When third trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was revealed, the voice actor portraying the notorious villain, Ganondorf, was authorized by Nintendo to disclose their participation in the game officially. Ganondorf’s distinct voice was prominently featured in the trailer, exceedingly pleasing dedicated fans eagerly awaiting updates on the highly anticipated addition to the beloved Legend of Zelda franchise.
Throughout the Zelda series, which started with the 1986 release of The Legend of Zelda for NES, Ganon has primarily served as the central villain, regardless of whether he appears as the boar-like Ganon or the Gerudo Ganondorf, both of whom share the objective of seizing the Triforce of Power and taking over Hyrule. In the Tears of the Kingdom trailer, Ganondorf’s persona was unveiled, sporting a samurai-influenced outfit and hairstyle and announcing himself as a king. Despite Nintendo not having confirmed the identity of the voice actor portraying Ganondorf, devoted fans of the Zelda franchise could recognize his voice in the teaser.
Matthew Mercer took to Twitter to confirm his involvement as the voice actor for Ganondorf in Tears of the Kingdom. The renowned actor, known for his work as the dungeon master on Critical Role and as the voice of Cole Cassidy in Overwatch, expressed his deep respect for the character and stated his intention to deliver an outstanding performance that would honor Ganondorf’s legacy. Mercer also shared photographs of his fondness for The Legend of Zelda franchise, revealing that he had been a fan of the series since childhood.
I have been an immense Legend of Zelda fan since I was a child, and Ganondorf has been one of my favorite antagonists… to the point where I portrayed this green-skinned menace for my webseries over a decade ago! pic.twitter.com/FKqOTwg2hW
— Matthew Mercer (@matthewmercer) April 14, 2023
Matthew Mercer made his debut as the voice of Ganondorf in the second trailer for Tears of the Kingdom, which was shown during a Nintendo Direct broadcast in February. Although fans of The Legend of Zelda series quickly speculated that the voice belonged to Mercer, neither he nor Nintendo confirmed the rumors then.
However, two months later, Mercer announced on Twitter that Nintendo had granted him permission to disclose his role as Ganondorf. Mercer acknowledged the significance of the role and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to portray one of the most legendary antagonists in the history of video games. He thanked Nintendo for entrusting him with the part and pledged to deliver a performance honoring the character.
The ultimate adversary in Breath of the Wild was Calamity Ganon, a vast creature sealed within Hyrule Castle. In Tears of the Kingdom, however, the classic villain Ganondorf is set to make a comeback, necessitating a voice that suits his position as one of the most identifiable villains in the world of gaming. an experienced voice actor known for his Critical Role and Overwatch work, to voice the character. In Breath of the Wild, Calamity Ganon’s malevolent aura permeated the entirety of Hyrule. Zelda fans have high hopes for Mercer’s portrayal of Ganondorf, hoping that he can deliver a voice that captures the essence of the character in the same way that Calamity Ganon’s presence did in the previous game.
As a long-time fan of The Legend of Zelda series, Mercer expressed his excitement for the opportunity to play one of the most famous video game villains. He acknowledged that the role comes with great responsibility and is determined to do it justice. While some Zelda fans noticed the similarity between Ganondorf’s voice in the second trailer and Mercer’s voice, it was not until later that Mercer confirmed his role as Ganondorf. He thanked Nintendo for trusting him with the character and promised to deliver a memorable performance. With Mercer on board, fans eagerly await Tears of the Kingdom’s release, hoping to see how the new Zelda game will match the previous entries in the series.
The confirmation of Mercer’s role as Ganondorf has generated much excitement among fans of The Legend of Zelda franchise. Many are eager to see how he will bring the character to life and whether he will capture the essence of the iconic villain. In addition to Mercer’s involvement, Tears of the Kingdom promises to introduce new features and gameplay mechanics while retaining the core elements that have made The Legend of Zelda series so popular. The anticipation for the game’s release continues to grow, and fans eagerly count down the days until they can experience the latest adventure in the beloved franchise.