Nintendo has announced that a character called Linkle, a female version of Legend of Zelda's much-loved Link, will be a playable character in the upcoming Hyrule Warriors Legends game.

They made the announcement during the long-awaited Nintedo Direct broadcast, the first one since legendary Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata died in July.

Even though 'Linkle' is the strangest name for a Nintendo character since Waluigi, the double-crossbow-wielding character will be a welcome addition to Hyrule Warriors Legends.

The game, scheduled for release on 25 March next year, will be a mash-up of The Legend of Zelda and Koei Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors series for the Nintendo 3DS.

Hyrule Warriors came out for the Wii U last year, and proved popular due to its big, extravagant battles and fighting features, rather than the traditional puzzles and low-key fighting of the original Zelda series.