Ubisoft Milan pitched ambitious Zelda spin-off starring Ganondorf, but Nintendo rejected the prototype
The Mario + Rabbids team developed a pitch for Project Goliath in 2022, a Legend of Zelda game originally featuring a new protagonist. Nintendo liked the concept but asked them to replace it with Ganondorf instead. The prototype was rejected in November
Ubisoft Milan, the studio behind Mario + Rabbids, came close to creating a Legend of Zelda spin-off but the project was cancelled before completion. According to Insider Gaming, the team began working on the pitch in 2022, shortly after Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope launched.
The project, codenamed Project Goliath, was developed over the winter of 2022-2023. Mario + Rabbids co-creator Davide Soliani led the effort. Ubisoft Milan initially designed the game to star an original character as its protagonist. Nintendo responded positively to the concept but requested the team replace their character with Ganondorf, Link's longtime antagonist.
Development continued under this direction, but Nintendo rejected Ubisoft Milan's prototype in November 2023. The reasons for the rejection remain unclear. After the cancellation, discussions between the companies about other Nintendo IP projects, including potential Star Fox and Mario spin-offs, reportedly broke down between late 2023 and early 2024.
Team members were dispersed to other projects within Ubisoft. Davide Soliani left the publisher to establish his own studio, Day 4 Night. Ubisoft Milan subsequently began collaborating with Ubisoft Montpellier on Rayman Legends Untold.
Sources
- EurogamerEstablished publication · recorded Sep 26, 2026Ubisoft's Mario + Rabbids team reportedly came close to making an "ambitious" Zelda game starring Ganondorf, but it wasn't to be
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