3DS unlock conditions: Clear Classic Mode on 5.0 Intensity or higher as Link or Zelda, or play 80 Vs. Matches, then defeat Ganondorf on Gerudo Valley.
The powerful King of Evil is back, keeping his brutal bare-fisted fighting style inspired by Captain Falcon. More than any other character, Ganondorf is all about power. All of his moves are slow and strong, even his weakest attacks pack quite a punch. Ganondorf can bring a foe from 0% to KO in just a few hits, and his damage output is strong even when compared to other heavyweights. Moreover, his aerial moves have great coverage and functionality, being a big threat both onstage and off. Unfortunately, Ganondorf is limited by quite a few weaknesses. He is one of the slowest characters in the game and his attacks are sluggish, making it easier for more agile characters to outmaneuver him. He also lacks range to combat defensive foes, and his recovery leaves a lot to be desired. Overall, Ganondorf is a character that excels at punishing mistakes. Take advantage of every opening and retaliate with brutal force to truly demonstrate the Triforce's power!
Ganondorf's physique complements his playstyle, being the heaviest humanoid character and one of the heaviest characters in the game overall. He also falls pretty quickly to further emphasize his weight. In terms of speed, Ganondorf almost comes in last at every category, struggling to chase opponents both on the ground and in the air.
Ganondorf holds his leg up, drawing in nearby enemies from the vacuum created. After a delay, he slams the foot into the ground to do extreme knockback.
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Ankle Smash
Ganondorf kicks low.
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while dashing
while dashing
while dashing
Charge of Darkness
Ganondorf rushes forward with a shoulder tackle.
while dashing
while dashing
while dashing
while hanging
while hanging
while hanging
Ganondorf climbs up and backhands.
while hanging
while hanging
while hanging
Smash Attacks
Control
Attack
Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller
Wii Remote + Nunchuk
Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller
GameCube Controller
Nintendo 3DS
Smash ( or )+
Smash ( or )+
( or )++
Evil Elbow
Ganondorf does an elbow jab. This attack can be angled by tilting the control stick up or down.
Smash ( or )+
Smash ( or )+
Smash ( or )+
Smash +
Smash +
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Chin Breaker
Ganondorf does a single upward kick.
Smash +
Smash +
Smash +
Smash +
Smash +
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Brutal Volley
Ganondorf kicks in front of him then behind him.
Smash +
Smash +
Smash +
Air Attacks
Control
Attack
Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller
Wii Remote + Nunchuk
Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller
GameCube Controller
Nintendo 3DS
Boot Assault
Ganondorf kicks twice.
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Tombstone Punch
Ganondorf does a downward hook. The move is strongest at the fist.
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Dark Backhand
Ganondorf punches behind him.
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Flip Smash
Ganondorf does a backflip and kicks above him.
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Thunder Stomp
Ganondorf stomp down with both legs for a powerful meteor smash.
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Throws
Control
Attack
Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller
Wii Remote + Nunchuk
Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller
GameCube Controller
Nintendo 3DS
after grab
after grab
after grab
Warlock Knee
Ganondorf knees the grabbed opponent.
after grab
after grab
after grab
after grab
after grab
after grab
Darkness Jab
Ganondorf punches the grabbed opponent forward.
after grab
after grab
after grab
after grab
after grab
after grab
Brute Kick
Ganondorf kicks the grabbed opponent backward.
after grab
after grab
after grab
after grab
after grab
after grab
Dark Upper
Ganondorf uppercuts the grabbed opponent.
after grab
after grab
after grab
after grab
after grab
after grab
Power Crash
Ganondorf slams the grabbed opponent into the ground.
After a brief windup, Ganondorf punches with tons of force. The direction of the move can be reversed to increase its strength. Ganondorf has super armor while winding up the move, so it cannot be interrupted by attacks.
Warlock Blade
Ganondorf stabs forward with the Sword of Sages instead of punching. The attack has more range but is slightly weaker. Hit with the tip for maximum power.
Warlock Thrust
Ganondorf does a quick punch that unleashes a burst of dark energy. Has more speed and a larger radius, but the knockback of the move is drastically weakened, even when hitting with the sweetspot at the fist.
( or )+
( or )+
( or )+
Flame Choke
Ganondorf rushes forward for a grab. If he succeeds, he will drop the enemy to the ground. If the move connects in the air, Ganondorf drags the target down with him until he hits solid ground. If he uses it offstage, it will result in a Ganoncide that KOs both characters, but the victim is always KO'd first.
( or )+
( or )+
( or )+
Flame Wave
Once Ganondorf grabs a foe, he blows them skyward. The grab is stronger, but it has lower speed and range.
Flame Chain
Ganondorf does not grab enemies, instead carrying them along with him using dark energy from his fists. Noticeably slower than Flame Choke.
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Dark Dive
Ganondorf leaps upward. If an enemy is nearby, he will grab on to them and shock them before jumping off. The end of the move is an uppercut that can hit potential edgeguarders.
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Dark Fists
Ganondorf does a strong two-hit uppercut during his leap, but cannot grab.
Dark Vault
Ganondorf does two jumps to increase his height, but can only grab at the start of those jumps.
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Wizard's Foot
Ganondorf kicks while lunging forward. If used in the air, he will descend down at an angle, creating a shockwave when he lands. Hitting at the start of the aerial version results in a strong meteor smash.
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Wizard's Dropkick
Ganondorf does a hop before kicking downward. If used from the air, he will kick at a much more horizontal angle. The move is weaker overall and cannot meteor smash.
Wizard's Assault
Ganondorf takes longer to begin and end the attack, but the kick itself has better range and speed. When used in the air, Ganondorf plunges straight down.
Taunts
Control
Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller
Wii Remote + Nunchuk
Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller
GameCube Controller
Nintendo 3DS
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Ganondorf spins around and laughs evilly.
( or )
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Ganondorf cracks his knuckles, leaking dark energy from his fists.
( or )
( or )
( or )
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Ganondorf takes out his Sword of Sages and admires it.
Ganondorf transforms into Ganon, a beastly primal form roughly three times as big. Foes nearby get hit and buried into the ground. Next, Ganon does a powerful stomp that stuns enemies, then rushes forward to launch them to their doom. After the attack ends, Ganondorf reappears in his original spot. Beast Ganon is basically a projectile Final Smash, only the projectile takes a while to come out and has higher speed than any other in the game. Your goal is to incapacitate as many enemies as you can with the initial hits so that they cannot escape the charge. On smaller stages, it is very hard to dodge the attack anyways due to Ganon's size, especially if you use it from the ledge facing inward, making this one of the most potent Final Smashes in the game.