Editing Ganondorf (SSBM)

{{ArticleIcons|ssbm=y}}
{{Disambig2|Ganondorf's appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''|the character in other contexts|Ganondorf}}
{{Infobox Character
|name = Ganondorf
|image = [[File:Ganondorf SSBM.jpg]]
|game = SSBM
|ssbgame1 = SSBB
|ssbgame2 = SSB4
|ssbgame3 = SSBU
|availability = [[Unlockable character|Unlockable]]
|tier = C+
|tierPAL = E
|ranking = 14
|rankingPAL = 14
}}
'''Ganondorf''' ({{ja|ガノンドロフ|Ganondorofu}}, ''Ganondorf'') appears as an unlockable playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''. His model is directly taken from his appearance in the {{iw|zeldawiki|SpaceWorld 2000 GameCube Tech Demo}}, which is itself based on his appearance in his original Gerudo form from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'' (being the only playable character in ''Melee'' to have his model taken from elsewhere). Ganondorf is a [[clone]] of {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}, and as such, he fights in a brawler style similar to Captain Falcon, but in a slower, more powerful manner.

Ganondorf is voiced by {{s|wikipedia|Takashi Nagasako}}, with most voice clips being reused from ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time''.

Ganondorf currently ranks 14th out of 26 in the C+ tier on the ''Melee'' [[tier list]], which is his best placement in the series, and the only time he has not been a bottom-tier character. Ganondorf boasts extreme power, good [[reach]], decent [[chaingrab]]bing ability, and very useful [[aerial]]s, including the strongest [[meteor smash]] in the game in his [[down aerial]]. He also has several effective [[edgeguarding]] options including the aforementioned down aerial. His endurance is also quite good, with high weight and a far-reaching [[recovery]].

Nonetheless, Ganondorf has extreme flaws to counteract these great strengths as well. He has a bad [[neutral game]] due to his poor [[dash dance]] and lack of non-committal [[approach]] options, forcing Ganondorf players to rely more on [[read]]s and a bait-and-punish playstyle. Ganondorf is also very susceptible to punishes himself, as he is easily [[combo]]ed and chaingrabbed due to his size and [[weight]], and is very easily edgeguarded due to his very predictable (albeit long-distance) recovery. His speed and size also mean he is vulnerable to [[projectile]]s and has few ways to deal with characters that outrange him or rush him down. While Ganondorf has notably good [[matchup]]s against all characters historically tiered lower than him, and also on a few high-tiers reliant on [[wavedash]]ing for movement, he struggles to maintain ground against top-tier characters, such as {{SSBM|Fox}} and {{SSBM|Sheik}}. 

Like many ''Melee'' mid-tiers, Ganondorf falls victim to the metagame's most common fighters. Although he is often considered to be a nonviable pick at the highest level of play, a handful of players, such as {{Sm|Bizzarro Flame}} and {{Sm|Kage}}, have shown Ganondorf can get close to the final rounds of major [[tournament]]s.

==How to unlock==
Ganondorf must be defeated in battle before he can be unlocked. There are two ways the player can encounter Ganondorf:
*One way is to complete [[Event 29: Triforce Gathering]]. If the player fails to defeat Ganondorf, they can re-fight him by completing the event again.
*Another way is to play 600 VS. matches. If the player fails to defeat Ganondorf, they can re-fight him by playing another VS. match to completion. If this method is used, fighters with lower VS. match quotas must be unlocked before Ganondorf can be fought.
Upon meeting either requirement, Ganondorf is fought on {{SSBM|Final Destination}}, with the track "Great Bay" playing.

==Attributes==
As a slower, larger clone of Captain Falcon, Ganondorf sacrifices speed for power and range. He is often considered to be the most powerful character in the game, boasting as many as sixteen KO options. This is counteracted by his poor mobility, as he has the 6th slowest dashing speed, the 3rd slowest air speed, and a rather short and slow [[wavedash]]. However, he possesses techniques that can partially circumvent his low speed, such as the [[moonwalk]], a great platform-dashing game, and one of the fastest and longest [[roll]]s, which surprisingly rivals his running speed, as well as positions him backwards.

One of Ganondorf's most notable strengths is his extreme power and damage output. His up smash, though [[Lag#Start-up lag|laggy]], is the strongest in the game if fully charged and both hits connect. His neutral special, [[Warlock Punch]], and his notorious up tilt are two of the slowest moves in the game (the latter is the slowest), but can KO as low as 30%. His down aerial is both the strongest aerial attack and [[meteor smash]] in the game; it is notoriously difficult to [[meteor cancel]] regardless of damage percentage and is nearly impossible to recover from, even at low percentages, and can reliably [[star KO]] some grounded characters under ~100%. Ganondorf's powerful attacks are counterbalanced by their slowness, but although most of his aerial attacks have long periods of landing lag, Ganondorf is perhaps the character that benefits the most from [[L-canceling]], as it allows him to effectively combo other characters.

Despite Ganondorf's extreme power, he does not suffer from poor combo extensions, due to the knockback in his attacks, as he manages to retain some of the excellent combo ability from his clone. His aerials flow very well into each other, and when L-canceled, he can chase his opponents and land a follow-up despite his poor air speed. Due to his benefit from L-canceling, a low short hop, and decent falling speed, Ganondorf has a good [[SHFFL]]. The core of Ganondorf's combos lie in his grab game; despite a rather poor grab range, his throws have immense versatility, and his up and down throws are excellent launchers, as well as effective chain-grabs. His forward and back throws can also set up edgeguards.

Ganondorf's greatest strength, however, is his superb [[edge-guarding]] game. Despite his poor air speed, he is one of the best edge-guarders, with more aerial guarding options than many other characters in the game; all of his aerials deal high damage and [[knockback]] and are guaranteed to knock foes offstage; his down air is an extremely powerful meteor smash, and Wizard's Foot is a non-recoverable [[spike]]. In particular, his sourspotted reversed up aerial (performed while facing away from the edge) is one of the best [[gimp]]ing moves in the game because of its long duration, range, [[semi-spiking]] knockback (hard to [[tech]] out of) at a 20° (rear hitbox) or 0° (rear bottom hitbox) trajectory with [[gravity]] following suit, extremely high [[hitstun]], and cannot be [[DI]]'d due to its low knockback.

Ganondorf's major weakness is his poor approach and neutral game. Although his weight and quick falling speed enables him to live longer, they also make him highly susceptible to combos and chaingrabs. His mobility and approach are ultimately crippled by his short, relatively slow [[wavedash]] and poor dashing and air speeds. A lack of a projectile also makes it difficult for him to break opposing camping. He also has a very poor [[dash-dance]], as it is among the shortest in the game and leaves him vulnerable to being camped or rushed down. Additionally, he lacks safe moves that allow him to approach noncommittally. As a result, Ganondorf is dependent on [[punish]]ing opponents through reads and baits.

Ganondorf is also regarded as one of the most easily edge-guarded and [[Edge-hogging|edge-hogged]] characters in the game. On paper, he has a long, extendable horizontal recovery, thanks to his down special, Wizard's Foot, which is one of the only two specials that allow the character to regain their midair jump (the other being [[Falcon Kick]], but is considered inferior to Wizard's Foot because of how much farther downward it travels and Captain Falcon's higher falling speed). Ganondorf's aforementioned abysmal air speed prevents him from efficiently moving off-stage, and his mid-air jumps fail to give enough height to reliably recover offstage. This makes edgehogging very threatening if Ganondorf is positioned poorly offstage.

Overall, Ganondorf is a powerhouse; with some of the strongest moves in the game, he can easily KO the entire ''Melee'' cast at very lower percents with his powerful moves. All that's holding him back are his unimpressive mobility and prediction-reliant neutral game, requiring players to play a bait-and punish style to try and land his powerful moves while being careful not to get attacked himself.

==Differences from {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}==
Ganondorf struggles more often than Captain Falcon due to his slower mobility and a weaker combo game, causing Ganondorf to be more prediction-reliant when [[approach|approaching]] and having more difficulty in competing with faster characters like {{SSBM|Fox}} or {{SSBM|Sheik}}. However, Ganondorf boasts noticeably stronger attacks, a more dangerous edgeguarding game, and greater reach. He also has no sourspots on his attacks barring his forward tilt, and still retains a few of Captain Falcon's good combo starters, enabling him to still have a serviceable combo game. Despite being designed as a "slower" Captain Falcon, almost all of Ganondorf's moves have the exact same frame data in terms of start-up and ending lag, although all his aerials do have much higher landing lag. A few of Ganondorf's moves also have different knockback angles, usually toward vertically rather than horizontally angled. Finally, Ganondorf has more [[electric]] effects in addition to [[darkness]] on his attacks, with only one move (up tilt) using [[flame]].

===Attributes===
*{{change|Ganondorf is physically larger and taller than Captain Falcon, giving his attacks more [[reach]]. However, this increased size also increases his hurtbox, thus making him easier to hit.}}
*{{buff|Ganondorf is [[weight|heavier]] than Captain Falcon (104 → 109).}}
*{{buff|Ganondorf's ledge jump is higher than Captain Falcon's, being the highest in the game.}}
*{{buff|Ganondorf's [[roll]]s cover more distance than Captain Falcon's.}}
*{{buff|Ganondorf's [[wavedash]] is longer than Captain Falcon's.}}
*{{buff|Ganondorf's [[spot dodge]] has 1 less frame of startup (3-20 → 2-20).}}
**{{change|Spot dodge has a altered animation.}}
*{{nerf|Ganondorf's [[walk|walk speed]] (0.85 → 0.73), [[dash|dash speed]] (2.3 → 1.35), [[air speed]] (1.12 → 0.78), and [[jump]] and [[midair jump]] height are all lower than Captain Falcon's.}}
*{{nerf|Ganondorf's [[jumpsquat]] is slower (4 → 6) than Captain Falcon's, slowing his ability to be airborne and perform aerials and [[wavedash]]es.}}
*{{nerf|Ganondorf cannot [[wall jump]].}}
*{{nerf|Ganondorf's [[falling speed]] is much slower than Falcon's (2.9 → 2), improving his ability to recover in a vacuum, but also making him easier to chaingrab and combo, as well as nerfing his ability to chase down fast fallers such as Fox.}}
*{{change|Captain Falcon's attacks that deal [[flame]] damage, such as forward smash, [[Falcon Punch]], [[Raptor Boost]], and [[Falcon Kick]], are replaced by [[darkness]] for Ganondorf's counterparts.}}

===Ground attacks===
*[[Neutral attack]]:
**{{change|Neutral attack is changed to be only a single palm strike.}} 
***{{change|The single hit deals only 7% (palm)/8% (body), it makes it deal more than the first two hits (2% (hit 1)/3% (hit 2)) and the roughly the same damage as the [[Gentleman]] (8% (clean)/6% (late) individually, but does less damage than Captain Falcon's if all hits of his jab were to connect.}}
***{{buff|It has a larger hitbox on the palm than Falcon's Jab 1 (3.5154u → 3.906u).}}
***{{buff|It has higher base knockback than the Gentleman (20 → 30).}} 
***{{change|It does not have a rapid jab.}}
**{{change|It has an [[electric]] effect.}}
*[[Forward tilt]]:
**{{buff|It deals more damage overall (11% (unangled)/12%/11% (angled up)/10%/11% (angled down) → 13%/12%/11% (unangled)/14%/13%/12% (angled up)/12%/11%/10% (angled down))}}
**{{buff|It has more base knockback (10 → 20), being the third strongest forward tilt in the game.}}
**{{buff|It has a larger hitbox at the foot (4.2966u → 5.0778u).}}
**{{buff|Its sweetspot hitboxes are positioned at the foot rather than up close when angled down, making it better for spacing.}}
*[[Up tilt]]:
**{{buff|Up tilt deals significantly more damage (13% → 27%) with drastically higher base knockback (50 → 110), able to KO from center under 25% and at 0% near ledges and is thus the strongest tilt in the game.}}
**{{nerf|Up tilt has drastically more startup (17 frames → 81) and catastrophically higher ending lag (38 frames → 115), making it impossible to land in almost any circumstance outside of rest or shield break punishes, edgeguarding, or deceptive mindgames. It also lacks a hitbox as Ganondorf brings his foot down, giving the move less vertical range.}}
**{{change|Up tilt has a wind effect while the leg is lifted up and an explosive effect that deals flame damage when the leg strikes the ground.}}
*[[Down tilt]]:
**{{buff|Down tilt has significantly higher knockback (25 base/75 growth → 30 base/100 growth), being the fourth most powerful down tilt in ''Melee'', while still being a useful combo starter at lower percentages.}}
**{{nerf|Down tilt has a shorter duration (10-15 → 10-12).}}
*[[Dash attack]]:
**{{buff|Dash attack deals more damage (10%/7% → 14%/10%) and knockback (22 base/90 growth → 40 base/80 growth), improving its KO potential, making it safe on hit at 0%, and still being a useful combo starter.}}
**{{buff|Dash attack's hitboxes are placed a little further out, increasing the move's range. They are also positioned higher.}}
**{{change|Dash attack has a different launch angle (361° → 115° (clean)/110° (late)).}}
*[[Forward smash]]:
**{{buff|Forward smash deals more damage (21% (up)/20% (neutral)/19% (down) → 24%/22%/20%), and has higher base knockback (24 → 40). Ganondorf also slides further forward, increasing the move's range.}}
**{{nerf|Forward smash has more startup lag (18 frames → 20).}}
**{{nerf|Forward smash launches opponents at a higher angle (361° (all) → 80° (up)/70° (forward)/60° (down)), and has less knockback scaling (100 → 85 (up)/83 (neutral)/80 (down)), and as such it usually KOs later than Falcon's unless angled up.}}
*[[Up smash]]:
**{{buff|Up smash deals consistent and increased more damage (8%/14% (hit 1)/13%/12% (hit 2) → 22%/19%) and knockback (base 30/growth 128 → 50 base/40 (hit 1), 80 (hit 2) growth), being the most damaging up smash in the game if both hits connect.}}
**{{buff|Both hits have more active frames (21-22 → 21-23 (hit 1), 27-28 → 26-29 (hit 2)), which also shrinks the frame gap between the 2 hits.}}
**{{change|Both hits have a bigger hitbox on the foot, increasing the move's vertical range. However, the first hit of Ganondorf's version lacks the hitbox on the ground in front of him, reducing the move's horizontal range and worsening its ability to hit grounded opponents.}}
**{{nerf|Up smash is less useful as a combo move and the hits do not link as reliably above very low percentages.}}
*[[Down smash]]:
**{{change|Down smash's hits [[natural combo|naturally combo]] into each other as opposed to strong hitting once.}} 
***{{buff|This allows it to deal more damage than Captain Falcon's if both hits connect (18%/16% → 22%/20%).}} 
***{{nerf|Due to being a multi-hit, it naturally makes it less reliable due to risk of the opponent falling out and being more vulnerable to [[Smash directional influence|SDI]].}}
**{{nerf|Both hits deal less damage on their own with the second kick also having a sourspot (18% (hit 1)/16% (hit 2) → 8%/14%/12%). The second hit also launches at a much less optimal vertical angle (361˚ → 120˚). As a result, the second kick of Ganondorf's down smash generally KOs later despite increased knockback values (30 (base)/100 (scaling) → 60/110), especially if sourspotted.}}
**{{nerf|Both hits deal less damage on their own with the second kick having a sourspot (18% (hit 1)/16% (hit 2) → 8%/14%/12%).}}
**{{nerf|The first hit's hitboxes are slightly smaller (3.906u/3.906u → 3.5154u/3.5154u), though it's Z-offset was compensated (5.0778u → 5.859u).}}
***{{buff|The second hit's hitboxes are bigger with it having an extra hitbox inside of Ganondorf (3.5154u/3.5154u → 4.2966u/4.2966u/4.2966u).}}
**{{nerf|It also has slightly more ending lag (IASA 45 → 47).}}

===Aerial attacks===
*{{nerf|All aerials have more landing lag (15 frames → 25 (neutral), 19 frames → 25 (forward), 18 frames → 25 (back), 15 frames → 25 (up), 24 frames → 35 (down)).}}
*[[Neutral aerial]]:
**{{change|The first hit does not have fixed knockback (0 (base)/100 (growth)/40 (fixed) → 30/100/0).  This allows the first hit to KO on it's own, but significantly hinders it's ability to connect into the second hit.}}
**{{change|The first hit has an altered launch angle (82°/78°/74° → 55°/60°/65°).}}
**{{buff|It deals more damage on both kicks (5%/6% (hit 1)/7% (hit 2) → 12% (both)).}}
**{{buff|The second hit has higher base knockback (40 → 50). Combined with the higher base damage, it KOs much earlier.}}
**{{buff|It autocancels earlier (frame 34 → 26).}}
**{{nerf|Both hits have shorter durations (7-12 → 7-8 (hit 1), 20-29 → 20-21 (hit 2)).}}
**{{nerf|Both hits have smaller hitboxes overall (4.2966u/5.4684u/4.2966u → 3.5154u/4.6872u/5.0778u (hit 1), 4.2966u/4.2966u/4.2966u → 3.5154u/4.6872u/5.0778u (hit 2)}}
**{{nerf|Both hits have shorter durations (7-12 → 7-8 (hit 1), 20-29 → 20-21 (hit 2)).}}
**{{nerf|Both hits are much harder to combo into due to their increased power and shorter durations.}}	
*[[Forward aerial]]:
**{{change|Forward aerial has a different animation: an arcing downward punch.}}
**{{change|It does not have a sourspot, this makes it more reliable for KO'ing, but removes the sourspot combos from Captain Falcon's [[Knee Smash]].}}
**{{change|It does not have an electric effect.}}
**{{change|It has altered knockback (24 base/100 growth → 60/80).}}
**{{buff|It has greater range due to it's different animation.}}
**{{buff|It autocancels slightly earlier (frame 34 → 33).}}
**{{buff|It is able to be interrupted earlier (IASA 36 → 35).}}
***{{nerf|However, it has more ending lag overall due to move's fewer active frames.}}
**{{nerf|It has much less active frames (frames 14-30 → 14-19).}}
**{{nerf|It deals slightly less damage than the sweetspot of Captain Falcon's (18% → 17%).}}
**{{nerf|It does not [[semi-spike]] (32° → 361°).}}
*[[Back aerial]]
**{{buff|It deals more damage (14% → 16%).}} 
**{{buff|It has increased base knockback (20/0 → 30/10).}} 
**{{buff|It has a larger hitbox on the fist (4.6872u → 5.4684u).}} 
**{{buff|It does not have a weaker late hit.}}
**{{buff|It autocancels slightly earlier (frame 20 → 18).}}
**{{nerf|It has fewer total active frames (10-17 → 10-15).}}
*[[Up aerial]]
**{{buff|It has higher base knockback (10 (clean)/8 (late) → 35 (clean)/30 (middle)/20 (late)).}}
**{{change|It has a late hit that is active from frames 14-16 that deals 8% (body)/6% (foot) and sends at an angle of 0°.}}
***{{buff|This makes the move significantly better for [[Edgeguarding]] due to it's low angle.}}
***{{buff|The late hit gives the move a longer duration (6-13 → 6-16) and allows it to hit below Ganondorf.}}
*{{nerf|Back and up aerials are less effective combo tools thanks to their increased power and Ganondorf's slower mobility.}}
*[[Down aerial]]:
**{{buff|Down aerial deals 6% more damage (16% → 22%) with higher base knockback (40 → 50), being the strongest [[meteor smash]] in ''Melee'', able to KO grounded opponents under 100% while being notoriously difficult to meteor cancel. It also has larger hitboxes.}}
**{{nerf|Down aerial's top hitbox lacks the ability to [[nipple spike]], meaning it is always meteor cancellable regardless of which hitbox is landed. It also has [[transcendent priority]], preventing it from cancelling out projectiles.}}
**{{change|Down aerial has an electric effect.}}

===Throws/other attacks===
*{{buff|Dash grab is active for one extra frame (11-12 → 11-13).}}
*{{change|Up throw launches opponents at a different angle (85° → 90°).}}
*[[Down throw]]
**{{buff|Down throw launches opponents at a different angle (65° → 100°), making it more reliable for combos and chain-grabs.}}
**{{change|Down throw has marginally more knockback scaling (34 → 36).}}

===Special moves===
*[[Warlock Punch]]:
**{{buff|Warlock Punch deals much more damage (23%/25%/27% → 30%/32%/34%) than [[Falcon Punch]], with its knockback not being fully compensated (scaling 102 → 100).}}
**{{nerf|It has smaller hitboxes (3.906u/3.5154u/4.8825u (ground)/5.2731u/4.6872u/4.8825u (air)) → 2.3436u/3.906u/3.5154u (both)).}}
**{{nerf|Warlock Punch has much more startup lag and a shorter duration than the Falcon Punch (52-56 frames → 70-72), and Ganondorf is unable to perform an equivalent to Captain Falcon's [[Falcon Punch#In Super Smash Bros. Melee|Sacred Combo]] due to his lower air speed, slower run speed, slower jumpsquat and Warlock Punch's higher startup.}}
**{{change|Warlock Punch has significantly different aesthetics from the Falcon Punch; even discounting the darkness effect, it lacks the falcon-shaped fiery aura and falcon screech during the punch.}}
*[[Gerudo Dragon]]:
**{{buff|Gerudo Dragon deals much more damage (7% → 17% (ground)/16% (aerial)) and some extra shield damage (0 → 10 (grounded)) compared to [[Raptor Boost]].}}
**{{change|Gerudo Dragon has a different angle on the ground (90° → 105°).}}
**{{nerf|Gerudo Dragon has lower knockback values (78 base/80 growth (grounded) → 60/69, 60 base/70 growth (aerial) → 50/65), dealing less knockback at lower percents, though it still deals more knockback at higher percents due to the increased damage.}}
**{{nerf|Gerudo Dragon covers less distance than Raptor Boost and the aerial version cannot meteor smash (270° → 70°).}}
**{{nerf|Gerudo Dragon's detection hitboxes during the dash are positioned further back, giving the move a large negative disjoint.}}
**{{change|When Ganondorf falls after whiffing Gerudo Dragon, the screen shakes more than when Captain Falcon whiffs Raptor Boost.}}
*[[Dark Dive]]:
**{{buff|Dark Dive travels slightly more vertical distance than [[Falcon Dive]] due to Ganondorf's taller stature.}}
**{{buff|Its grabboxes are larger (≈2.73u/≈4.3u → ≈3.33u/≈5u).}}
**{{buff|Dark Dive's grab deals four weak electric hits, which can hit opponents who attempt to intercept Ganondorf.}}
**{{buff|Dark Dive's throw deals 3% more damage than Falcon Dive (12% → 15%), giving it more knockback which can KO reliably under 150%.}}
**{{nerf|It covers slightly less horizontal momentum (1.1 → 0.85).}}
*[[Wizard's Foot]]:
**{{buff|Grounded Wizard's Foot has higher and consistent knockback than [[Falcon Kick]] (50 base/70, 60, and 50 growth → 60/85) that does not get weaker over time.}}
**{{buff|Grounded Wizard's Foot has consistent damage output that does not get weaker over time (15% clean/12% mid/9% late → 15%).}}
**{{change|Grounded Wizard's Foot always launches horizontally (361° clean/80° mid/90° late → 361°), whereas the mid and late hits of grounded Falcon Kick have vertical knockback.}}
**{{buff|Grounded Wizard's Foot has a longer duration (14-32 → 14-34).}}
**{{buff|Aerial Wizard's Foot is also a powerful [[spike]] instead of dealing horizontal knockback like Falcon Kick (361° → 290°).}}
**{{buff|Aerial Wizard's Foot's landing hitbox deals more damage (9% → 12%).}}
**{{buff|Aerial Wizard's Foot is safer to use to restore Ganondorf's midair jump thanks to his lower falling speed compared to Captain Falcon.}}
**{{nerf|Both grounded and aerial Wizard's Foot have slightly more ending lag.}}
**{{nerf|Aerial Wizard's Foot deals 1% less damage (15% → 14%).}}

==Version history==
NTSC 1.01 addressed some oversights and bugs with Ganondorf, fixing glitches where he performs a second jab with a Bunnyhood equipped and no longer being considered grounded when using Dark Dive on the ground.  The startup lag on the second hit of his neutral aerial was also increased to match the move's animation which had the side-effects of reducing it's ending lag and making it autocancel later.

The [[PAL]] version of ''Melee'' nerfed two of Ganondorf's aerials, with his forward aerial no longer being a reliable KO move (although it can combo into itself better), and his down aerial dealing less knockback and damage (while still remaining the strongest meteor smash in the game.)

'''NTSC 1.01'''
*{{bugfix|Ganondorf can no longer perform the Bunnyhood double jab glitch.}}
*{{bugfix|Ganondorf is no longer considered grounded when using grounded Dark Dive.}}
*{{change|The second hit of neutral aerial has more startup lag (frame 16 → 20), now matching its animation.}}
**{{buff|This decreases its ending lag as its total duration was unchanged.}}
**{{nerf|However, this also makes it [[auto-cancel]] 4 frames later (frame 22 → 26).}}

'''PAL'''
*{{nerf|Forward aerial has decreased base knockback (60 → 40).}}
*{{nerf|Forward aerial has smaller hitboxes (3.125u/3.91u/5.08u → 2.734u/3.52u/4.3u).}}
*{{nerf|Down aerial deals 1% less damage (22% → 21%) with decreased base knockback (50 → 40).}}

==Moveset==
''For a gallery of Ganondorf's hitboxes, see [[Ganondorf (SSBM)/Hitboxes|here]].''
[[File:GanondorfAerialAttacksSSBM.png|thumb|Ganondorf's aerial attacks]]
[[File:Ganon-gimp.gif|thumb|Ganondorf performing his forward aerial after [[Tech Check|tech check]]ing Captain Falcon's Falcon Dive. The move's base knockback is high enough to gimp characters with subpar recovery at any percentage.]]
{{MovesetTable
|game=SSBM
|neutralcount=1
|neutralname=Thunder Punch ({{ja|雷打|Raida}}, ''Thunder Hit'')
|neutral1dmg=7% (hand), 8% (body)
|neutraldesc=A quick palm strike that [[Electric|shocks]] enemies on contact. Has KO potential at higher damages, but since he jabs directly in front of him, some smaller characters can easily duck under it. It hits on frame 3, making it Ganondorf's fastest attack. It is often used in combos with his other attacks, especially his down aerial.
|ftiltname=Armor Crusher ({{ja|甲冑割|Kacchū Wari}}, ''Armor Helmet Splitter'')
|ftiltangles=3
|ftiltupdmg=12-14%
|ftiltsidedmg=11-13%
|ftiltdowndmg=10-12%
|ftiltdesc=Kicks his foot out forward. Has great speed and range for a powerful tilt (3rd most powerful forward tilt in the game), but is short in duration (3 frames). This attack is often used to space away opponents due to its speed, range, and power. The upward angled-variant is excellent at stuffing out jump-ins and is Ganon's most consistent anti-air option and fastest grounded kill move. The downward variant is helpful for sniping ledges, particularly against [[Fox Illusion]] and [[Falco Phantasm]]. Overall a very versatile and powerful spacing tool and one of the better forward tilts in the game.
|utiltname=Volcano Kick ({{ja|爆裂蹴|Bakuretsushū}}, ''Exploding Kick'')
|utiltdmg=27%
|utiltdesc=Lifts up and charges his leg for a while, then brings it down in a violent explosion. It has extremely long start-up, taking over a second to come out and nearly two seconds to finish. Though it is very powerful; it can OHKO from its extremely high base knockback if landed by an edge. It is by far the most powerful tilt in the game, and can KO even earlier than the [[Warlock Punch]], but its abhorrent start-up combined with its deceptively poor reach limit it to only a niche ledge trap or [[shield break]] punish.
|dtiltname=Sweeping Snake ({{ja|掃脚|Sōkyaku}}, ''Brush Leg'')
|dtiltdmg=12%
|dtiltdesc=Does a quick low sweep kick. Long reach, and is rewarding on hit; it can combo into most aerials for a KO. Rather slow when compared to other down tilts and extremely vulnerable to [[Crouch cancel|crouch cancelling]]. Can KO at very high percentages. Fourth most powerful down tilt in the game.
|dashname=Iron Shoulder ({{ja|剛肩|Gōken}}, ''Strong Shoulder'')
|dashdmg=14% (clean), 10% (late)
|dashdesc= A quick shoulder tackle. Generally poor combo potential, but a great burst option with decent damage output. Much more rewarding if reversed, setting up for combos if timed right.  This is the second most powerful dash attack in the game, beaten only by {{SSBM|Samus}}.
|fsmashname=Nightmare Lunge ({{ja|紫炎肘|Shienchū}}, ''Violet Flame Elbow'')
|fsmashangles=3
|fsmashupdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|24}}
|fsmashsidedmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|22}}
|fsmashdowndmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|20}}
|fsmashdesc=Lunges forward, thrusting out his elbow. Great reach thanks to how far forward Ganon steps during the thrust; it can outrange other pokes and occasionally even {{SSBM|Marth}}'s forward smash, but its poor start-up and cooldown render it unsafe on block and easy to punish. Despite being hard to Dl, forward smash can at times be difficult to KO with, particularly on fastfallers, and is generally less opted for than his two other smash attacks. It is used to finish a [[zero-to-death]] [[chain grab]] on {{SSBM|Sheik}} on [[Final_Destination_(SSBM)|Final Destination]] from center stage.
|usmashname=Tornado Kick ({{ja|二連脚|Nirenkyaku}}, ''Double Leg'')
|usmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|22}} (hit 1), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|19}} (hit 2)
|usmashdesc=A 540 kick. It has three unique hitboxes; the first on his pelvis sends sideways with strong knockback, great for calling out high recoveries; the second is located on his thigh and is fairly rare to land, but links into the second hit to deal nearly 40%. The final hit covering his foot sends up with great knockback, consistently killing even fast-fallers below 100%. Up smash has great priority, making it a great anti-air and callout for shorthops and aerials from ledge, and is surprisingly safe on shield (-7). This move isn't without its flaws however; it loses to most ground attacks, has slow, reactable start-up and is extremely susceptible to low profiling. It is among the most powerful up smashes in the game, even if only the first kick connects.
|dsmashname=Leg Whip ({{ja|連携蹴|Renkeishū}}, ''Linkage Kick'')
|dsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|8}} (hit 1), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|14}} (hit 2 leg), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|12}} (hit 2 foot)
|dsmashdesc=Kicks on either side of him. One of Ganon's best launchers and his fastest smash attack in terms of startup. The first hit chains into the second, and the second hit sends upward, making down smash into an aerial a viable kill confirm on fastfallers. The first hit can rarely fail to link properly and send the opponent at a deep semi-spike angle, setting them up for an edgeguard. The move's biggest flaw is its noticeable blindspot below Ganon's leg, allowing characters that pancake their hurtboxes (e.g {{SSBM|Marth}}) to dodge under the move and punish him. If only the second hit connects, this is the second farthest down smash knockback in the game, only beaten by {{SSBM|Marth}}'s (when [[Sweet_spot_(hitbox)|sweetspot]]ted).
|nairname=Swooping Keese ({{ja|旋風陣|Senpūjin}}, ''Whirlwind Array'')
|nairdmg=12% (hits 1-2)
|nairdesc=Two quick midair kicks. Both kicks have high knockback (especially the second kick, capable of KOing under 130%), and can deal very high damage when landed in succession. The first hit can be used as a niche poke and has limited KO power and combo ability on poor DI, but rarely links into the second kick even at low percents; it's completely impossible to do so past ~25%. It's possible to land the second kick without the first one, which is occasionally useful to deter reckless approaches, but requires correct timing. With both kicks, it is the second strongest neutral aerial in the game (exceeded by {{SSBM|Mr. Game & Watch}}'s).
|fairname=Skull Crusher ({{ja|頭蓋割|Zugai Wari}}, ''Cranium Splitter'')
|fairdmg=17%
|fairdesc=Ganondorf brings his fist down in an arc rather quickly, with impressive knockback and damage, though slightly weaker than {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}'s [[Knee Smash]]. Unlike the Knee Smash, however, it always strikes with the same force, and is also just as fast as the Knee, with much more reach and a slightly faster [[FAF]] (36 → 35, though Ganondorf's forward aerial has more ending lag by comparison due to lacking a late hit, unlike the Knee Smash), though it has more landing lag. KO's Mario at 106% from the center of Final Destination. This is the fifth most powerful forward aerial in the game ({{SSBM|Zelda}}, {{SSBM|Dr. Mario}}, Captain Falcon, and {{SSBM|Yoshi}} respectively surpass him in this regard). It is one of his best moves.
|bairname=Hidden Gauntlet ({{ja|裏拳|Uraken}}, ''Backfist'')
|bairdmg=16%
|bairdesc=Punches behind him with high power. It is fast, very powerful, good for [[edgeguarding]], and has great range. It has less base knockback than his forward aerial, but has more knockback scaling (1.064 → 1.26), making its power almost proportional to his forward aerial, knockback-wise (until about 125%, where his back aerial will start being stronger than his forward aerial). Has the exact amount of frames as Captain Falcon's back aerial, but unlike his, it hits with the same power throughout the entirety of the attack. KO's Mario at 109% from the center of Final Destination. This is the second most powerful back aerial in the game (second to Zelda).
|uairname=Vulture Kick ({{ja|後転脚|Kōtenkyaku}}, ''Back Turn Kick'')
|uairdmg=13%/12% (clean), 12%/10% (mid), 8%/6% (late)
|uairdesc=Does a flip kick, covering a large arc above him. Knockback direction depends on which angle the foe was hit in. If Ganondorf is facing away from the opponent and the attack hits with the sourspot at the tip of his foot, the opponent will be [[semi-spike]]d, with low damage but extremely high hitstun, which makes it great for [[edgeguarding]]. The clean hit is among the most powerful up aerials in the game.
|dairname=Thunder Drop ({{ja|落雷蹴|Rakuraishū}}, ''Thunderbolt Kick'')
|dairdmg=22% (NTSC), 21% (PAL)
|dairdesc=[[Stomp (archetype)|Stomp]]s both his feet downwards, with an [[electric]] effect. An extremely powerful [[meteor smash]], and an excellent [[SHFFL]] and [[auto-cancel]] option, with a massive hitbox that covers Ganondorf's entire body and is able to hit opponents below platforms. It is the most powerful meteor smash in the game and is overall the most powerful aerial in the game. It is capable of setting up combos at low percentages when used against grounded opponents, and serves as a great finisher on grounded opponents at high percentages. This attack has [[Priority#Transcendent_priority|transcendent priority]]. It is one of his best moves.

In the PAL version of the game, this move deals slightly less damage with a small decrease to knockback, but still remains a very powerful meteor smash.
|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}})
|grabdesc=Grabs with his right hand. Ganondorf possesses a slightly better grab range than Captain Falcon, with an equally fast and active standing grab, and a dash grab that is active for one frame longer.
|pummelname=Armored Knee ({{ja|つかみ膝蹴|Tsukami Hizageri}}, ''Grab Knee Kick'')
|pummeldmg=3%
|pummeldesc=Knees the opponent.
|fthrowname=Gut Punch ({{ja|剛突|Gōtotsu}}, ''Strong Thrust'')
|fthrowdmg=5% (hit 1), 4% (throw)
|fthrowdesc=Punches foe in front. It is typically only used for setting up edgeguarding situations at high percentages.
|bthrowname=Blind Mule Kick ({{ja|衝脚|Shōkyaku}}, ''Piercing Leg'')
|bthrowdmg=5% (hit 1), 4% (throw)
|bthrowdesc=Brings foe behind him and kicks. Can set up edgeguards at high percentages.
|uthrowname=Jaw Breaker ({{ja|顎砕|Gakusai}}, ''Jaw Smash'')
|uthrowdmg=4% (hit 1), 3% (throw)
|uthrowdesc=Knocks his foe above him. Excellent set up for juggles and platform pressure, and can be an effective chain-grab against fast fallers until high percentages, but its high endlag makes it somewhat clunky to start setups with.
|dthrowname=Dirt Nap ({{ja|地割落|Jiwariraku}}, ''Earth Splitting Fall'')
|dthrowdmg=7%
|dthrowdesc=Takes foe and slams them into the floor. Another throw well-suited for juggling. Can also [[chain grab]] characters with average falling speeds until around 90%, and fast-fallers to about 130%. Can combo into jab then down aerial on [[space animal]]s around 50%. Combos into all aerials at higher percentages and is one of Ganon's most common bread-and-butter kill confirms.
|floorfname=&nbsp;
|floorfdmg=6%
|floorfdesc=Gets up and flips while kicking. Deceptively high horizontal range.
|floorbname=&nbsp;
|floorbdmg=6%
|floorbdesc=Stands on both hands and does a spinning double kick. Short horizontal range makes this a poor getup attack, but it can occasionally snipe opponents on [[Fountain of Dreams]]'s platforms at lower elevations, and its multi-hit nature makes it decently safe against crouch cancelling.
|edgefname=&nbsp;
|edgefdmg=10%
|edgefdesc=Picks himself up and kicks forward. Fantastic range and can even snipe platforms on [[Yoshi's Story]] and [[Fountain of Dreams]], but is unsafe against crouch cancelling. Hitting an opponent standing too close to the edge sends them backward at a great angle, setting up for Ganon's deadly edgeguarding. 
|edgesname=&nbsp;
|edgesdmg=8%
|edgesdesc=Slowly gets up and uppercuts. Has occasional use to catch opponents off guard due to its above average intangibility frames, but mostly results in a lost stock on whiff.
|nsname=Warlock Punch
|nsdmg=34% (close), 32% (mid), 30% (far)
|nsdesc=Winds up darkness in his fist then releases it all in one powerful punch. Like the [[Falcon Punch]], Ganondorf announces the move with a loud yell, lacking any surprise advantage. It has very high knockback, able to KO at low percentages and can even KO light characters under 10%. Except on utterly defenseless or paralyzed opponents, this attack is very hard to use in combat because it is very slow and predictable, making it extremely difficult to land in competitive play.
|ssname=Gerudo Dragon
|ssdmg=17% (Ground), 16% (Air)
|ssdesc=Lunges forward, uppercutting any opponents who come in his path. One of Ganondorf's best launchers, and it can hit slightly behind him, making it particularly useful in tech situations, but is very unsafe on whiff. Unlike [[Raptor Boost]], this move does not meteor smash opponents when used in the air. Instead, it will launch them diagonally upwards. The move causes [[Helpless|helplessness]] if used in the air. The grounded version KO's at ~127%+.
|usname=Dark Dive
|usdmg=1% (hits 1-4), 15% (release), 6% (breakout)
|usdesc=Quickly leaps upward. If he connects with an opponent, they will be trapped in a flurry of electricity (a [[command grab]]). Also, if the move connects, Ganondorf will not go into a helpless state. This move can grab the ledge even if Ganondorf is facing the opposite direction. Useful for mixups, especially below platforms and can kill at higher percents, but has so little base knockback that it can be a net negative on hit at low percentages.
|dsname=Wizard's Foot
|dsdmg=15% (ground), 14% (air), 12% (landing)
|dsdesc=On the ground, Ganondorf rushes forward with his leg extended, dealing great knockback for the whole duration of the move, but leaving him extremely open on whiff, especially on shield. In the air, he plummets to the ground at a sharp angle. If Ganondorf impacts the ground while the move is active, a shockwave is generated the frame after landing. Both the kick and the shockwave are [[spike]]s - giving them utility as devastating, albeit niche, edgeguarding tools, particularly against [[Donkey Kong (SSBM)|Donkey Kong]] and [[Bowser (SSBM)|Bowser]]. This move has the odd property of rewarding Ganondorf's [[double jump]] back, making it an essential tool for his [[recovery]].
}}

===Stats===
'''NTSC'''
{{Attributes
|cast = 26
|weight = 109
|rweight = 4
|dash = 1.3
|rdash = 21-23
|run = 1.35
|rrun = 21
|walk = 0.73
|rwalk = 23
|trac = 0.07
|rtrac = 14
|airfric = 0.02
|rairfric = 4-9
|air = 0.78
|rair = 23-24
|baseaccel = 0.02
|rbaseaccel = 2-23
|addaccel = 0.04
|raddaccel = 5-11
|gravity = 0.13
|rgravity = 3-5
|fall = 2
|rfall = 10
|ff = 2.6
|rff = 10
|jumpsquat = 6
|rjumpsquat = 23-25
|jumpheight = 27.3
|rjumpheight = 24
|shorthop = 16.4
|rshorthop = 6
|djump = 22.23
|rdjump = 17
|ellag = 5
|rellag = 24-25
}}

'''PAL'''
{{Attributes
|cast = 26
|weight = 109
|rweight = 5
|dash = 1.3
|rdash = 21-23
|run = 1.35
|rrun = 21
|walk = 0.73
|rwalk = 23
|trac = 0.07
|rtrac = 14
|airfric = 0.02
|rairfric = 4-9
|air = 0.78
|rair = 23-24
|baseaccel = 0.02
|rbaseaccel = 2-23
|addaccel = 0.04
|raddaccel = 5-11
|gravity = 0.13
|rgravity = 3-5
|fall = 2
|rfall = 10
|ff = 2.6
|rff = 10
|jumpsquat = 6
|rjumpsquat = 23-25
|jumpheight = 27.3
|rjumpheight = 24
|shorthop = 16.4
|rshorthop = 6
|djump = 22.23
|rdjump = 17
|ellag = 5
|rellag = 24-25
}}

===[[Announcer]] call===
[[File: Ganondorf Announcer SSBM.wav]]

===[[Taunt]]===
{{Taunt/SSBM|char=Ganondorf|desc=Hovers in mid-air and spins before laughing menacingly. Both of these poses are very similar to the ones he did before transforming into Ganon. The laugh he makes is also similar to the laugh he does when he hurts Link.}}

===[[List of idle poses (SSBM)|Idle pose]]===
{{Idle|desc=Brings his hands together, then swings his right hand over his head.|image=Ganondorf Idle Pose Melee.gif}}

===[[Crowd cheer]]===
{| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1"
|-
!{{{name|}}}
!Cheer (International)
!Cheer (Japanese)
|-
! scope="row"|Cheer
|[[File:Ganondorf Cheer International SSBM.ogg|center]]||[[File:Ganondorf Cheer Japanese SSBM.ogg|center]]
|-
! scope="row"|Description
|Gaaa-non-doorff...! || Ganondorf! *claps 3 times*
|}

===[[Victory pose]]s===
{{Victory/SSBM
|victory-theme=ZeldaThemeMelee.ogg
|victory-desc=An orchestrated portion of the main theme from ''The Legend of Zelda'' series.
|desc-1=Pumps a victorious fist, then crouches and yells.
|desc-2=With his back facing the camera, Ganondorf turns to face the camera, and holds up his fist, the back of the it facing the viewer. The pose is similar to when he shows off the Triforce of Power in ''Ocarina of Time.''
|desc-3=Spins his sword upward while laughing before thrusting it into the ground. The sword he uses is the same one from the SpaceWorld 2000 tech demo.
|char=Ganondorf}}

==In [[competitive play]]==
===Most historically significant players===
<!--This character has a ten player limit for this section. Before adding and/or removing a player, read these guidelines: https://www.ssbwiki.com/SmashWiki:Notability#%22Most_historically_significant_players%22_guidelines -->
:''See also: [[:Category:Ganondorf players (SSBM)]]''
*{{Sm|Bizzarro Flame|USA}} - Ganondorf main from [[NorCal]] well-known for his eccentric playstyle which focuses heavily on [[technical skill]] such as [[moonwalk]]ing, as well as unusual move choices like the [[Ganondorf (SSBM)/Up tilt|Volcano Kick]] and [[Warlock Punch]]. His best supermajor placements include 25th at {{Trn|Smash 'N' Splash 4}} and {{Trn|GENESIS 2}}, and he has set wins over {{Sm|Fiction}} and {{Sm|Duck}}. Additionally, he infamously beat fellow Ganondorf main Eikelmann 3-0 in a best-of-5 [[Salty Suite]] exhibition during {{Trn|Apex 2015}}. He also placed 9th at the major tournament {{Trn|Kings of Cali 4}} in 2014.
*{{Sm|Eddie|USA}} - Chicago-based Ganondorf player who showed impressive results with his placings at multiple [[Major League Gaming]] events from 2004 to 2006, and other tournaments such as 5th at {{Trn|EVO World 2007}} as a secondary. Considered the best Ganondorf player in the world during this era, ranking 9th on the [[RetroSSBMRank#2001-2003|2001-2003 RetroSSBMRank]] and 25th on the [[Smash Panel Power Rankings]].
*{{Sm|Eikelmann|USA}} - Considered one of the best Ganondorf players in the world around the mid-2010s alongside Bizzarro Flame, placing well at majors such as 13th at {{Trn|DreamHack Denver 2017}}, 17th at {{Trn|Full Bloom 3}} and beating top players such as {{Sm|Fly Amanita}}. Entered an indefinite hiatus following allegations of abuse by former partners and his ban from competition in Colorado.
*{{Sm|Kage|Canada}} - Widely regarded as the best Ganondorf player of all time. A long-time Ganondorf player who had the character's best results throughout most of the competitive history of ''Melee'', placing 3rd at {{Trn|Revival of Melee 2}} (where he double-eliminated {{Sm|Mang0}}) and 5th at {{Trn|Revival of Melee}}, and into the late 2010s, continued to show Ganondorf's strengths at supermajors such as 17th at both {{Trn|The Big House 7}} and {{Trn|The Big House 9}}. He is one of the only Ganondorf players to be consistently present on global rankings, peaking at 34th on the [[2013 SSBMRank]] and last seen at 95th on the [[2019 MPGR]].
*{{Sm|Mekk|USA}} - The best Ganondorf player in the post-Slippi era. A {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}} player who decided to play Ganondorf in order to help with his representation in the metagame, placing 9th at {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2023}} and 13th at {{Trn|Tipped Off 14: Resurgence}}, the former being the best major Ganondorf placement since Bizarro Flame in 2014. His ranking of 44th on the [[SSBMRank 2023]] is the best solo-Ganondorf ranking since Kage's peak in 2013. He was banned from competition after controversies relating to hate speech he posted on social media.
*{{Sm|RockCrock|USA}} - Along with Kage, he was one of the strongest solo Ganondorf players during the late 2000s. Placed well at majors including 13th at {{Trn|Revival of Melee 3}} and 17th at {{Trn|Pound 2}}. The technique known as [[Tech Check]] was formerly named after him. Became semi-active before being banned from competitive play due to sexual misconduct allegations.
*{{Sm|Tipman|USA}} - Florida Ganondorf main mostly active in the mid 2000s and placed 17th at supermajor {{Trn|MLG Orlando 2006}}<!--Mr. Brandandorf, chaddd and Bushman all placed 5th and 9th at Golden Age majors/supermajors-->. Known for popularizing the utility of {{Mvsub|Ganondorf|SSBM|up aerial|poss=y}} as a semi-spike, which led to the technique sometimes being referred to as the "Tipman spike".

===Tier placement and history===
Historically, Ganondorf had been considered a high mid-tiered character, having fluctuated between 8th and 12th for the first eleven tier lists. Although Ganondorf's great power and strong punish game enabled him to maintain a more powerful presence in the early metagame, with strong results from players such as {{Sm|Mr. Brandandorf}}, {{Sm|chaddd}}, {{Sm|Bushman}}, and {{Sm|Linguini}}, this was due to players being less experienced against the character and defensive counterplay being less developed. With a better understanding on how to check Ganondorf, his ground against the characters tiered above him began to falter, and his flaws became more exacerbated due to Ganondorf players struggling to fend off fast-paced and careful approaches from characters like {{SSBM|Fox}} and {{SSBM|Sheik}}. {{SSBM|Yoshi}} and {{SSBM|Pikachu}} have developed vastly improved counterplay to his chaingrabs, with the former now considered favored against Ganon. As a result of metagame shifts at his expense, Ganondorf's tier placement and representation has gradually declined; many of Ganondorf's best players went inactive after the late-2010's and post-pandemic metagame, including {{Sm|Kage}}, {{Sm|Bizzarro Flame}}, and {{Sm|Eikelmann}}, and he currently sits at 14th on the tier list, the lowest he has ever placed. Since then, {{Sm|Mekk}} is the only player to have been ranked on a global scale while primarily using Ganondorf, though he was only ranked in 2023, prior to his ban. As such, Ganondorf's top-level representation remains scarce (with him typically only being ranked globally as a secondary) especially in comparison to other mid-tiered characters, such as {{SSBM|Donkey Kong}} and {{SSBM|Luigi}}. While Ganondorf is still widely viewed as a mid-tiered character, the aforementioned characters have established a top-level threat that precedes him currently in the modern metagame.

==In Single-Player==
===In {{SSBM|Classic Mode}}===
[[File:GanondorfIntro.png|thumb|Ganondorf's unused intro image.]]
Like {{SSBM|Roy}} and {{SSBM|Sheik}}, Ganondorf does not appear as an opponent in the game's Classic Mode, though he can appear as an ally in Team and Giant battles. Despite this, Ganondorf does have an introduction image for the "Now Loading..." screen between matches in the game's files.

===In [[Adventure Mode]]===
Upon being unlocked, Adventure Mode makes no concessions to Ganondorf whatsoever.

===In [[All-Star Mode]]===
In All-Star Mode, Ganondorf and his allies are fought on [[Brinstar Depths]]. Unusually, the music remains unchanged.

===In [[Event Match]]es===
Ganondorf is featured in the following [[Event matches|event matches]]:

*'''[[Event 29: Triforce Gathering]]''': As {{SSBM|Link}} and teamed with Zelda, the player faces Ganondorf on the [[Temple]] stage. If the player has not yet unlocked Ganondorf upon completing this event, they will have the opportunity to do so after defeating him one-on-one.
*'''[[Event 49: All-Star Match Deluxe]]''': Ganondorf is the final opponent the player must fight in this series of staged battles. The player battles him on {{SSBM|Final Destination}}, and their character has two stocks, while Ganondorf has one. With a timer of four minutes, the player must defeat him and the other five characters one-by-one with the overall time and life the player is given: Dr. Mario, Falco, Pichu, {{SSBM|Young Link}}, and Roy.
*'''[[Event 51: The Showdown]]''': The final event match pits the player against a team of [[Giga Bowser#In Super Smash Bros. Melee|Giga Bowser]], {{SSBM|Mewtwo}}, and Ganondorf on the Final Destination stage, without friendly fire, and all four characters having three stocks apiece and unlimited time.

===[[Congratulations_screen#Super_Smash_Bros._Melee|Congratulations Screens]]===
<center><gallery>
GanondorfClassicMode.jpg|Classic Mode
GanondorfAdventureMode.jpg|Adventure Mode
GanondorfAllStarMode.jpg|All-Star Mode
</gallery></center>

==[[Trophies]]==
In addition to the normal trophy about Ganondorf as a character unlocked by completing {{SSBM|Classic Mode}} as Ganondorf on any difficulty, there are two trophies about him as a fighter, unlocked by completing {{SSBM|Adventure Mode}} and [[All-Star Mode]] respectively as Ganondorf on any difficulty. Each of the trophies can also be unlocked by playing 100, 200, and 300 versus matches respectively as Ganondorf:

{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Ganondorf
|image=Ganondorf Trophy Melee.png
|mode=Classic
|desc=Said to be the sole man born to the Gerudo tribe in a hundred years, Ganondorf aspired to conquer the world. He plundered a piece of the sacred Triforce from the Temple of Time when Link pulled the Master Sword from its pedestal. With the Triforce of Power in Ganondorf's possession, Hyrule was plunged into darkness until Link and Zelda defeated the fiend.
|gamelist={{Trophy games|game1=The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|release1=11/98}}
|game=Melee
}}
{{clrl}}

{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Ganondorf
|image=Ganondorf Trophy (Smash).png
|mode=Adventure
|desc=Since he's slow and can't jump very high, Ganondorf relies mainly on his immense physical strength to overwhelm his enemies. His great weight also makes him a difficult foe to send offscreen. Ganondorf's Warlock Punch is slow but absurdly powerful, and when he strikes with his Gerudo Dragon, enemies rise skyward enveloped in dark flames.
|gamelist=:B: Warlock Punch
:Smash B: Gerudo Dragon
|game=Melee
}}
{{clrl}}

{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Ganondorf
|image=Ganondorf Trophy 2 (Smash).png
|mode=All Star
|desc=Ganondorf's slow speed works against him in single combat, but in melees, his crazy power lets him earn his keep with innumerable KOs. Ganondorf can't strike quickly, but each blow he lands adds up. Ganondorf is at his quickest when he uses the Wizard's Foot, and his Dark Dive blasts foes in a burst of dark energy.
|gamelist=:Up & B: Dark Dive
:Down & B: Wizard's Foot
|game=Melee
}}
{{clrl}}

==[[Alternate costume (SSBM)#Ganondorf|Alternate costumes]]==
{|style="margin:1em auto 1em auto;text-align:center"
|-
|colspan=5|[[File:Ganondorf Palette (SSBM).png]]
|-
|{{Head|Ganondorf|g=SSBM|s=25px}}
|{{Head|Ganondorf|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=Red}}
|{{Head|Ganondorf|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=Blue}}
|{{Head|Ganondorf|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=Green}}
|{{Head|Ganondorf|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=Purple}}
|}

==Gallery==
<center>
<gallery>
SSBMWebsiteGanondorf1.jpg|Fighting {{SSBM|Link}} and {{SSBM|Zelda}} on [[Temple]].
Ganondorfbmove.jpg|Using [[Warlock Punch]] on {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}} on [[Princess Peach's Castle]].
SSBMWebsiteGanondorf3.jpg|Using his [[neutral attack]] on {{SSBM|Yoshi}} on [[Pokémon Stadium]].
Ganondorfbdownmove.jpg|Using aerial [[Wizard's Foot]] on {{SSBM|Donkey Kong}} on Temple.
Ganondorfbupmove.jpg|Using [[Dark Dive]] on {{SSBM|Luigi}} on [[Jungle Japes]].
Ganondorfbforwardmove.jpg|Using [[Gerudo Dragon]] on {{SSBM|Mario}}.
</gallery>
</center>

==Trivia==
[[File:Jab 2.png|150px|thumb|Ganondorf's scrapped second Jab from version 1.0 of ''Melee'', which is visible and usable by mods.]]
*In the 1.0 version of ''Melee'', if Ganondorf had a Bunny Hood equipped, he would {{YouTube|FKucAxeQyms|perform a second jab}} during his neutral attack, an apparent leftover from Captain Falcon's moveset. This second jab had no hitboxes however, and was removed in the subsequent versions of ''Melee''.
*Despite being a rather poor jumper, Ganondorf has the highest ledge jump in the game, jumping higher than his more agile counterpart, Captain Falcon, and even {{SSBM|Falco}} (who has the highest normal jumps, and the second highest ledge jump).
*When Ganondorf's trophies are viewed under the "night"/"dark" background in the Trophy Gallery, his eyes glow. He is the only character whose trophy holds this trait.
*Ganondorf's hand is briefly seen during Link's montage in the introduction to ''Melee'', making him one of the five hidden characters, along with {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}}, {{SSBM|Mewtwo}}, {{SSBM|Young Link}}, and {{SSBM|Pichu}}, to have some kind of involvement with the intro.
*An unused voice clip of Ganondorf saying "Ooya!" appears in ''Melee''{{'}}s [[Sound Test]]. This clip was reused in ''[[Brawl]]'' as his [[Wii Remote selection sound]], despite Ganondorf's design and voice actor changing to those of ''Twilight Princess''.
**Sakurai did not plan to include Ganondorf as a playable character in ''Melee'', only including him later in development because a model was already provided and his body had a very similar build to Captain Falcon's, allowing him to be easily added on as a last minute clone of Captain Falcon.
*Strangely, in his challenger approaching screen, Ganondorf appears to have no cape, more closely matching his design in the promo art of ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time''.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/1218/index.html Ganondorf's page at Smabura-Ken] ([[smashwiki:26TP/Ganondorf|Translation]])

{{SSBMCharacters}}
{{Zelda universe}}
[[Category:Ganondorf (SSBM)| ]]
[[Category:Trophies (SSBM)]]
[[es:Ganondorf (SSBM)]]
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