10 Things Even Zelda Fans Didn’t Know About Ganondorf

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In simpler terms, Ganondorf is a notorious antagonist commonly found in the popular video game series, The Legend of Zelda, produced by Nintendo. He’s often compared to Bowser as one of the most iconic recurring villains across all video games. Despite being well-known among gamers, there are still aspects about Ganondorf (also known as the Demon King) that aren’t widely understood due to the complex and sometimes contradictory lore within The Legend of Zelda universe. However, there is a wealth of information available about this character.

10. He’s not the only Demise incarnation

In the game “Skyward Sword”, the main antagonist was a powerful entity named Demise. Demise revealed that a curse had been cast on Hyrule, causing some form of his malevolence to resurface repeatedly. This explains why Ganondorf continues to return even after death and in various forms. Although it is commonly believed that Ganondorf is the only incarnation of Demise, this is not entirely true. Demise himself speaks of multiple incarnations of his hatred, suggesting that there are more than one. While Ganondorf undoubtedly serves as the primary incarnation, he is by no means the sole manifestation of this evil force.

9. Ganondorf was gone for a very long time

In 2006’s “The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess,” Ganondorf, who had been hidden as the main antagonist, was manipulating Zant to escape from the Twilight Realm. The climactic battle was between Link and Ganondorf, after which an unexpected absence followed for Ganondorf, lasting until 2023’s “Tears of the Kingdom.” During this period, Calamity Ganon served as a distinct enemy in “Breath of the Wild,” while games like “Skyward Sword” and “A Link Between Worlds” featured different final bosses, since Ganondorf was not present.

8. Ganondorf creates his own theme

In the world of “The Legend of Zelda,” various characters have unique musical pieces associated with them. Link is known for playing songs on the Ocarina, while Princess Zelda also has her own tunes. Few characters play their own themes, but Ganondorf is an exception. In “Ocarina of Time,” he plays his theme on an organ as he awaits Link for their final showdown. This pattern continues in “Twilight Princess” where, as you progress through Hyrule Castle, the music changes to Ganondorf playing once more. Characters like Midna, Ghirahim, and Yuga also have unique themes, but they tend to hum them rather than play instruments. However, it’s only Ganondorf who plays his theme on an instrument.

7. He was supposed to appear in the Oracle games

In many games of this particular franchise, Ganondorf is a common character, but exceptions include the titles “Oracle of Seasons” and “Oracle of Ages.” Instead of featuring Ganondorf, these games introduce villains like Onox and Veran, who are less frequently seen in other games. Interestingly, it was initially planned for Ganondorf to appear in these games, with a unique design intended for his phantom form; however, he didn’t end up being included in the final versions of the games. This is rumored to be the intended appearance of his ghostly version.

6. Ganondorf originally had Demise’s infamous speech

In simpler terms, the speech given by Demise following his defeat by Link in the game Skyward Sword is memorable due to several factors, one of the main reasons being it provides an explanation as to why Ganondorf, Zelda, and Link have been involved in recurring conflicts that seem to span across different periods and perhaps even dimensions. Initially, this speech was delivered by Ganondorf in Twilight Princess, where he consoled Link and Zelda post-defeat, stating that their lineages were destined by the gods to engage in endless battles, and that their conflict was far from over. This speech was later altered and revised for Demise’s character.

5. He might not be purely evil

According to a wealth of information gathered across most games in the series, Ganondorf is undeniably malevolent, often appearing due to his intense hatred towards Link and Zelda. However, contrary to popular belief, Ocarina of Time script director Toru Osawa suggests that there may be aspects of Ganondorf’s character reminiscent of Raoh from Fist of the North Star, hinting at possible virtues within his otherwise evil persona.

4. Ganondorf transforms into Ganon in all but two appearances

In The Legend of Zelda series, multi-phase battles against boss characters like Ganondorf are quite common for Link. During these encounters, Link often needs to endure various stages and transformations by Ganondorf. With a few exceptions, Ganondorf can morph into Ganon in every battle, but this doesn’t happen in The Wind Waker or Tears of the Kingdom. In Tears of the Kingdom, there is a transformation, but it results in him becoming the Demon Dragon instead of his true form, Ganon.

3. He’s unbelievably tall

In the world of The Legend of Zelda, many characters, including most Hylians, are noticeably short. However, Ganondorf stands out as being unusually tall, with heights that may astonish you. While official sources such as Hyrule Historia suggest he is around 7 feet and 7 inches tall, various games depict him even taller than that. In both Ocarina of Time and Tears of the Kingdom, Ganondorf looms over Link and other characters to an impressive extent. Interestingly, a First 4 Figures figurine based on his Twilight Princess appearance stands at 23 inches tall, intended to represent him in a smaller-scale version.

2. He has one weird weakness in Tears of the Kingdom

In the latest game, “Tears of the Kingdom,” Ganondorf was featured as the final boss and surprisingly had a peculiar vulnerability. Normally, Link defeats Ganondorf using the Master Sword due to its strong striking power. However, an unexpected find is that the Gibdo Claymore, combined with specific equipment, inflicts the greatest damage on Ganondorf. It can deal 178 damage to him, making quick work of his powerful second phase with just a few hits. The sword may break easily, but it’s quite formidable against the Demon King.

1. His size comes from his Gerudo heritage

In the Zelda game universe, Ganondorf stands out as the solitary male among the Gerudo tribe. According to legend, he’s destined to rule this tribe, which explains his towering size and immense strength. It’s worth noting that females in the Gerudo tribe are larger than typical women in Hyrule, so it follows that Ganondorf would be stronger than average male characters like Hylian warriors. His power doesn’t stem from the Tri Force of Power; rather, he naturally possesses a potent strength derived from his Gerudo lineage.

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2025-09-06 01:14