That was not the case with the 3DS, which will not have its first major release, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, until June.

FORBES: Is Nintendo Jumping The Gun?

Now it makes Zelda, Mario, a host of other first party franchises and hardware.

FORBES: TV Will Be Crucial to the Future of the Wii U

The first anonymous leak that Nintendo is working to craft the biggest most amazing Zelda game ever for the Wii U hardly comes as a surprise.

FORBES: Wii U Zelda Rumored For 2014 - Nintendo's Next-Gen Console Will Succeed Or Fail Based On Its Games

In the minds of gamers, Nintendo is and will always be the company that makes Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong et al. But to others, Nintendo is first and foremost the company that makes Brain Age, Wii Fit, or just funnels Netflix into their TVs.

FORBES: Nintendo America Boss: Nintendo is an 'Entertainment Company' First