Wind Waker Ending Cutscene

[@CegeRoles]

For the first time ever in the series, the Final Boss wasn't a monster; just a sad, tired old man.

[@asura2020]

That’s what being sealed underwater for years does to a man.

[@chrislecount4801]

Yeah, Ganondorf feels… almost… sympathetic. Like his motives are deeper than “because he’s evil.”

[@NameName2.0]

@@chrislecount4801 Ganondorf: I'm... so tired of this shit, please, I just want to win.

[@MarkFendy-sw7hn]

Yeah and just because you had a hard life what you had lost what you are and where ever you came from doesn't give you the right to become so meanful powerful ruthless and taking over everything killing people animals! But at this point this was the only ganondorf I sort of felt bad for! But link took care of him so Ganon wouldn't feel painful angry anymore!

[@shishanyu]

lol, this comment is exactly why serial killers get fan mail

[@kneesurgeryenthusiast6915]

i just love the fact that instead of using energy orbs or stuff like that Ganondorf just punches the shit out of link

[@briarmason8737]

"We here at Nintendo do not condone child violence. We do, however, find it hilarious."

[@cann2828]

@@briarmason8737 Most sane japanese worker

[@asura2020]

He figured that was the least lethal option for what he wanted to do. He really didn’t want to kill Link at that point, just neutralize him and weaken him enough to be able to get his triforce piece.

[@Hatchmatic]

Man knows better than to play tennis with the Master Sword again.

[@shadowgoat9778]

So, you're a TFS fan...

[@mallardman9776]

Link is the Windwaker. From that context, Ganondorf's speech is even more tragic. You've spent the game making the wind your ally. It saves you and aids you in your quest unconditionally. Ganondorf by contrast spent his entire life controlled by the wind seeing it as only an uncaring bringer of death.

[@hawks-wings]

So Ganondorf essentially sees this child as the deathbringer.

[@KeiTh0r]

​@@hawks-wings"LITTLE SHIT TOOK MY VILLAGE!" - Ganondorf, probably

[@natirasohumana]

He had the entire kingdom of Hyrule under his hands and he decided to turn that into a wasteland of death as well

[@gama103]

@@natirasohumanawhat power does to a mf

[@linkxmidna57]

This is why I love this version of Link, because they wrote him as an actual kid in this. He does jump and cheer after beating the dungeon boss but here, he’s absolutely exhausted. Beating a hard-ass puppet left him weary but then after climbing the tower, he gets the shit kicked out of him. Looking back, I’m surprised those punches didn’t give him brain damage. Then after beating Ganon, exhaustion kicks in and he almost falls to the floor because at the end of the day, he’s just a little kid with a giant sword.

[@alejandrocamberosrodriguez4222]

"He's just a little kid with a giant sword" Love that phrase, because it's both literal and figurative: he is carrying a giant sword that, realistically, he shouldn't be able to carry, but at the same time he's been burdened with a legacy, a duty, that he did not seek out: he just wanted to find his sister. And that burden becomes stronger with time: only until he stabs Ganondorf with that sword, and lays that sword to rest, can he truly take stock of everything he's done. And with King Daphnes' "blessing" he goes out to the world, knowing that he can't go back to Outset, like the freed prisoner can't return to Plato's cavern.

[@buttpiratesbuttpirate5913]

​@Alejandro Camberos Rodríguez absolutely eloquent and beautifully said.

[@sartenazo8106]

Wind Waker is truly an amazing game

[@iliya1933]

@@alejandrocamberosrodriguez4222Wait, why can’t he go back to Outset?

[@namegoeshere8564]

@@iliya1933I think it’s more of a figurative thing, he can’t go back to just being that kid on outset island after everything that happened

[@Timelesshero1711]

Who else's heart broke as a kid when Link reached for King Hyrule's hand, and he reached back but didn't grab Link's hand?

[@jervissk8924]

I did, but a some part of me saw why he made his decision.

[@olympianstar1406]

Especially considering the fact that the King of Hyrule is the boat that helped you the entire game.

[@Waterbottlez_]

Yep. as a kid, I just thought “why wouldn’t he go with them?”

[@buttpiratesbuttpirate5913]

Daphnes reaching for Link's hand and then deciding not to take it was fucking heartbreaking. The king knew; he *knew* his death would be giving Link and Zelda a chance to a new life. His sacrifice was necessary but by no means light; the King sowed the seeds for the future

[@theredguardowen8083]

@@buttpiratesbuttpirate5913 if the king lived, Hyrule may have lived with him, though his death, he assured that a new world, one free of the mistakes that brought ruin to the the old one wouldn’t happen again.

[@CheeseBlaster]

The thing I Iove about Wind Waker, is that it arguably has the best version of Ganondorf. He has his goals, motives, he feels like a real person. Most other ganons are just brainless killing machines, which does suit him in some ways, it indeed is nice to see his more human side.

[@carlsagan2607]

He’s almost like pain

[@carcerharlson9767]

Wind Waker's Ganondorf had REAL character development and gave us some kind of relation and sympathy towards him. It is, as you've said: every other version of Gandondorf/Ganon was just the "big bad" that needed to be put down. Wind Waker's version of Ganondorf gave us a glimpse at not the sorcerer, demon king or grand manipulator, but the man, that was Ganondorf. I'm hoping Breath of the Wild II will allow all of us to relate to him on some level, even being the bad*ss Redead lich that he has become.

[@angelofdeath275]

its because its the same ganondorf from ocarina of time. hes literally had years to reflect, and formulate a plan

[@legomystego815]

You would have never gotten this version of Ganondorf without Ocarina of Time, to be fair. But yes, this is the best Ganondorf. I'm hopeful we get to see him as more than a corpse in BOTW2

[@Shiny_SSB]

the ganondorf from this game is the same ganon in oot, alttp and TP, so yeah it's the same person. EDIT: and also there is really only one version of ganondorf, there are multiple ganons though.

[@Tynov_msk]

You know, when Ganondorf talks about his country being in a desert, you can see Link being as confused as he can be. He doesn't even know what a desert is, he lived on the sea all his life! On another note, man do i have goosebumps about Ganondorf's dialogue... the parallels between wind and death, and wind and Link (Hero of the Winds, you know the thing), that left me sad. His final line, "the wind is blowing", not only saying "the hero of winds have slain me", but also "death is coming"... i genuinly felt like a bad guy, fighting against another bad guy don't get me wrong, but not si different.

[@redcube1676]

Damn, I never realized that Link was confused when Ganondorf talked about the desert.

[@hawks-wings]

Link always seemed confused by whatever Ganondorf was saying. Which makes sense. The poor kid is twelve.

[@madduxnagel6935]

Oh THAT’S why he has that expression. I always thought he was just thinking, “Is this guy seriously still trying to talk at me?”

[@christinacumba787]

This ending was amazing to me because it has such a violent ending for a game with cartoon graphics.

[@Crowgale]

christina cumba I mean did Miyamoto-san just think to himself during pre-development in 1999: "The next Zelda game should make full use of the Gamecubes graphic engine and appeal to a younger audience so we can compete with PS2 and Xbax... I'm gonna make it the ending the most dramatic and violent one in the series"

[@SpaghettDev]

There isn't blood you know

[@glaciiz]

I was ver confused

[@radioactiveseaotter]

TheGamer 456 ocarina of time had blood in it’s final boss and it wasn’t this brutal

[@_Just_Another_Guy]

​@@SpaghettDev There's literally explicit depiction of maiming/stabbing when Link impaled Ganondorf straight through the skull. You don't always need blood to show very graphic depictions of violence.

[@jonathancangelosi2439]

I didn’t pay much attention to Ganondorf’s words when I first saw this cutscene. My only thought was “must kill bad guy lol.” But looking back at it, he shows so much personality in this scene. Wanting for himself the winds of blessing rather than death. He envied the kingdom of Hyrule. And so he decided to use any means necessary to get the Triforce so he could have his wish. He knocks Link unconscious so he can take the Triforce, but he shows restraint in saying “I will not kill you.” This paints Ganondorf as less of a mindless killer, and more like a cunning opportunist. And when his plan is subdued by the King of Hyrule, he holds still for a moment as if in shock, and then just laughs. He went mental in that moment because his life’s goal just vanished before his eyes in an instant. When you realize this, you perceive the fight differently. Link is fighting a broken man. Ganondorf’s last stand is a “fuck you” to the world that robbed him of his life’s desires. This is especially evident when he says “a future... for you? Let me show you just what hope you have... See how much your precious Triforce is worth!” He is making a statement that the world was cruel to him, and it will be cruel to Link, Zelda, and the King as well. His moral compass that kept him from killing Link is gone now. He’s taking it upon himself to dole out punishment, and denigrating the gods of the Triforce in the process. In a way, Ganondorf is taking a stand against the gods themselves. He knows fighting is futile, but he does it anyway because what the hell else can he do but die a tragic villain’s death? When Ganondorf gets stabbed through the head, his last words reference the very same winds of death that befell his people. At this point, I think Ganondorf accepted that he would suffer the same fate, and perhaps that was the fate he always deserved. Link stares at Ganondorf’s body turned to stone and his sword and he just falls over from his wounds and possibly trauma over killing a human being. There was so much emotion in Link’s face in that moment. And then the King gives his speech. He feels immense guilt for leaving behind such a cruel world for his successors. He says farewell to his beloved kingdom and finally faces atonement for his sins by drowning with Hyrule (despite Link and Zelda begging him not to), leaving the future to the generations succeeding him. Link and Tetra awaken by the pirate ship and continue to go about their lives, building the future that the King wished for them. Damn, this ending was powerful. Possibly the best in the series.

[@MJ-dy8iy]

Jonathan Cangelosi yeah it’s sad but true Ganon is broken and numb you can tell he’s tired this is the same case as murdoc he’s broken and abused as he grew.

[@jodonthesith7172]

FINALLY SOMEONE GETS IT! Wind waker is far too under appreciated. And let’s talk about how this is possibly the most believable Link. He didn’t CHOOSE this. He’s not even the hero chosen by the gods. All he wanted to do was save his sister. Having a sister myself, this is super relatable, because I would go through hell or high water (pun intended) for her. He just kinda, gets wrapped up in things. After saving Aryll, he COULD just stay on outset island, but at that point he realizes the situation at hand. He is also probably the most expressive Link. Damn they did this game justice.

[@stoheha]

My dude. This is one powerfully elegant analysis. You are too good for a KZbin comment section. I bet Nintendo themselves were not aware of what you wrote.

[@brianwishon7322]

It blows my mind that people still claim Wind Waker is childish when this entire scene alone proves how dark and thematic it actually is. The fact that Hyrule was flooded by the gods and became a legend right off the bat should’ve tipped them off. But no, cartoony graphics obviously mean it’s a bad Zelda game🙄

[@jodonthesith7172]

Yeah most of those people just didn’t pay any attention to the story for the sake of hating it. Which is a shame since the story is possibly one of the best.

[@diskographi]

"A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit"

[@BobManHobbit]

And so the Dekus sprout once again

[@SohiHien]

I love how at the end of beating ganondorf this Link is actually exhausted and a little injured, Zeld/Tetra has to catch him so he doesn't faceplant into the ground. In all the other games he just seems to shrug off the most epic and grueling fight like it's nothing. You just had some insane battle man! I know you are a Hero but there is no way you aren't at least tired after all that!

[@zackjo6718]

SohiHien I agree, this link had a more personality than some of the others.

[@derrickdaniels3955]

well link is a kid here so he can easily be hurt and isn't as developed as his adult or teenage incarnations

[@mozzerellacheese5526]

Yeah and In botw you awake after 100 yrs from a fatal injury that put you in said 100 yr recovery essentially botw is like if link failed in windwaker

[@AudreyToothpast]

Twilight princess link just RUNS straight after the battle acting like he didn’t just fight a 4 phase battle with ganondorf

[@brianwishon7322]

Audrey Lopez I’m fairly certain TP Link is easily the strongest Link considering he lifted Gorons with his arms alone, and later throw Ganondorf off of him in a sword struggle while Ganondorf is holding the triforce of power. Other Links use bracelets or gauntlets, but TP Link uses raw strength💪

[@Gbloom829]

This was the best Ganondorf for sure.

[@DolusVulpes]

Agreed, it's rare to see so much personality and character from him, even if it's only for one scene. But that's all he usually gets anyway.

[@neuro1073]

Memento Mori I hope the botw 2 ganon/ganondorf is as good as this one. But I’m keeping my expectations low for now. Btw wind waker has the best soundtrack! (This is just my nostalgia talking...)

[@malachiroy8858]

Link and she will always come pick up the princess of Hyrule see name her “Zelda!” I wanna first still waking her to sleeping 😴 I love 💕 you have a wonderful day too right used powerful Master Sword 🗡 is Stone really a great long on your defeated by sorcerer Ganondorf forever quest adventure fantasy King Daphne has just been an epic boat 🚣 with another the King of red Lion 🦁 very our hero and the princess here back home farewell to say goodbye friends me After the world questions Hyrule Land.

[@SirBlackReeds]

Sucks that they didn't make this one playable in Smash Ultimate.

[@gerarquiaFM]

@Fluffynator he isn't even canon

[@clampfan101]

We start to feel a taste of Ganondorf’s pain after playing BotW, needing heat and cold protection in the desert.

[@FightStar57]

isn't it odd how wonderful waker Is the only game on the series where we actually hear the hylian language spoken?

[@fiasco1770]

Hoyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

[@grandmasterjayd1184]

Well Skyward Sword and Twilight Princess too. Anytime Fi and Midna speak.

[@zombies4evadude24]

*wonderful waker*

[@moemuxhagi]

@@grandmasterjayd1184 Actually, I believe Midna speaks Twili. Like how the Gerudo speak Gerudo.

[@jordanlucas7392]

@@moemuxhagi I don't think so. How would Link understand her?

[@Weldedhodag]

OoT ganon was corrupted by power, but WW Ganon, the same ganon from OoT had been humbled to the point that all he wanted was what he originally desired for him and his people. A land where the wind would not deliver suffering and death to his people. He wanted the Gerudo to live again without the constant suffering and hardship, but Daphnes denied him this relief. Thus, Wind Waker Ganon died with an immense amount of grief and remorse in his heart. Truly the most tragic Ganondorf

[@briansilva3344]

This is the Ganondorf who never got to start his plan. He swore allegiance to the King, only for the King to oust him because 2 kids didn't like him.

[@Johnstalkyshow]

@@briansilva3344 I think that was the twilight princess Ganondorf. This one was the one defeated by the Hero of Time.

[@Crttyt67]

@@Johnstalkyshowyeah Wind Waker in the the adult timeline and ironically is the only one where Ganondorf is dead dead

[@yukimura4574]

Ganondorf never once mentioned that he wanted good things for the Gerudo. He utilized them the same way he utilized everyone else XD

[@Joe_334]

This is so ironic, because later on in BoTW/ToTK, the Gerudo don't allow men in their village to prevent another possible Ganon. The Gerudo in OoT despise him, Starting with Nabooru.

[@Sealedaway]

I’ve always appreciated the story of Wind Waker especially. And that’s because of a central theme that is barely found in the other Zelda games: letting go of the past. For a series that is so often about ancient conflicts, realizing your destiny and connecting with your heritage, it’s nice to have a story specifically about moving on. Note how the king rejects the idea of a ”new Hyrule”. I read it as him realizing the past mistakes of his kingdom that led up to this point. He wants to truly let go of the land he is so attached to, to avoid cursing the new era with repeating the errors of old. But of course the game also doesn’t want you to just forget about the past. All the relics of old like the Wind Waker and the Master Sword let Link come this far, and had the king not guided Link on his journey, no one could’ve stood up to Ganondorf. Learn from the past but do not dwell on it. Stand on the shoulders of the giants who came before you and reach new heights with their aid. Create something new that corrects the wrongs of its predecessor. All things must eventually end, and fighting against it is always a losing battle. Focus on what you have rather than what you had. Keep moving forward.

[@IkanaMaskedMan]

I needed to read this... Thanks

[@Sealedaway]

Coming back to this comment almost a year later, I can’t believe I didn’t mention Ganondorf. What makes him the villain in this story is precisely his inability to let go of the past. He seeks the power to wish for anything in the whole world, and when he finally achieves it he wishes for… Hyrule to belong to him. A dead forgotten kingdom buried beneath the ocean. There is no power to gain from it. His people are long gone. He covets a wind that has not blown for hundreds of years. This is the irrationality of fetishizing the past. It blinds you, makes you stupid. But it’s also an easy trap to fall into when it’s all you have ever known. Ganondorf wishes for a dead kingdom because he can’t fathom the world being any other way. It shouldn’t be lost on us that the story requires two optimistic children to defeat one stubborn old man.

[@hamdepaf6686]

You also have a big themes of letting go of your kids and allowing them to be their own persons. There are many parent figures in this game that all showcase different approaches to their parentage.

[@KyanosBFF]

The ending scenes are much more impactful when you do not have Arin and Danny screaming in your ears.

[@hahaphd6856]

Listening to those two is just... cancer.

[@joseluisprz94]

What do you mean?

[@WhiffleWaffles]

Who said you had to listen to them? It's called free will.

[@VectormanRxQueen]

Akyanos lol

[@imbatmanbutindisguise]

@@joseluisprz94 (Game grumps)

[@unclebenjamin9825]

This game has the best ending in the franchise.

[@SirBlackReeds]

Then Nintendo ruined it.

[@gerarquiaFM]

@@SirBlackReeds how?

[@jaob8855]

if only we had another game with the hero of the winds

[@Paradox-xm9zq]

@@SirBlackReeds ???

[@FRESH-LUMPIA]

@@gerarquiaFM with phantom hour glass

[@GODZILLA2915]

King: “That land will be YOUR land.” Zelda later on: “I’mma callin’ it Hyrule.”

[@LordMalice6d9]

We don't like to talk about Spirit tracks.

[@Bandikit]

@@LordMalice6d9 I like to talk about spirit tracks...

[@tr4nsg0th1ca]

*New Hyrule

[@zackjo6718]

Even with breath of the wild out, this game still takes first for story, it just has such a great ending. Breath of the wild has better gameplay and world, but man this ending.

[@wheat_thins6328]

Zachary Johnson Skyward Sword is my pick for best story.

[@Thierce]

I mean out of all the 3D Zelda games Botw is easily the best contender for the worst and least fleshed out story and main villain.

[@SpaghettDev]

I know right and I finished all the game and bought a switch. Revisited it and it hit me with nostalgia

[@GrandCorsair]

I love botw but the story frustrated me. There is lots of potential stories and even lore. So I'm glad they are revisiting it with Hyrule Warriors and botw 2 but I do wish the first game had a more tighter story.

[@SirBlackReeds]

@@GrandCorsair Really makes you wish BOTW had been a reboot or new IP, huh?

[@novadante1975]

"that land will not be hyrule... IT WILL BE YOUR LAND" best and most impactful line in any video game ever, change my mind

[@CesarACastillo]

War… War Never Changes. This line rings true even today with the War in the Ukraine

[@iSeeEZEkill]

Idk man. When Mario said "it's a me, Mario"... I felt that.

[@aliegan2109]

I absolutely love this line.

[@AdventuresAwait123]

Beautiful. Can't think of a better one.

[@AdventuresAwait123]

@@iSeeEZEkill😂

[@BlockSquad1000]

King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule was such a great man. As the final king of Hyrule, he did everything he could to save the kingdom. He did what any great leader would, and that is wish for the future of Hyrule. He knew someday that the kingdom would rise again, but in the end accepted that there was nothing he could do.

[@lewis9950]

I love this game and all but couldn't he have wished things to go back to normal and just get rid of Ganondorf for good?

[@BlockSquad1000]

+Rukia Kuchiki's Husbando He states that he lived bound Hyrule, making him no better than Ganondorf. He wishes for there to be a new Hyrule for a new generation of people and for the old land of Hyrule to forever disappear.

[@DaDunge]

You do know he pretty much orchestrated the entire sequence of events of Windwaker right to get his hands on the triforce. My guess is he didn't decide to wish differently than Ganon until the last moment.

[@DaDunge]

+Rukia Husbando Not without taking Ganondorf's place as the king of evil, the triforce wasn't meant to rant wishes, and if a person with a selfish wish lays his hand on the triforce then it that taint casts hyrule into an age of darkness.

[@DaDunge]

+EuroFighter 380 Pretty sure that's in a diffrent timeline.

[@MegMew]

Who realises the King of Red Lions is just a normal and dead boat after beating Ganon?

[@RMJ1984]

:´-(

[@nicboi3531]

"Now! Let us put an end to that which binds us forever!" maybe, just maybe, he wanted to put an end to the curse demise places on the 3 of them.

[@FlamingZelda3]

I think he means the struggle for the pieces of the triforce. Then again, maybe the Triforce could have granted his wish to be free from the curse of the Gerudo? (demise's curse) Either way we'll never know cause the king of Hyrule is a blind, easily fooled, goody-two shoes who makes a lousy father. (Like seriously, every game is "King of Hyrule Fucked up, now Link's gotta come save them")

[@aomidori_7]

Well demise’s curse doesn’t exist. NoA botched it. It’s actually the curse of the demon tribe, which existed before Demise. Demise is a reincarnation of it, and so is Ganon

[@generaltechnomage306]

@@aomidori_7 It also likely created other villains, such as Vaati (who was evil even before Ganon came into existence).

[@Weldedhodag]

considering Toon Link has no relation to SS Link's bloodline, it actually did break the curse

[@sinfulgaze8476]

Yeah but like if you realize how many times link has been born its basically another version of Link having another mini version of him in each game LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

[@Dracogame]

The most depressing thing about this ending is the fact that the Master Sword is alive and gets imprisoned forever with Ganon.

[@condogster]

Fi is asleep though. She has no thoughts or anything unless she is awoken by Hylia

[@DolusVulpes]

That idea hadn't been invented yet at the time this game was made, though.

[@TwilightLink77]

Unless she is reincarnated as Link’s future swords in the Wind Waker trilogy.

[@darthdragon117]

@Holy Guacamole That...actually explains his corpse in the trailer. Someone call game theory!

[@Hebiiiii1]

Dracogame no the fact that we don’t see links grandma means she died with the flood

[@memorableman3709]

10:25 Aryll’s eyes trembling as she tries desperately to choke back her tears makes ME tear up too every single time I see it.

[@carcerharlson9767]

Best little sister in Zelda history. Also the only little sister in Zelda history, but who cares?

[@linkenski]

Something about people leaving their loved ones without knowing how far they'll go or when they'll return. It's just too relatable.

[@Spiketrooper]

This Ganondorf was a broken shell of a man. Seeing his one desire crumble right at the peak of his power completely broke his sanity. That laugh was not one of anguish, or despair, it was psychotic.

[@ablosch2452]

This motivation about him coveting a land that isn’t full of constant suffering like where he came from is a much better motive behind his megalomaniacal desires, than Skyward Sword’s explanation of “He’s the manifestation of Demise’s pure hatred so he’s just born that way.”

[@Teknanam]

The Demise justification still works. Despite Ganondorf's noble's ends, he brought Hyrule to ruin while his Gerudo sisters continued to languish in the desert. He still became a power hungry Tyrant who despite already conquering Hyrule and laying castle town to ruin, still felt he needed the Triforce.

[@dangernoodle5831]

@@Teknanam I agree. I think people fixate too much on the ‘Demise reincarnation/curse’ aspect. Attributing Ganondorf’s character to merely being a result of the demon clans hatred. I think it’s better viewed from the perspective that Ganondorf was an initially well intentioned ruler for his tribe, but shaped by his environment and over ambition progressively became a corrupt and power hungry monster. Through this he became the personification of that malice and hatred. So less so: he was filled with malice and hatred from demise’s curse and became evil. Rather: His actions and hunger for power eventually led him to become that culmination of hatred and evil.

[@trainman5675]

​@Danger Noodle true enough. One could argue that he is destined to fall every time due to the blood of the goddess appearing eternally. But in most iterations he always seems to try. To bring prosperity for the gerudo. But then loses himself once he gains power.

[@qwmx]

would say he's "on the right track baby?" had to quote lady gaga

[@lobomobo6452]

The saddest part is, Link is still riding King of Red Lions. But he's lifeless, just a wooden boat.

[@TheOtherDrManhattan]

Similarly sad moment happens in Minish Cap. Ezlo was the elder that takes the form of Link's cap, and while he doesn't die at the end, he might as well have in Link's eyes since the door to the place he went only opens every hundred years. All Link was left with after was a normal green cap

[@zauztheblacksmith]

I always saw it as a replica Link commissioned out of respect for his old partner. After all, the actual boat was in Hyrule when it got completely flooded.

[@xana3961]

The entire story of Ganondorf is a true tragedy of both his own hand and the machinations of a malicious ancient demon. As man, Gandorf sought the prosperity of his people. A people who had to thieve and were cursed to a land of death and ruin. And right next doir was Hyrule, a paradise of bountiful harvests and winds of life. It would be natural for any king of any people to seek out the lands of hyrule for the survival and prosperity of his own people if nothing else. His own power lust and the expectations placed upon him by his tribe brought him down a darker path where he sought more than what his people needed. But this wasnt completely his fault. It wasnt his fault nor his choice to be born into Demise's everlasting cycle of hatred and death. He didnt choose to be the perfect vessel for Demise's malice. Demise amplified his malice towards hyrule. He had to seek revenge, for his people of course. He had to make Hyrule suffer like his people had. And while he was at it, make those wretched Goddesses, all four of them who cursed Gerudo with death, watch as their precious world and peoples are blighted by his hate. Poor Ganondorf. A man who couldn't escape fate, who tried and failed to being prosperity to his people because of his own actions, and worst of all would forever be known in both hylian and gerudo legend as the demon king. He, the demon king who brought the death he sought to end to both the innocent and the people he swore to bring to prosperity.

[@jacksong2394]

Xana Another interesting fact is that Ganondorf’s swords translate to something like “Protector of Gerudos” in Japanese.

[@billyartiga2899]

Also we could blame twinrova for ganondorf evil path since they were his surrogate mothers and they probably influenced him to be the way he was

[@SirBlackReeds]

Demise hadn't been created at this point though. The fact is that after witnessing the fields of Hyrule and being able to move freely throughout the country, he wanted more. He took whatever measures he deemed necessary to take it for himself. He could have chosen to give up his title of king and live life in the greens of Hyrule, but he didn't.

[@FlamingZelda3]

@@SirBlackReeds Even before the "Demise" explanation made later, there was an understanding in the Zelda Community that Gannondorf was the human incarnate of the Demon King Gannon. People knew that when the man Gannondorf got his hand on the Tri-Force he turned into Gannon as seen in Ocarina of time and a Link to the past. (I remember my older brother explaining this to me in 2005)

[@its_drez]

@@SirBlackReeds I think it's fair on his part to make that analysis, though. Even if the game itself was released later, it takes place before on the timeline. He can make conjecture about Ganondorf's underlying motivations based on the lore of Skyward Sword because that's how Nintendo intended it to be in the first place.

[@fiasco1770]

Poor dude's been killed like five times just leave him alone.

[@hued2542]

Twenty years later and this is still the best iteration of ganondorf . I truly do wonder if Nintendo will revisit this concept of ocean traversal in the next entry in the series. The only place botw hasn’t gone is underwater

[@BadKarma444]

Totk ganondorf definitely has his charm, and second to Demise himself he might be the most imposing iteration yet. But WW Dorf just has so much nuance and character that he’s still my favorite

[@Ki-pk5or]

Phantom Hourglass this did it again tho lol

[@SenetTheSnek]

I'm surprised this moment doesn't reach Top 10 Saddest Zelda moments. This was literally the past Hyrule saying goodbye and how their mistakes caused this whole problem to happen. And even when they are given a second chance, he accepts his mistakes and allows them to create their own future. Combined with the somber Hyrule Castle theme makes this even sadder.

[@zachmartin6058]

Remember in this timeline, Ganondorf had taken over hyrule long ago before the gods flooded the world. He knew the taste of victory and he knew that his arrogance and blind lust for power led to his demise, hence why I think this version of him is so much more introspective than usual.

[@matiaspereyra9375]

Ah, but child....That land will not be Hyrule. IT will be YOUR land! Zelda *Lets call it NEW Hyrule *

[@TreeckoBro]

0:54 That bit always gives me chills.

[@saturnhaswings3617]

5:12 this two foot tall boy just killed a man. He is now scarred.

[@FlamingZelda3]

Yeah, but now he's a got a hot girlfriend -you win some you lose some.

[@mr.awesome6011]

As much as I love Ganondorf in this game particularly in this scene, I can't not bust out laughing at the king's Banjo- Kazooie style gibberish talk while he is making his wish upon the Triforce

[@tristendaniels2966]

This game and Twilight Princess are tied for my favorite Zelda.

[@tristendaniels2966]

Funny i like the most badass Zelda and the most cartooney Zelda

[@JoshNiemi]

+Tristen Daniels Wind Waker is very close to my favorite. I'm actually playing Twilight now and I'm loving it!

[@kemanorel3110]

For me it's tied between Breath of the Wild and Majora's Mask.

[@ericnorthmen4118]

@@kemanorel3110 agreed. My favorites are always the ones harshly judged at first then loved later. Wind waker was scorned for years due to cell shading which aged it timelessly. Majoras mask and botq

[@sneezerwheezer_peoplepleaser]

I'm gonna get a lot of hate for this, I think my favorite is tied with either Ocarina of Time or Skyward Sword. I love those games.

[@corruptedmilk2481]

windwaker had some bloody good writing

[@alexanderadams9058]

Honestly! Like, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom has pretty good writing for side characters, townspeople, etc. But this game's writing is in a league of its own. I don't think I'll ever forget Ganondorf's speech for as long as I'll live. What a monumental writing accomplishment it is for me to feel pity towards a character that has done nothing but wipe out entire civilizations, but by God this game did it!

[@lorelikesthings]

u know, Ganondorf in Wind Waker is the best. I've never played the game myself, but from what I gathered, it seemed as though Ganondorf was simplly trying to do what's best for his people. It seems as though he wants to break the endless cycle of Demise, but he needs to kill Link and Zelda to do it. In that ending scene, it seemed like Ganondorf truly wore regret and sorrow on his face. His story's quite tragic, and it seems he never wanted to kill Link in the first place.

[@generaltechnomage306]

And the saddest part is that he failed to share his prosperity with his Gerudo subjects, like he originally wanted; that's probably his biggest regret in life.

[@basedku1326]

he was always supposed to be demon king ganon, demise is just ganon on steroids

[@kurimc.mystic5341]

I thing the best part is that the Master Sword is sealed away in the depths of the ocean along with Ganondorf and the Kingdom of Hyrule. Meaning that it truly marks the end if the old times and the beginning of a new age.

[@RedShirt00000]

As much as I love pure evil Ganondorf, this version has always stood out to me as the best Ganondorf

[@shadowsintox9]

The look on his face at 0:54 I cant believe I missed it as a kid. So many years ago.

[@Bandikit]

Just a sad, broken man...

[@postmoderncory]

I didn't appreciate how sad Windwaker's story was when I played it as a little kid. This ending cutscene is truly haunting in a way, especially the moment when Link reaches out for the king as the gods wash Hyrule away.

[@demo0831]

you know the sadist part is ganondorf wad trying to end the curse of demise

[@TheRahyah]

But then the malice of demise was like... how about no... and then he reverted to being shitty

[@jordanlucas7392]

He really wasn't. He's a liar

[@toshio1334]

Poor Aryll ... She got kidnapped by a bird, watched her brother get yeeted, then her brother comes back, then pirates take her away, she finally gets to be with her brother again on their home island...then her brother decides to leave said island where she will most likely never see him again.

[@MrJmZack]

Could you imagine a future where the Deku Tree's wish to grow vast forests and drain the sea eventually comes true…? And the barnacle-encrusted ruins of ancient Hyrule come to light, with this stone holding the legendary blade…what do you think would happen if some hero came along and drew that sword? Would we see a revival of Ganon in the Adult Timeline?? :-D

[@linktheheroofhyrule2498]

I can see Nintendo doing that later

[@zombies4evadude24]

•o• that sounds interesting

[@matheusmartins7546]

Ah yes train goes choo choo

[@Kspice9000]

I like how Links face is just "dude I seriously dont care, I just want this acid trip of day to end."

[@PilotW65]

Seeing the empty eye sockets of the King of Red Lions is a tear jerker

[@henryb5263]

Wind Waker is my second favorite TLOZ game of all time. And goddesses, how I cried when I first finished this game. Watching this still gives me chills all these years after.

[@shinobuoshino3933]

I’ve played through WW many times since it first came out for GameCube. However, I just noticed for the first time that Ganondorf’s tower is in the Gerudo Desert. (As seen in the scene before the final battle) *Face Palm* I wish they didn’t have to time crunch this game back then. Exploring Hyrule to revive the master sword from the bottom of the two temples would’ve been beyond nostalgic and fun, compared to the tease we were given. It makes you wonder where the ocarina was kept safe after all these years too. 🤔

[@amanofnoreputation2164]

The Triforce did not neglect to grant Gannondrof's wish as well, as the lands of Gerudo would be incorporated into the Kingdom of Hyrule and the Shekiah would build Vah Naboris to tame the winds and storms.

[@bowenorcutt78]

Damn shame GanonDORF never showed up in Breath of the Wild. Would've been nice to hear lines like this spoken by a voice actor.

[@hyperiorv1379]

3 months later. HMMMMMMMM?!?!

[@popthisway]

Maybe we can hope a voice actor for Ganondorf in the sequel of Breath of the Wild????? I'm with very high hopes since I watched the video that Nintendo published a few months ago.

[@liamdalemon1525]

@@hyperiorv1379 I think dehydrated gannondorf would sound a bit too sinister rather than him having the deep voice we all want to hear

[@schmecklin377]

@Jake the Astronaut damn. they befriend ganandorf, and end up having to kill him to seal the evil spirit of ganon. that is dark

[@cubeofmeat4982]

REHYDRATED ONCE AGAIN

[@tonsky9700]

2:38 "Well you sit down!"

[@liamdalemon1525]

king: Gods of the triforce! hear tha- ganondorf: OH NO YOU DON'T! (ganondorf grinds the kings face)\ ganondorf: AS I WAY SAYING... TRIFORCE, PLEASE RETURN HYRULE TO IT'S FORMER GLORY! (everything goes back to normal) Ganondorf: okay now I'm gonna take these kids home peacefully and you can go fu*k yourself

[@zom8680]

Ganondorf : pouring out his soul to explain his motivations Link : o.O!?

[@missm8067]

The ending where everybody comes back on the ship for the finale is very touching. ❤️ It’s my personal head canon that they all went back to Outset Island to return Aryll and Link introduced his grandma to all of his new friends before setting sail once again 😊

[@georgem.6076]

My favorite version of Ganon. “I coveted that wind I suppose” 😞

[@sarsgarrs]

I always give this version of ganondorf the voice of Christopher lee in my head "do not fear, I will not kill you" sounds just like a Saruman line.

[@DolusVulpes]

It's interesting to see glimpses of the man Ganondorf used to be before he went insane with his lust for power. It really makes you wonder what he'd be like if he were free of Demise's curse.

[@kenneld]

I appreciate how they incorporated the frigid nights and burning days of Gerudo mentioned here into the gameplay of BoTW and ToTK.

[@Semelem]

The first scene makes me wish this was a game where the villain wins. It would’ve created massive sequel potential

[@TheBlindRaven]

Wind Waker still one of my fav Zelda games off all time. Love the story. Love the quarkiness. Has pirates has ships. Has a master sword that actually does something unlike the one in botw and totk. Also has Dragon Roost, that song will stick with me for the rest of my life.

[@TheBlindRaven]

Oh man my spelling in this is horrendous.

[@alexanderadams9058]

​@@TheBlindRavenHey man, you were expressing your absolute love for Windwaker; so what if it has awful spelling. To be honest it adds to the pure joy this comment gives off so don't feel too bad!

[@TheBlindRaven]

@@alexanderadams9058 awww thank you friend. This is a sweet reply. You have a great Friday!

[@alexanderadams9058]

@@TheBlindRaven You too! I'm actually in the process of finishing WindWaker, so wish me luck in finishing this fantastic game! I hope I love it as much as you do when it's all said and done 😁😁

[@TheBlindRaven]

@@alexanderadams9058 oooooh have fun. What part you on?

[@ZabZabZabie]

This iteration of ganondorf made me really sad. He is the one who suffers the most from Demise's Curse. A king destined to evil, to curse his own life and tarnish his people. A man who wishes for the good of his kind at any cost...

[@humanwreckage4563]

"The winds... they are blowing..." Which winds, though? The winds of his homelands, or those he coveted? Maybe both.

[@TheAussieBlue]

The Winds of Destruction! (Revengance intensifies)

[@themessiah..]

Ganondorf in this always just seemed in pain and tired. Tired of his own endless hatred which was never his own

[@OnCuzImBored]

Makes me cry every time

[@JusteDracula]

The way Ganondorf ways, "The wind, it is blowing," after monologuing about what his home was to him fucking DEMOLISHES anything Ganondorf in TotK said tbh

[@bry5552]

9:04 I love that

[@d3va383]

Best ending in gaming history

[@bull1085]

1:36 this line out of context… probably in context too. “Put an end to that which binds us together.” What if he wasn’t just referring to the Triforce? What if, in a sense, he knew that the very existence of Hyrule was a curse to all three of them? Hyrule was founded by the two who brought the curse of Demise upon themselves, what if erasing Hyrule and building a new kingdom could defeat Demise’s curse? Demise would have won, but let’s say this “envious” individual was the one who ruled? The cycle would be done, and a less homicidal tyrant would rule. The biggest issue is hylia, she would just find a new body. But Link? The hero has no bind other than blood. That or I’m stupid.

[@________5347]

“See how much your Triforce is worth.” *Master Sword in Head. Drowns with Hyrule.*

[@Roto3]

I was hoping TOTK ganondorf would be something like this but nope.

[@tdchris2002]

Wind waker ganondorf: I hear… The wind blowing… Totk ganondorf: Haha trust me bro I love hyrule and definitely will not try to kill everyone That said, I think the final boss and dragon tears added a lot to totk ganon. While not as personable and characterized as WW ganon, it was FAR better than whatever we got in botw

[@sirsmiteful6285]

8:15 the ship theme, with Aryll’s theme made me sob, and seeing her after the final departure made me do it the fuck again. Man this game always makes me cry.

[@tomasgarcia7499]

I don’t remember the end dialogue being this good wtf. Then again I was like 10 when I played this, and I’m 23 now lol.

[@Party_Pineapple]

Ganon giving his sad backstory monologue while link's standing there looking like a crack head lmaoo

[@sebthelobster]

“Let the past die, kill it if you have to” done right

[@hashtagVitaminD]

Thanks for sharing this. I finally got around to beating the Wind Waker last night and my disc was so scratched I didn't get to see what happened in the final cut scene. Hahaha, been waiting 20 years for some closure and finally got it!

[@unknownzarby1854]

Wind waker is the best game in the series change my mind, not only is this games the most mature in a way if you know what I mean but also has the best version of ganondorf and a king that all he wanted was to bring his kingdom back and one of the saddest cutscenes in the series with beautiful music😭😭❤️❤️

[@skraeling]

This was the only world your ancestors were able to leave you. Please forgive us.

[@samh7800]

6:29 is depressing

[@DaDunge]

And beautiful.

[@liamdalemon1525]

He deserved to die. He just fucked up everything because he hated gannondorf

[@zombies4evadude24]

3:24 is as well... R.I.P Ganondorf...

[@scottwpilgrim]

WW Link: Hey Thor. I went for the head.

[@MMetelli]

With the impending climate catastrophe, King's speech is hittin' harder than ever before.

[@oatmeal3013]

seeing king of red lions without the life in him really messed me up

[@sarahcole9661]

One interesting thing about this cutscene, Ganondorf did technically get what he wanted beyond just ruling over old sunken Hyrule. Unlike each game's Link and Zelda, Ganondorf isn't reincarnated for each new game. More often he's resurrected or pulled out of another dimension instead. Which is why he says "Let us put an end to that which binds us together!" at 1:33. He's sick of getting brought back from the dead, never really moving on, and still being beaten by the same two damn people every time... Except. Except that this Link, despite having the Triforce of Courage and all other classic Link traits, is NOT a reincarnation. The King of Red Lions says as much in your first conversation with Jabun: "The one I have brought with me has no connection to the legendary one. And yet I can sense great potential in the courage that lies within him..." Toon Link broke a goddesses-know-how-old cycle of reincarnation and defeat, an equally old curse, and possibly killed Ganondorf dead this time but I'm not sure. In the toon timeline, those bindings are crumbling at the bottom of the ocean. god i love zelda so much

[@Turnpost2552]

Didnt realize Link was still riding on Red lions boat which is now just a boat now.

[@Octolicia]

5:16 : He pretty much met the same fate as the Deku Tree: Turned into a hardened version of himself.

[@Bandikit]

1:11 child puncc starts here

[@LooseAsADEUCE]

Here after TotK and this is still the best version of Ganondorf. There may be some things other versions do better but this is the best overall package

[@TheCookieFlavaJAR]

What a truly beautiful game

[@coreymartin5981]

BoTW and ToTK are good and incorporated some good things(like multiple ways to solve a puzzle, different tunics that had abilities, and cooking)............but I long for the series to go back to it's roots. It would be nice to see a Wind Waker 2 with an adult Link.

[@tanukimorii]

Wanna hear something depressing? The king of hyrule died when he was drowned under the waters of the Great Sea, so when Link was rising the King of Red Lions in the ending cutscene, it was a lifeless boat with white gloomy eyes.

[@drakoloreseeker5112]

I got to say this game had the most reasonable ganondorf

[@Sephiroth08150]

In the French version, Ganondorf says "Show me how worthy of the Triforce you really are."

[@siriocaz5743]

Kudos to the guy who made that unique laugh for Ganondorf, seems easy to imitate but it's not.

[@aychtooo3981]

Didn't this scene almost gave it a T rating?

[@Toaster-jr5eo]

Why did it?

[@mlgsamantha5863]

Quite possible the part where Link stabs Ganondorf in the face.

[@sagesaria]

@@Toaster-jr5eo It's really violent, compared to other Zelda games. We've never really seen Ganon physically strike another character before, let alone punching and slapping children a third his size. Plus the sword going through his face.

[@zombies4evadude24]

wilroth2403 what?!?! That’s unnecessary

[@Paradox-xm9zq]

I think you might be thinking of Ocarina of Time

[@josecontreras1739]

Imagine an alternative line where this ganondorf got this wish

[@aoBubs]

Hahaha 10:35 with the mask oh man I did not expect that

[@thecupcakefoxblog]

aoBubs I’ve been searching for someone to point that out and explain! 😂

[@TabythaK]

hearing Ganondorfs words actually make you feel bad for him, Link wasn't fighting a monster... he was fighting a broken and tired man.

[@AFlyingCoconut]

Ganondorf: "My country lay in a vast desert" Link: ಠಿ_ಠ