Classic Choice-Zelda
Princess Zelda is not the classic damsel in distress such as Princess Peach like Susan talked about. http://blogs.setonhill.edu/SusanCarmichael/2010/01/stereotypical_princess_peach.html
Princess Zelda is always captured in some way and the male character Link is forced to ave her. Zelda appears to be like a normal princess, however, she has an alter ego named Sheik. She then takes an active role helping the hero progress throughout the game. Even though the princess is helping out the hero her alter ego must be concealed so people do not know she is actually helping the hero progress through the game. This shows how women are still viewed as inferior to men. Zelda is not allowed to show that she is truly helping, this fact must be hidden to others. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Zelda
http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL250/2010/01/classic_choice/#comments
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Jessie Krehlik on Classic Choice-Zelda: But, Princess Zelda was still
Dennis G. Jerz on Classic Choice-Zelda: I suppose the alter ego preser
Dennis G. Jerz on Classic Choice-Zelda: I suppose the alter ego preser
I suppose the alter ego preserves the plot of the original game, where the hero works alone, while also giving the princess more to do. The end result is that it preserves Link's worldview, while slightly challenging the player's, since the player sees that the experience of playing as Link is based on incomplete information.
But, Princess Zelda was still in a costume. If I remember correctly in Ocarina of Time, Sheik really didn't look all that feminine. Unless you'd already played the game, you wouldn't even know Sheik was a woman. But, I do agree that the game challenged some stereotypes by allowing Zelda to have so much power within the game. Even in the desert realm where Ganondorf came from, there's a bunch of female gypsies who are pretty impressive characters. Legend of Zelda's come a long way from the classic damsel in distress ideas.