Joemanji: Star Fox Assault disagrees. Assault was pretty disappointing. Not a bad game, but certainly one where I found myself just going through the motions to be done with it.
Anyhow, the 3rd parties don't become 2nd party really. They have to pretty much "ok" everything with Nintendo, really not very different than working with any publisher I would imagine(especially on a pre-existing franchise). That being said, I don't see Nintendo letting another company make one of their games and not have it work(like Lair). Star Fox Assault has taught us they will let a very average game out the door, regardless of it's former glory. If a third party does do Kid Icarus, let's hope for F-Zero GX-type results.
"I feel like I could take on the whole Empire myself."
