This is discussion archived from a time before the current discussion method was installed.
Zeke: Aw, nuts. I knew if I waited too long someone would beat me to this trope. My mental working title was "The Russian Swindle" — in honour of Mega Man 4, where Dr. Wily practically invented this trope, making everybody think the real villain wasn't him but just some Russian guy. Ganon's definitely a good choice, though.
Omega Blade: I feel I should mention that, despite the trope name, Zelda being possessed by Ganondorf in Twilight Princess is not an example of the trope.
Rebochan: But Ganon being the man behind Zant is.
Chucat: Decided to add a new image for this, though I'm not sure if looping it would be best or not.
Genji: Can anyone back up the statement about Ganondorf originally being an unplayable boss in Super Smash Bros. Brawl? I've checked Smash Wiki, and they have nothing.
Rebochan: Props to whoever made the new image.
Shale: Respectfully disagree. Having never played whatever game it is that that the body comes from, it took me a while to figure out that it wasn't just a picture of Ganon in a costume I'd never seen. The old image managed to clearly express what the trop is without having to recognize either character.
Rebochan: I think it works because it's pretty obvious they're two images slapped together.
Rebochan: Pulled this following two examples:
- In Subspace Emissary, the adventure mode of Super Smash Bros Brawl, it is revealed that the Ancient Minister, thought to be the Big Bad leader of the Subspace army was actually being forced to do so by none other than Ganon himself. Who turns out to have been following the orders of Master Hand. Who turns out to have been controlled by Tabuu. Ironically, since Tabuu is an all-new character, this takes it back off of this trope.
- Somehow pulled off in Final Fantasy I, where, despite having no established villains, this trope occurs. The first boss ends up being the last boss.
In the first, Ganon is not Hijacked by Ganon, because he's simply The Dragon to two other characters, one of which is a new villain entirely. In the second, you can't hijack the only game you've ever featured in.
Rebochan: If folks are going to put the Smash example back, it'd really help if they understood what this trope is. Once again, Ganon can't hijack the plot if he's explictly The Dragon and working for a new villain. Hell, even if he was the ultimate villain, it wouldn't matter because the established villain of Smash Bros. is Master Hand, at best. This trope concerns a brand new character playing the villain that is later revealed to be working for the long-running villain instead. Not a well-known character who is working for a brand new character.
I can not believe some people tried to refer to Ganon in disguise or Ganon as a One-Winged Angel as this trope. This isn't "bash Ganon for appearing in nearly every Zelda booooo".
