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Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Wii U Ganondorf.png
  • 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!

Basic attributes[edit]

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.


Moveset Analysis[edit]

Standard Attacks

Control Attack Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller Wii Remote + Nunchuk Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller GameCube Controller Nintendo 3DS
A button(+A buttonA buttonA button) A button(+A buttonA buttonA button) 2 button(+2 button2 button2 button) Lightning Palm Ganondorf does a single palm strike.
A button(+A buttonA buttonA button) A button(+A buttonA buttonA button) A button(+A buttonA buttonA button)
(Left lstick or Right lstick)+A button (Left nunchuk or Right nunchuk)+A button (Left dpad or Right dpad)+2 button Gut Kick Ganondorf reels back and kicks forward.
(Left lstick or Right lstick)+A button (Left control or Right control)+A button (Left cpad or Right cpad)+A button
Up lstick+A button Up nunchuk+A button Up dpad+2 button Volcano Kick 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.
Up lstick+A button Up control+A button Up cpad+A button
Down lstick+A button Down nunchuk+A button Down dpad+2 button Ankle Smash Ganondorf kicks low.
Down lstick+A button Down control+A button Down cpad+A button
A button while dashing A button while dashing 2 button while dashing Charge of Darkness Ganondorf rushes forward with a shoulder tackle.
A button while dashing A button while dashing A button while dashing
A button while hanging A button while hanging 2 button while hanging Ganondorf climbs up and backhands.
A button while hanging A button while hanging A button 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 (Left lstick or Right lstick)+A button Smash (Left nunchuk or Right nunchuk)+A button (Left dpad or Right dpad)+1 button+2 button Evil Elbow Ganondorf does an elbow jab. This attack can be angled by tilting the control stick up or down.
Smash (Left lstick or Right lstick)+A button Smash (Left control or Right control)+A button Smash (Left cpad or Right cpad)+A button
Smash Up lstick+A button Smash Up nunchuk+A button Up dpad+1 button+2 button Chin Breaker Ganondorf does a single upward kick.
Smash Up lstick+A button Smash Up control+A button Smash Up cpad+A button
Smash Down lstick+A button Smash Down nunchuk+A button Down dpad+1 button+2 button Brutal Volley Ganondorf kicks in front of him then behind him.
Smash Down lstick+A button Smash Down control+A button Smash Down cpad+A button

Air Attacks

Control Attack Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller Wii Remote + Nunchuk Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller GameCube Controller Nintendo 3DS
A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png 2 buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Boot Assault Ganondorf kicks twice.
A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png
Right lstick+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Right nunchuk+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Right dpad+2 buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Tombstone Punch Ganondorf does a downward hook. The move is strongest at the fist.
Right lstick+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Right control+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Right cpad+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png
Left lstick+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Left nunchuk+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Left dpad+2 buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Dark Backhand Ganondorf punches behind him.
Left lstick+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Left control+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Left cpad+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png
Up lstick+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Up nunchuk+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Up dpad+2 buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Flip Smash Ganondorf does a backflip and kicks above him.
Up lstick+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Up control+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Up cpad+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png
Down lstick+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Down nunchuk+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Down dpad+2 buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Thunder Stomp Ganondorf stomp down with both legs for a powerful meteor smash.
Down lstick+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Down control+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png Down cpad+A buttonArcade-Modifier-Air.png

Throws

Control Attack Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller Wii Remote + Nunchuk Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller GameCube Controller Nintendo 3DS
A button after grab A button after grab 2 button after grab Warlock Knee Ganondorf knees the grabbed opponent.
A button after grab A button after grab A button after grab
Right lstick after grab Right nunchuk after grab Right dpad after grab Darkness Jab Ganondorf punches the grabbed opponent forward.
Right lstick after grab Right control after grab Right cpad after grab
Left lstick after grab Left nunchuk after grab Left dpad after grab Brute Kick Ganondorf kicks the grabbed opponent backward.
Left lstick after grab Left control after grab Left cpad after grab
Up lstick after grab Up nunchuk after grab Up dpad after grab Dark Upper Ganondorf uppercuts the grabbed opponent.
Up lstick after grab Up control after grab Up cpad after grab
Down lstick after grab Down nunchuk after grab Down dpad after grab Power Crash Ganondorf slams the grabbed opponent into the ground.
Down lstick after grab Down control after grab Down cpad after grab

Special Attacks[edit]

Control Attack Info
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller Wii Remote + Nunchuk Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Classic Controller GameCube Controller Nintendo 3DS
B button B button 1 button Warlock Punch 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.
B button B button B button
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.
(Left lstick or Right lstick)+B button (Left nunchuk or Right nunchuk)+B button (Left dpad or Right dpad)+1 button 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.
(Left lstick or Right lstick)+B button (Left control or Right control)+B button (Left cpad or Right cpad)+B button
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.
Up lstick+B button Up nunchuk+B button Up dpad+1 button 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.
Up lstick+B button Up control+B button Up cpad+B button
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.
Down lstick+B button Down nunchuk+B button Down dpad+1 button 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.
Down lstick+B button Down control+B button Down cpad+B button
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
Up dpad 1 button Up dpad+A button Ganondorf spins around and laughs evilly.
Up dpad Up dpad Up dpad
(Left dpad or Right dpad) 1 button+2 button A button Ganondorf cracks his knuckles, leaking dark energy from his fists.
(Left dpad or Right dpad) (Left dpad or Right dpad) (Left dpad or Right dpad)
Down dpad 2 button Down dpad+A button Ganondorf takes out his Sword of Sages and admires it.
Down dpad Down dpad Down dpad

Final Smash - Beast Ganon[edit]

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.