Ganon

"These toys are too much for you! I command you to return them to me!"

— Ganondorf

Ganon, also known as Ganondorf, is the main antagonist of The Legend of Zelda series. He has been present or at least referred to in each of the first five games in the series, and has subsequently been in three more after. Throughout the series, Ganon has had several deaths, both confirmed, like in The Legend of Zelda, and unconfirmed, as in Twilight Princess. Ganon possesses the Triforce of Power, which contains the essence of the Goddess, Din. This divine power makes Ganon unimaginably strong and grants him boundless power, making him the largest threat to Hyrule in all its history. As stated in the prophecy of Hyrule, the only one capable of defeating Ganon is the Hero chosen by the Goddesses.

Backstory

Throughout the games, Ganon's intentions haven't changed. Taking the Triforce of Power or earning it and spreading darkness over Hyrule, and he often kidnaps Zelda in the process. Only his appearance has changed. He is a blue pig-monster in The Legend of Zelda, while in Ocarina of Time, he's the King of the Gerudo and has a power to turn into a giant, green monster. Ganondorf is the human/gerudo version while Ganon is the abomination, beast or demon version of Ganondorf. In Ocarina of Time, he was the only Gerudo men born in that current century, automatically making him their king.

Name Issue

The Prince of Darkness has two "n"s in his name in the original The Legend of Zelda, making his name G-A-N-N-O-N. However, in all other games he is known as G-A-N-O-N (one "n"). Newer fans have used the single "n" form as the canon one, but older fans whom first played The Legend of Zelda back in the day still spell it "Gannon".

Characteristics

Ganondorf has gone from a cold, heartless individual to a sad individual and back again. In older games he seems to be bent only on controlling Hyrule, but in The Wind Waker, players saw a different side of Ganondorf Dragmire, where he was yearning for Hyrule back. Mostly, though, he seems only bent on evil things.

In-Game Appearances

The Legend of Zelda

In The Legend of Zelda, Ganondorf was only in his pig form, Ganon. The intro of the game tells of how Ganon stole the Triforce of Power, and was rumored to be after the Triforce of Wisdom too. Before he could steal that one too, Zelda broke the Triforce of Wisdom into eight pieces and hide them inside underground labyrinths (dungeons). She then send Impa, her nursemaid, searching for a hero to collect all eight pieces and destroy Ganon. Impa comes across Link, and asks him to take this quest. This begins the game.

Once Link has obtained all eight pieces, he can travel to Death Mountain and confront Ganon. Using his Sword and the Silver Arrow, Link can kill Ganon once and for all.

The Adventure of Link

File:Zelda 2 game over.jpg

Ganon does not appear in The Adventure of Link as the villain or as a character. He will only appear if the player gets a game-over, at which point a silhouette of a figure very similarly to Ganon. Also, according to the backstory for the game, Ganon's minions are out to retrieve Link's blood to pour onto his ashes in order to revive their master, so Link dying causing the revival of Ganon would make sense.

A Link to the Past

Prior to the start of the game's events, Ganondorf Dragmire enters the Sacred Realm, obtaining the Triforce. Desiring its full benefits for himself, he murders his accomplices. Upon touching the Triforce, he is transformed into a boar-like demon dubbed Ganon. The Sacred Realm also assumes the guise of the Dark World. Endeavoring to preserve the balance of peace, the Knights of Hyrule and the Seven Wise Men lock Ganon in the Dark World.

Some years later, the demon is able to leave the Dark World disguised as the wizard Agahnim. In a clever twist of fate, Agahnim wins over the trust of the King of Hyrule and assumes the reigns of power himself. He seals the Seven Maidens in the Dark World but one eludes him, Zelda, whom Link rescues from the Sanctuary. During Link's quest to obtain the Master Sword, however, Zelda is left unguarded and is captured by Agahnim and subsequently sealed in the Dark World.

After defeating Agahnim in the Dark World, a bat arises from the defeated wizard's body and flies to the Pyramid of Power. It is revealed that the bat is indeed Ganon and Link must face the boar-like demon in a final battle. Link's Master Sword and Silver Arrows triumph over Ganon's complete Triforce and Trident of Power.

Link's Awakening

Ganon's shadow appears as one of the final nightmare's forms in Link's Awakening.

He can summon bats like in A Link to the Past and must be dashed into numerous times to defeat.

Ocarina of Time

Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time

Ocarina of Time is the first game in which Ganon's human form appears. Named Ganondorf, his picture is shown to the right. He came from the Gerudo supposedly swearing allegiance to the King of Hyrule. Of course he had other intentions. Ganon stormed Hyrule Castle forcing Princess Zelda to flee. He then tried to take the Triforce for himself, but it split into three pieces leaving him with only the Triforce of Power, with which he could take over Hyrule but not completely fulfill his evil intentions. At the end of the game Link confronts Ganondorf defeating him, then defeating Ganon (Ganondorf's pig form). He was then banished to the Evil Realm.

Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons

After completing his adventures in both Labrynna and Holodrum, Link finds out that the cause of Veran and Onox's mischief was the result of a bigger plan devised by the witches Koume and Kotake; A plan to resurrect the evil king Ganon. The actions of Veran and Onox caused the Flames of Sorrow and the Flame of Destruction to be lit. In an attempt to light the third and final flame for their ritual, Twinrova kidnaps Princess Zelda herself to be used as a sacrifice. Although Link is able to defeat Twinrova and save Zelda from the ritual, he cannot stop the resurrection of Ganon, as Twinrova ends up sacrificing their own body as a vessel for the evil king.

The resulting incarnation of Ganon lacks much intelligent thought, though he does show knowledge of who he is. Still, Ganon proves to be the toughest obstacle that Link will have to overcome if he is to restore peace to the world and take his destined place in hisory as the Legendary Hero.

Through a linked game, the player can go to a secret altar where they will fight Ganon. For the battle, Ganon will constantly be disappearing and reappearing. Sometimes he will appear and slash at you with his trident. He also has several variations on an orb attack: sometimes he will shoot three larger orbs, one large orb, or many smaller orbs. All his attacks including his trident slash can be avoided by jumping with the Roc's cape. Sometimes he also charges up for a jump which will stun you for a moment. Again, you can avoid this by jumping before he lands. To fight him, you must charge up a spin attack when he isn't on the screen. When he appears, move next to him and hit him with the spin attack. When he begins to become low on health, he will change the room briefly to a strange blue room and back again. When the blue room is in effect, controls are reversed (if you press left, you will go right, etc) so you have to be careful. After many spin attacks, Ganon will be defeated and you will have beaten the game.

The Wind Waker

Ganondorf's Appearance in The Wind Waker

As mentioned above in his characteristics, Ganon had a slightly different personality in The Wind Waker. He first appears near the beginning of the game where he ordered Link thrown into the Great Sea. He then appears again near the middle of the game, where Link thinks he can kill Ganondorf with the master sword, only to be nearly killed himself if it weren't for Valoo. He doesn't appear in person again until the end of the game when Link and him have a sword duel in drowning Hyrule, ending with him being turned to stone.

Ganondorf
	Base of Operations: Ganon's Castle Effective Weapons: Light Arrows, Master Sword The possessor of the Triforce of Power, Ganondorf controls many fell beasts. It is useless for Link to try to face him alone. He must look for an ally who can aid him in battle.

Twilight Princess

Ganondorf being banished to the Twilight Realm in Twilight Princess

Beast Ganon

Considered by many to be a cameo appearance, Ganondorf didn't physically appear until the end of Twilight Princess. According to the Ancient Sages (although one of them was killed by him), he was imprisoned in the Twilight Realm after they had failed to execute him. Ganondorf controlled Zant to do his bidding and then when Zant failed at his task, he took matters into his own hands. He waited in Hyrule Castle for Link, then a long four-part battle ensued, with Ganondorf being stabbed in the middle of his chest with the Master Sword. It is unconfirmed if he died or not.

Phantom Hourglass

Although Ganondorf does not make an appearance, he is mentioned in the prologue, which is a summary of The Wind Waker's events.

Skyward Sword

Ganon is not mentioned directly in this game, but is implied of his coming by Demise right before his death. Demise states that hatred for the Gods and Goddesses like his is so strong that it can never be vanquished for good, and a reincarnation of himself will be born into the world again someday.

Battle Quest

In The Legend of Zelda: Battle Quest, Ganon serves as the final boss in the main quest, located within the 9th level, Raid on Ganon's Castle. Ganon later appears in the 12th level, which is also the 3rd secret level, Death Mountain Path. In this level, Ganon takes a more armored visual look and can withstand more damage.

"This evil lord supposedly possesses the Triforce. Just when you expect him to attack from afar...SURPRISE! He's right beside you. Which isn't nice at all."

— Battle Quest in-game description.

Super Smash Bros.

Ganondorf also appears in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. He is a secret character in both games. In order to unlock him in Super Smash Bros Melee, the player will have to clear Match Event #29. There are three ways to unlock Ganondorf in Super Smash Bros Brawl:

• Play 200 matches in Brawl, and then beat Ganondorf in a fight
• Get Ganondorf to join the party in The Subspace Emissary
• Beat Classic mode on Normal difficulty with Zelda or on Hard difficulty with Link, and then beat Ganondorf in a fight.

Ganon's appearance in the animated series

CD-I

Ganon appears in two anti-climatic boss battles where he states that Link may not bring light to his lair and that Link must join him and make his face the greatest in Koradai; or else Link will die.

Animated Series

Ganon appeared in The Legend of Zelda Animated Series as the main antagonist. His goal was to obtain the Triforce of Wisdom in order to take over Hyrule.

Trivia

• Ganon's last name is "Dragmire", according to the manual of A Link to the Past
• In The Legend of Zelda, Ganon's name was spelled G-A-N-N-O-N. In every game since, it has been changed to G-A-N-O-N, only using one "N".

Gallery

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  Artwork of Link and Ganon from The Legend of Zelda

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  Artwork of Link and Ganon from The Legend of Zelda

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  Artwork of Ganon from The Legend of Zelda

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  Artwork of Ganon from The Legend of Zelda

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  Ganon in his Bat form from A Link to the Past.

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  Ganon from A Link to the Past.

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  Ganon from A Link to the Past.

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  Japanese Info A Link to the Past

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  Ganon Artwork from A Link to the Past.

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  Artwork of Ganondorf and Link fighting from Ocarina of Time

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  Artwork of Ganondorf and Link from Ocarina of Time

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  Artwork from Ocarina of Time

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  Ganon with the Triforce of Power from Ocarina of Time.

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  Sprite of Ganon from Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages

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  Ganon in Four Swords

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  Artwork of Link and Ganondorf from The Wind Waker

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  Artwork of Ganondorf from The Wind Waker

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  Ganon Featured in Stain Glass in The Wind Waker

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  Ganondorf in Twilight Princess

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  Ganon in Twilight Princess