Nintendo did recently buy a majority in Monolith Soft, so this is NOT unheard of for them.
BTW, Monolith Soft developed Xenosaga, Baten Kaitos, and Namco X Capcom. Monolith Productions, which is still independent, developed No One Lives Forever and F.E.A.R.
A flashy-first game is awesome when it comes out. A great-first game is awesome forever.
Plus, just for the hell of it: Kelly Brook at the 2008 BAFTAs








