Size nor technicality of the game is mentioned...

make a small pacman remake ;D



j/k. Nintendo has very high standards. It's highly doubted that you could get straight into there specifications. You're better off finding a publisher that meets these specs, and then meeting the publishers specifications

"A straight path is not always the shortest route..."

No, Nintendo isn't going to allow you to cut corners but a publisher can certainly help you with things like a marketing plan, funding, staffing, etc.

I short, Nintendo will probably not deal with an indie developer's first title. But, if you can find somebody that already has a relationship with Nintendo *they* may deal with you.

But first you need a great game.