Yep, they were way ahead of their time, and all major publishers followed their lead. Why risk the gaming media mangling your announcements by releasing press material to IGN et al when you can just... go direct? Why risk the disappointment of a botched live reveal (Wii Music, Skyward Sword), when you can just do everything in a polished, controlled environment?
They built up a huge amount of goodwill with Iwata and Reggiie's charisma, and more importantly exposed fans of certain Nintendo series who weren't fans of most Nintendo franchises (and might not have even been aware of them) to those franchises.
Basically, they took fans of some Nintendo games who would tune in for potential news on that game, and turned them into... Nintendo fans. And there's a difference. And while they always had a hardcore group who would buy anything first party, they managed to increase it hugely using directs. As Directs became a social media event, this effect only grew and grew.
Incredibly, Sony copied them and got to that same place. Where there are now Playstation fans who are eager for news on ANY first party game, and will try anything Sony studios puts out. And I can go even further (!) and say that reading these tea leaves is what caused Microsoft to buy Bethesda!
Nintendo you beautiful butterfly, you.
