Ganondorf

"Pathetic little fool! Do you realize who you're dealing with? I am Ganondorf, and soon I will rule the world!"

Article by: Paul Watkins (watkinzez)
Pictured from: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Created by: Nintendo
First appearance: 1998

Bio

In the Legend of Zelda series, Ganondorf is known as the leader of the Gerudo people, the King of Thieves, and the human incarnation of what later becomes Ganon, the King of Evil from the early Zelda titles. Above all Ganondorf desires the Triforce, the sacred object of legend, and with it to rule over the land of Hyrule. His thirst for strength begets his tendency toward the Triforce of Power, leaving the Triforce of Wisdom and the Triforce of Courage to Princess Zelda and the hero Link, respectively.

Ganondorf's musclebound appearance belies the fact that his main power lies in his magical skills. His main mode of attack is throwing destructive balls of light that Link must deflect with his sword. Though Ganondorf appears with a sword originally, he does not use it prior to The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and the fighting game Super Smash Bros. Melee.

The King of Evil's backstory was first discussed in the 1998 title The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which is the first part of the series's story. Originating in the desert in the west of Hyrule, he proposes an alliance between the Gerudo race and the Hylian King. A young Zelda and Link realize his intentions are not what they seem to be, and the two children embark on a quest to protect the Triforce from him. However, Ganondorf manages to claim it for himself, and he takes over Hyrule. In the end his form is mutated through the power of the Triforce, and he becomes Ganon.

Ganondorf's appearance in The Wind Waker depicts an older man returned from the Sacred Realm many years later. His attacks are less magical and more brutish, and the story provides a different perspective on his character.

Selected game appearances

Nintendo 64

• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)

GameCube

• Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001)
• The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2003)

Wii

• The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006)
• Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008)

References

• Wikipedia - "Ganon"
• Super Smash Bros. Melee trophy section
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time instruction manual