A new report from Insider Gaming claims Ubisoft pitched a Legend of Zelda spin-off to Nintendo that was ultimately not released.
The alleged project, codenamed 'Goliath,' was reportedly prototyped by a small team at Ubisoft Milan led by Mario + Rabbids veteran Davide Soliani.
Ubisoft and Nintendo previously collaborated on Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle (2017) and Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (released October 20, 2022) for the Nintendo Switch.
According to Insider Gaming's sources, Ubisoft initially proposed a spin-off featuring an unnamed new protagonist.
The report states that Nintendo suggested recasting that lead as Ganondorf during discussions.
The prototype effort was reportedly active from the launch period of Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope through 2023, with Ubisoft Milan delivering a playable prototype to Nintendo in 2023.
Insider Gaming further reports that Nintendo rejected the prototype in November 2023, and that subsequent talks between the two companies about additional collaborations—reportedly including other franchise spin-offs—did not advance to production.
In journalistic terms, sources told Insider Gaming that Ubisoft pitched the concept, that Nintendo advised a shift to Ganondorf as the playable lead, and that the prototype called 'Goliath' was declined by Nintendo in November 2023.
The report frames these details as insider claims rather than confirmed corporate announcements.
Context and verified background: Ubisoft Milan served as the lead studio on the Mario + Rabbids series, with Davide Soliani credited as a creative lead on those titles.
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle launched in 2017 and was followed by Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope on Nintendo Switch in October 2022.
Nintendo and Ubisoft's collaboration on those Switch exclusives is publicly documented.
Neither Nintendo nor Ubisoft has issued an official statement confirming the Insider Gaming report.
As presented, the information should be treated as an unverified industry report.
For readers tracking Nintendo collaborations and spin-off development, the story is noteworthy because it ties a high-profile third-party studio and a known creative lead to a proposed experiment within the Zelda franchise.
Follow official channels such as Nintendo's announcements, Ubisoft press releases, and reliable outlets for verification if and when either company provides confirmation.
The alleged project, codenamed 'Goliath,' was reportedly prototyped by a small team at Ubisoft Milan led by Mario + Rabbids veteran Davide Soliani.
Ubisoft and Nintendo previously collaborated on Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle (2017) and Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (released October 20, 2022) for the Nintendo Switch.
According to Insider Gaming's sources, Ubisoft initially proposed a spin-off featuring an unnamed new protagonist.
The report states that Nintendo suggested recasting that lead as Ganondorf during discussions.
The prototype effort was reportedly active from the launch period of Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope through 2023, with Ubisoft Milan delivering a playable prototype to Nintendo in 2023.
Insider Gaming further reports that Nintendo rejected the prototype in November 2023, and that subsequent talks between the two companies about additional collaborations—reportedly including other franchise spin-offs—did not advance to production.
In journalistic terms, sources told Insider Gaming that Ubisoft pitched the concept, that Nintendo advised a shift to Ganondorf as the playable lead, and that the prototype called 'Goliath' was declined by Nintendo in November 2023.
The report frames these details as insider claims rather than confirmed corporate announcements.
Context and verified background: Ubisoft Milan served as the lead studio on the Mario + Rabbids series, with Davide Soliani credited as a creative lead on those titles.
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle launched in 2017 and was followed by Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope on Nintendo Switch in October 2022.
Nintendo and Ubisoft's collaboration on those Switch exclusives is publicly documented.
Neither Nintendo nor Ubisoft has issued an official statement confirming the Insider Gaming report.
As presented, the information should be treated as an unverified industry report.
For readers tracking Nintendo collaborations and spin-off development, the story is noteworthy because it ties a high-profile third-party studio and a known creative lead to a proposed experiment within the Zelda franchise.
Follow official channels such as Nintendo's announcements, Ubisoft press releases, and reliable outlets for verification if and when either company provides confirmation.
