Ubisoft Milan, the studio behind Mario + Rabbids, reportedly explored a major The Legend of Zelda spin-off that would have placed Ganondorf in the lead role.
According to an exclusive report from Insider Gaming report, the project was internally known as Goliath and emerged from discussions between Nintendo and Ubisoft Milan following Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope.
The concept reportedly did not initially feature Ganondorf. Ubisoft Milan first pitched Nintendo on a Zelda spin-off starring an entirely new protagonist. Nintendo was reportedly interested in the idea but asked the team to change its central character to Ganondorf, giving the long-running Zelda antagonist a much more prominent role.
The project was eventually rejected before it could move into full production.
Project Goliath Reached the Prototype Stage
Insider Gaming reports that Mario + Rabbids creative director Davide Soliani and a small team began developing the concept after the two companies continued discussing another collaboration.
By early 2023, the team reportedly had what it considered its “perfect pitch.” The project was intended as a new Zelda spin-off rather than a direct sequel or prequel to an existing game.
Ubisoft Milan then had until around the end of 2023 to produce a compelling prototype that could pass another internal approval stage. The team reportedly reached that milestone, but Nintendo rejected the prototype in late November 2023.
The reason for Nintendo’s decision has not been revealed. Neither Nintendo nor Ubisoft has publicly announced or confirmed Goliath, so details about its gameplay, story, platforms and specific mechanics remain unknown.
The report is based on more than 18 months of reporting by Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson for a forthcoming book about canceled games. The publication also said it independently corroborated enough information to report on the project.
Nintendo and Ubisoft Milan’s Partnership Eventually Broke Down
The reported Zelda project appears to have been part of a broader attempt to continue the relationship established through Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle and Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope.
After Goliath was rejected, Ubisoft Milan reportedly considered other potential Nintendo projects. Internal discussions allegedly included possibilities involving Star Fox or another game set in the Mario universe.
However, communication between Nintendo and Ubisoft reportedly deteriorated between late 2023 and early 2024. Ubisoft Milan’s team was subsequently divided among different projects, while several key developers eventually departed the company.
Soliani later co-founded Day 4 Night alongside other former Ubisoft developers. For now, Goliath remains an unannounced and canceled project, but the reported concept offers a rare glimpse at how far Ubisoft Milan’s collaboration with Nintendo may have extended beyond Mario + Rabbids.
