Ganon

Ganon
The Legend of Zelda series character
File:Ganon.jpg
First game	The Legend of Zelda (1987)
Created by	Shigeru Miyamoto

Ganon (ガノン), also known as Ganondorf (ガノンドロフ, Ganondorofu) in his human form, 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.

Character depiction

Ganon's history is ambiguous and nothing can be said for certain about his past. Regardless, the various games depict him as a powerful villain with a thirst for power. Ganon's character has been gradually expanded upon throughout the games. Earlier games such as A Link to the Past characterized him simply as a ruthless antagonist figure, whereas later on, The Wind Waker portrayed a somewhat more sympathetic but equally fearsome character.

More recent depictions, such as in Twilight Princess stick to the formula following on from Ocarina of Time's megalomaniacal warlord depiction. Others, such as The Adventure of Link and Oracle of Ages/Seasons depict him as an ancient evil from the past whose loyal followers seek to resurrect. Still, other games such as Four Swords Adventures present the idea that their incarnation of Ganondorf may be entirely separate from previous ones, (not unlike Link) until an in-game event reclassifies him as an "ancient demon reborn".

"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. Additionally, some games offer him titles such as the "King of Evil" and the "Prince of Darkness".

Game appearances and biography

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.

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.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

File:Z3ganon.gif

Ganon, seen here in A Link to the Past.

In A Link to the Past, it is said that once Ganon 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 this land and uses the Triforce to transform them into monsters for his army. His army attacks the land of Hyrule until the knights and the seven sages combine their power and seal Ganon and his army in his corrupt world.

Using the form of Agahnim, back in Hyrule, he overthrows the King and transports the maidens (descendants of the Sages) to resumes in the Pyramid of Power, where with Silver Arrows and the Master Sword Link is able to best Ganon and use the Triforce to restore Hyrule and resurrect those Ganon killed.

The seal on the Dark World is strengthened.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

File:Ganondorf.jpg

Ganondorf, seen here in 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 mothers, 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 kills the King and chases Impa and Princess Zelda into hiding.

Noting that Link had attained the Sacred Stones for himself, Ganon uses this opportunity to seize the Triforce, but 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, usurp the throne.

By the time seven years had passed, he had placed monsters in the Sages' temples to prevent them from hearing their "awakening call", but as Link awakens them one by one, Ganondorf captures the final sage - Princess Zelda, forcing Link into a direct confrontation. Link battles Ganondorf with Light Arrows and the Master Sword. When Ganondorf is defeated, he destroys his tower, and transforms into the pig-like form seen in earlier games. Zelda assists Link in holding Ganon still while he finishes him off. Finally, the Seven Sages imprison Ganondorf in the Sacred Realm.

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.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

File:Ganon ww.jpg

An elderly Ganondorf, seen here in The Wind Waker.

Ganon 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. Ganon then kidnaps Aryll and eventually Princess Zelda to lure Link to him in order to steal their respective Triforce pieces and resurrect Hyrule. The King comes in and takes hold of the Triforce instead, wishing for "hope". This prompts Ganondorf to attack Link, starting a battle on top of Ganon's Tower. Link and Princess Zelda are able to defeat Ganondorf by impaling his head, despite his impressive sword skills, turning him to stone while what is left of Hyrule floods over.

This version of Ganondorf looks rather elderly, and has a flowing black robe instead of black armor. Surprisingly he does not use any magical skills or powers during battle, but he is a very accomplished swordsman, wielding twin samurai-like blades, and is also shown to be very strong for his age.

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.

File:Ganontp2.jpg

Ganondorf in Twilight Princess

The Legend of Zelda: 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 forms.

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.

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.

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.

It is currently unknown whether or not Ganondorf will return in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

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.

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. Template:Endspoilers