When giving credit in this context, it really depends on who inspired imitators more than on invention. Sometimes the technology exists but it sits unused until someone has the vision to bring it to the market in a way that makes sense and makes money.
Also, you sometimes develop the same idea independently, even though someone else may have done it first in the shadows.
In any case, Nintendo does seem to introduce a lot of controller functions first to the mass market before the other companies jump on it. Whether the others suffer from a lack of innovation or a lack of courage, Nintendo still gets points.

