The Legend of Zelda franchise has given fans plenty to play in recent years, from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom to Echoes of Wisdom. But according to a new report, one of the most intriguing Zelda projects never made it out of the gate — a spin-off starring the series’ most iconic villain, developed not by Nintendo, but by Ubisoft.
The Canceled Zelda Spin-Off Codenamed ‘Goliath’
On September 24, Insider Gaming reported that Ubisoft Milan had been quietly working on a Zelda spin-off carrying the internal name “Goliath.” What made the project truly remarkable was its premise: rather than following Link or Princess Zelda, the game was set to star Ganondorf himself — the Gerudo king who has served as the franchise’s antagonist since the very first Ocarina of Time era.
According to the report, the game was in early development at the Italian studio, and details remain scarce about how far the project actually progressed before it was shelved. Neither Nintendo nor Ubisoft has officially commented on the claim, so it’s worth treating this as a rumor for now — though Insider Gaming has developed a solid track record with leaks of this kind.
A Villain Finally in the Spotlight
If true, “Goliath” would have represented a major departure for the Zelda series. While spin-offs like Hyrule Warriors have allowed players to briefly control Ganondorf as part of a large roster, a full game built around the villain as the central protagonist would have been unprecedented. It’s the kind of creative swing that Nintendo has historically been hesitant to take with its most precious franchises — which may explain why the project allegedly never got past the early stages.
Why Nintendo May Have Pulled the Plug
While the exact reasons for the cancellation remain unknown, context offers some clues. Ubisoft has spent the past couple of years weathering significant financial turbulence, canceling multiple projects and restructuring studios to cut costs. A ambitious licensed title may simply no longer have fit into the publisher’s leaner roadmap.
On Nintendo’s side, the company remains famously protective of its intellectual property. Even successful collaborations are approached with extreme caution, and a game starring the franchise’s signature villain — one whose portrayal would need to align with Nintendo’s long-term creative vision — carries far more risk than a lighthearted crossover.
A Strong Track Record Between the Two Companies
The pairing wasn’t as strange as it might sound. Ubisoft Milan was the lead studio behind Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle and its sequel Sparks of Hope, two well-received tactical games built entirely around Nintendo characters. That partnership proved Ubisoft could handle Nintendo’s IP with care, which likely paved the way for the Zelda experiment in the first place.
What This Means for Zelda Fans
Although “Goliath” appears to be dead, the appetite for villain-led and character-driven Zelda stories is clearly growing. With The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom finally putting Princess Zelda herself in the playable role, Nintendo is showing more willingness than ever to expand the series beyond Link’s adventures. A future where Ganondorf gets his own spotlight isn’t impossible — it just won’t happen with Ubisoft holding the controller.
In the meantime, there’s never been a better time to explore the Zelda back catalog on Nintendo Switch. If you’re looking to stock up, you can find Nintendo eShop gift cards and game codes at TURGAME.com at competitive prices, making it easy to dive into Hyrule whenever the mood strikes.
Source: GameSpot