Doomed Nintendo is God Mode Nintendo.
every awesome decission outside of the price cut was made -BEFORE- any of the "Doom" shit started.
Therefore - i'd propose we kill this saying and simply go with
Nintendo is God Mode Nintendo.
The price cut was a massive help but a turd is still a turd regardless of the price. The key was the triple slam of MH, MK7 and ML. THAT was Nintendo planning out for the first year with intent and purpose. No DOOM required.
I'd actually be curious to see how the machine would have sold with either a much more modest price cut or -no- price cut. However, i think the price cut is a calculated strategy because i'd put the mortgage on a more expensive much more superior model this year then the original 3DS will be silently terminated.
If that happens - Iwata's market-savvy genius just gets another gold star