I think it would be nice to see Apple-Nintendo console. Apple will deal with all the hardware and software while Nintendo will provide games for it.

Yup. One of the big things I miss about Sega when they were a hardware manufacturer was the different IPs they would produce every gen to compensate for what they could not get from 3rd party developers. People clamour about Nintendo going 3rd party but one of the big negatives to it is that any incentive to diversify or even expand on their already existing IPs goes out the window. 

Would be interesting. I actually expected more of Nintendo using Android and then being in both ecosystems, but this may push them to be more Apple first others last. Guess we'll see how it goes.

I wouldn't jump to that.

I mean look at Pokemon Go. It was HUGE, beyond Huge. If this Mario game don't make the news like Go did, they may think "we should have been available to all phones like go"

I'd be down for a Apple-Nintendo, it'd be better than Nintendo going third party if it ever came to that.

This Mario game will NOT make the news the same way Pokemon GO did, even if it was released simultaneously on both mobile OSs

I would prefer that. But it will depend on how SMR ... goes. :)

iOS is a huge market on its own, especially in US and iOS typically focus on paid apps vs Android's free to play. Lastly, it is easier to dev for iOS than Android's ecosystem simply due to the much more narrow hardware line in iOS. Could just be a matter of resources. You focus on finalizing iOS, get some $$ return,  then refine and deliver Android later.

I don't expect Apple entering gaming with a focused hardware. Apple since iOS took of is owner of one of the biggest gaming platforms, iPad and IPhone are actually great gaming devices and the new Apple TV also play games. And Apple ecosystem is more about tieing the consumer for ongoing hardware purchases than profiting with software and services itself, so it makes all sense to them to partner with Nintendo to bring Nintendo software for the hardware apple already sells. Nintendo makes money from the software sales and Apple from the expanded sales of its hardware. And Nintendo will be really selective with the software they release for Apple devices, it will be something that will sell well but won't affect their own hardware sales.

Before (Sony ruined it, lol) I thought  "Apple Neo" (NintEndO) would be a great product idea to replace apple tv and compete with M$ony consoles.

In regards to a situation where NX fails / subsequently forming a  partnership with Apple, IMO is very tricky.  Like Pachter said, Nintendo will still have a 10 bill treasure chest even if NX were to flop.  They'd be far from a position of being acquired .  Now if Nintendo, after a 2nd consecutive failure, are maybe exhausted of ideas and are afraid of further damage to their brand, then MAYYYYBE could see a contract exclusive situation with a giant like Apple or Google, say 5yrs at least, of content, HW etc.  But never a merger or acquisition, especially with an American company. In the end I'm guessing Apple would have to spend a lot of money while Nintendo retains their autonomy, & that might not sit well with Apple, making this case a non-starter.

I think 2-3 Nintendo mobile SW titles per yr on existing Apple devices, is the best type of collaboration we can expect.

They consider Apple their real rival. Or so I believe. So, yes OP, I can see many Nintendo mobile games launching first on iOS.