Here's the way i see it....
Nintendo knows its not going to win game for game with the PS3 and 360. It's already been said that the Rev is only a few times more powerful than the Cube. So what do you do when you have lackluster games on a next Gen console? You have downloadable classic games for $2 a download. Or 5 free games with purchase of a $40 Revolution game, its pure genius.
Nintendo will make MILLIONS upon MILLIONS of dollars off the classic games, even at $2 a pop, or bundled with Rev games. It ensures the success of the console when the games and or controller fails.
Thats my speculation, I think Nintendo realizes the risk of the Rev and is putting this in as an "insurance policy" if you will. I think they realize they are not going to have the 3rd party support like the other 2 will have, and other than first party games, the downloads will be a major source of income. But until the actual numbers are given, this again, IS JUST MY SPECULATION.