Read full article here.

“It's late 2022, and Mario and Rabbids Sparks of Hope has just been released to generally favorable reviews on Metacritic. Sales aren't the best, but both Ubisoft and Nintendo were pleased with the game's reception and long-term sales potential. Discussions between Nintendo and Ubisoft Milan about their next collaboration began soon after, according to sources familiar with the discussions. This time, however, Milan's ambitions extended beyond just a third Mario + Rabbids game.

Fast forward a few months: Soliani and a small team worked tirelessly on the new idea throughout the winter, and in early 2023, Ubisoft Milan finally had what they deemed the perfect pitch. Internally, the project was known as Goliath, a name that reflected the scale of what Ubisoft Milan aimed to develop: a new game set in the world of The Legend of Zelda.

… Instead of a sequel or prequel, the game was set to be a new spinoff in the Zelda universe, with the player controlling a new, never-before-seen protagonist. That later changed during the concept phase to have the player control Ganondorf, the archenemy of Link and Zelda.

Ubisoft Milan had until around the end of 2023 to deliver a compelling prototype, sources said, which was a deadline set to get the game past its next greenlight. In late November 2023, however, Nintendo rejected the prototype, according to sources familiar with the project, but the reasons for the decision remain unclear.

… According to two developers privy to high-level talks after Goliath's cancellation, a proposal emerged that Milan begin developing a different Nintendo IP. Internal rumors at the studio suggested that games including Star Fox, or even another game set in the Mario universe, were in the running, but between late 2023 and early 2024, conversations between Nintendo and Ubisoft began to break down.“

Well I knew getting another M+R would have been too good to be true. :( KB sits of my favorite tactics games of all time (though granted I haven’t played too many tactics games…).

The Mario and Rabbids games were a lot of fun. I wouldn't want Ubisoft anywhere near a Zelda game.

Sad it was a fun game that sorta filled the hole left by advanced wars. Fore emblem is a great tactical jrpg, but I still preferred M+R.

Given the new Rayman Legends remake is using AI slop to make character designs. I don't want Ubislop near any good IP outside their ownership.

Good, just forget about the Rabbids. Give us more Rayman.

This was one of the best E3 moments from Ubisoft.

Don't cry because it's over, smile because something impossible and cool happened.

kind of sad to hear about the Zelda spin off since the idea sounds interesting.

We of course don't know the details, but suspect there could be some contributing factors to Nintendo saying no. Ubisoft is not know for quick development and low budgets. Nintendo is quite famous for its efficient development timelines (for the industry), and is very budget conscious. Any Zelda game would likely be talking huge teams and big budget. Which Ubisoft is famous for huge teams and busting huge budgets. Then Ubisoft is really not know for good gameplay, though with Mario and Rabbids, this team bucked the Ubisoft trend. Ubisoft is also not really in a good organizational or financial place right now.

We may never know what they pitched, but I can't help but feel disappointed we won't see another take on Zelda. Article makes it sound like Nintendo was very interested. Also bad timing for the team to pitch Star Fox, Velan making a remake, and a rumored Adventures game in development.

Nah, they can't even do that right.