I like Linkle's design because she looks strong but still feminine in a natural and unsexualized way. Not that there's anything wrong with being sexy (I actually like Bayonetta in spite of it being super over the top). That being said, she's also not an amazon woman like Impa or Samus (6'3" and 198 pounds!). I don't think female characters need to be sword-swinging barbarian women or lightning throwing goddesses in order to be good, strong female characters.
Linkle's young and cute but she also strikes me as a nimble adventure-havin' type of gal. These are traits shared by Link in almost all the Zelda games. The LoZ series captured my imagination when I was about 11 years old (w/ Majora's Mask and Ocarina of Time) even with a male protagonist. I think a large part of that has to do with being around the same age as the character even though he's a boy.
But think about it - if there's one demographic more under represented in video games than women it's girls. Girls around the age Zelda games (and Nintendo games in general) are targeted towards. If a game has them at all they're usually barely even sidekick material - usually bratty sisters or bratty neighbors or bratty something or others (Dragon Quest 7 comes to mind). The main point here I guess is that they're more or less designed to be sort of a nuisance. They're constantly getting kidnapped, tattling, or being annoying. One dimensional at best, downright insulting at worst. Basically, the stereotypical way older brothers see little sisters.
A normal hero girl for girls to be able to play as isn't too much to ask.
For those of you wanting a playable Zelda, I think there's a fair compromise to be had.
Playable Tetra. GOAT Zelda character.
