1) nobody is arguing against or disagreeing that playable Zelda should happen or is the most reasonable thing to do. we're note even talking about that.Nice driveby.
But where's the challenge in women playing a male character then? My question isn't whether men should be able to handle gettin male Link taken away from them, my question is why we should take him away in the first place. Whenever I have the option to pick, I often pick the woman as a character. But those options usually stem from games where they didn't retcon a long standing character's gender. They simply don't do that, nor should they have to.
Playable Zelda is the most reasonable thing to do when it comes to a playable female character.
why does Link have to be a woman to identify with her? Back then a lot of characters were male, times sucked for women being represented in games. But that's where he was created. I don't see a reason to retcon a 30 year lasting character's gender. We already have a great character that could be playable who happens to be a woman. She's called Zelda.
2.a) representation of historically underrepresented groups 101
2.b) there is not retconning. this is basic Legend of Zelda: new game, new Link (unless you have the rare direct sequel with the same one)
2.c) the series is retconning things all the time