Following the success of *Mario + Rabbids*, the studio reportedly pitched a prototype. However, the Japanese industry giant rejected the ambitious project.
Ubisoft reportedly wanted to develop a new Zelda game. The pitch allegedly included a completely new universe with a totally different protagonist.
According to Insider Gaming, the project was referred to internally as “Goliath,” which was meant to reflect the title’s ambitions.
Former Ubisoft developer Gian Marco Zanna even described the project as a “new Big Bang in the video game universe,” as it was intended to feature a previously unexplored character in the lead role.
Ganondorf as the Main Character: Nintendo’s Desire for the Series’ Villain
However, Nintendo ultimately wasn’t happy with this idea, as the report states that they requested a change in the protagonist during the early concept phase. Instead, Ganondorf was to take the lead. It would have been the first time he played a central role as a playable protagonist in a Zelda game.
However, it never progressed beyond the concept stage. According to the report, Nintendo gave Ubisoft Milan until the end of 2023 to deliver a prototype. The development studio did so, but the Japanese industry giant rejected the idea—the reasons remain unclear.
After Mario + Rabbids: The End of the Next Nintendo Collaboration
It wouldn’t have been the first collaboration between Nintendo and Ubisoft Milan, as the development team is responsible for the two Mario + Rabbids spin-offs. The success reportedly prompted the studio to consider further joint projects, which then led to this idea.
No further details are available regarding the scrapped idea. It therefore remains unclear what the story would have been about.
