Zelda) See how much your precious Triforce is worth!
~ Ganondorf before the final battle.
Ughnn... Heh heh... The wind... It is blowing...
~ Ganondorf's last words before turning into stone after Link defeated him.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess[]

I shall house my power in you... If there is anything you desire, then I shall desire it, too.
~ Ganondorf's first words as he makes Zant his agent.
Welcome to my castle.
~ Ganondorf upon meeting Link and Midna.
Your people have long amused me, Midna. To defy the gods with such petty magic, only to be cast aside... How very pathetic. Pathetic as they were, though, they served me well. Their anguish was my nourishment. Their hatred bled across the void and awakened me. I drew deep of it and grew strong again. Your people had some skill, to be sure... but they lacked true power. The kind of absolute power that those chosen by the gods wield. He who wields such power would make a suitable king for this world, don't you think? (Midna: Ha! Such conceit! But if you are one of the chosen wielders of power, as you claim... I will risk everything to deny you!) Shadow has been moved by light, it seems... How amusing. Very well... Deny me, then! Yes, try to deny me... You and your little friend...
~ Ganondorf mocking Midna's people and challenging her and Link to stop him.
Both of you, faithless fools who would dare to take up arms against the king of light and shadow... So you choose! And so you shall feel my wrath!
~ Ganondorf upon possessing Zelda.
An impressive-looking blade... But nothing more. Would you hear my desire? To take this foul blade... and use it to blot out the light forever!
~ Ganondorf before the final battle.
Do not think this ends here... The history of light and shadow will be written in blood!
~ Ganondorf's last words after Link defeated him.

Other Media[]

Doriyah!
~ Ganondorf's memetic kiai in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Trivia[]

  • His surname- Dragmire- was first used in the western manual of A Link to the Past. On the official Zelda website, his surname is indeed Dragmire.
  • Ganon in The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures is the only main antagonist in the series to not die as he ends up sealed inside the Four Swords while other incarnations in all timelines, Majora, Bellum, Malladus, Zant and Vaati did not survive their final battles (Ghirahim's fate is a subject of debate among fans, however).
  • Although his Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate appearances depicted him with a sword, either in his artwork or his arsenal, Ganondorf was never actually seen wielding one at any point in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time with the exception of the dual swords he wielded as Ganon. The sword that he used was based on the blade he used in the Space World 2000 Demo.
    • Also, the only time he used a sword before Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was where he performed the Warlock Blade custom Standard Special attack from Super Smash Bros. for 3DS/Super Smash Bros. for Wii U in place of his Warlock Punch.
    • Ganondorf's forward smash attack is so powerful, it can KO opponents at low percentages. Due to it's strength, his battle cry "Soriyah!" often interpreted as "Doriyah!", has become a famous internet meme.
  • Artwork of Ganon from the first Legend of Zelda had Ganon with a trident, however he wouldn't use a trident before A Link to The Past.
  • Ganondorf made guest appearances on the Internet show DEATH BATTLE fighting against Bowser and winning and then against Dracula but losing.
  • Several traits of Agahnim, including his signature theme and his infiltration of the Hylian Royal Family, would be incorporated into Ganondorf's character in Ocarina of Time.
  • Although he is an extension of Ganon, all comic adaptations of A Link to the Past present Agahnim as an independent character.
  • In the first battle against Agahnim, Link must play Dead Man's Volley with the boss as he cannot attack Agahnim directly. This becomes a recurring battle strategy throughout the series, particularly with another one of Ganon's copies, Phantom Ganon. Ocarina of Time's Ganondorf himself plays Dead Man's Volley with Link at Ganon's Castle.

External Links[]

Navigation[]

           Legend of Zelda logo Villains

The Demon King's Army
Leadership
Demise | Ghirahim | Ganondorf/Ganon (Shadow Era | Era of the Wilds) | Twinrova | Zant | King Bulblin | Yuga | Princess Hilda | Astor
Minions & Monsters
Blins | Lizalfos | Gohmas | Gerudo Tribe | River Zoras | Chain Chomps | Lynels | Gleeoks | Cheep Cheeps | Pokeys | Spinies | Scaldera | Koloktos | LD-002S Scervo | Tentalus | Bilocyte | Queen Gohma | King Dodongo | Barinade | Phantom Ganon | Dead Hand | Volvagia | Dark Link | Morpha | Bongo Bongo | Moldorm | General Onox | Facade | Veran | Helmaroc King | Kalle Demos | Jalhalla | Molgera | Lord Bullbo | Vaati | Shadow Link | Yiga Clan (Master Kohga | Sooga | Yiga Zonai Construct) | Blight Ganons | Hollows | Colgera | Moragia | Marbled Gohma | Sludge Like | Mucktorok | Queen Gibdo | Seized Construct

Palace Guardians
Barba | Thunderbird | Link's Shadow

Koholint Island
Nightmares (DethI | Moldorm | Genie | Slime Eye | Angler Fish | Slime Eel | Facade | Grim Creeper and Evil Eagle | Hot Head) | Shadow Link | Moblins (Moblin Chief) | Gohmas | River Zoras | Goombas | Boos | Piranha Plants | Mask-Mimics | Cheep Cheeps | Bloopers | Pokeys | Spinies

Termina
Majora | Skull Kid | Odolwa | Goht | Gyorg | Twinmold | Sakon | Gorman Brothers | "Them" | Dynalfos | Gerudo Pirates (Aveil) | Igos du Ikana | King's Lackeys | Garo (Garo Master) | Gomess

World of the Ocean King
Bellum | Phantoms | Blaaz | Cyclok | Crayk | Cubus Sisters | Jolene | Gleeok | Miniblins

New Hyrule
Malladus | Chancellor Cole | Byrne | Phantoms | Blins | Dark Link

Hytopia
Lady Maud | Moldorm | Shadow Links | Moblins | Aeralfos

Other Minor enemies
Bob-ombs | Lakitus

Other Major Foes
The Magician | The Interlopers

Hyrule Warriors
Ganondorf's Forces (Ganondorf | Zant | Ghirahim) | Dark Forces (Cia | Wizzro | Volga | Lizalfos | Blins)

Cadence of Hyrule
Ganon | Octavo | Shadow Link | Shadow Zelda | Bass Guitarmos Knights | Gleeockenspeil | Gohmaracas | Wizzroboe | King Dobongo | Synthrova | The Necrodancer | Blins | River Zoras | Lynels | Daira

Manga
Ganon (Ocarina of Time | A Link to the Past) | Agahnim (Ataru Cagiva | Shotaro Ishinomori | Akira Himekawa) | Kholdstone | Bellum | Onox

Ganon's Army (CD-I)
Ganon | Gibdo | Iron Knuckle | Three Witches | Wizzrobe | Hektan | Omfak | Goronu | Harlequin | Militron | Glutko | Lupay | Duke Onkled

            Super Smash Bros logo Villains

Playable Characters
Bowser | Bowser Jr. | Dark Pit | Dark Samus | Donkey Kong | Enderman | Ganondorf | Incineroar | Kazuya Mishima | King Dedede | King K. Rool | Koopalings (Larry, Roy, Wendy, Iggy, Morton, Lemmy, Ludwig) | Mario | Meta Knight | Mewtwo | Piranha Plant | Ridley | R.O.B. | Sephiroth | Wario | Wolf O'Donnell | Zombie

Subspace Army
Ancient Minister | Bowser | Bullet Bills | Duon | False Bowser | False Diddy Kong | False Peach | False Samus | False Zelda | Galleom | Ganondorf | Goombas | Hammer Bros. | King Statue | Koopa Troopas | Master Hand | Petey Piranha | Primids | Rayquaza | Ridley | Porky Minch | Shadow Bugs | Tabuu | Wario

World of Light
Crazy Hand | Dharkon | Dracula | Galeem | Galleom | Ganon | Giga Bowser | Master Hand | Marx

Bosses
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Assists Trophies/Poké Ball Pokémon/Miscellaneous Items
Andross | Arceus | Black Knight | Bob-ombs | Boss Galaga | Bullet Bills | Burrowing Snagrets | Chain Chomps | Chef Kawasaki | Darkrai | Deoxys | Devil | Dr. Wily | Entei | Elec Man | Ghirahim | Giratina | Ghosts | Gray Fox | Hammer Bros. | Klaptrap | Knuckle Joes | Kyurem | Lakitu | Lord Nightmare | Metroid | Meowth | Mimikyu | Mother Brain | Palkia | Phosphora | Shadow the Hedgehog | Skull Kid | Spinies | Starman | Unira | Unown | Waluigi

Trophies/Spirits/Stickers
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Miscellaneous
Billy Kane | Chang Koehan | Choi Bounge | Dr. Coyle | Dragonborn | Organization XIII (Master Xehanort, Xemnas, Ansem, Vanitas) | Ryuji Yamazaki | Saïx | Solon | Spiders | Springtron | Team Rocket Grunts | Yiga Foot Soldiers

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