If you look close, they seem to have been always committed to create and maintain an impression that a) Nintendo makes perfect products that just works, and b) you can't negotiate a deal to your advantages with Nintendo. And I think it has to be part of their hardwired company policy as a surviving
hanafuda card manufacturer in Kyoto - those cards were used in literally yakuza-controlled underground gambling for a long time.
I mean, just go watch The Godfather, and think how would you sell him a product, or worse yet, manufacture mass-market products that isn't intended for his acquaintances but he would be extremely interested with purchasing and using in substantial numbers. Lots of Nintendo behaviors and customer horror stories start making total sense.
(and Valve behaviors too. they have their own, no less adamant than Nintendo policies that you start noticing after a while)