Just read your Super Mario Bros. 3DS article. Wondering something. You wrote:

We are told that a 2d Mario for 3DS is being released for the first fiscal quarter. So why is this the first we’re hearing about it? Shouldn’t this have been shown off at E3 2011?

My first impression is that this must have been a typo, but that can’t be since you specifically cite “first quarter.” Iwata actually only said it was due within the fiscal year which is anytime between April and next March:

Although there is no logo here, we are planning to release a totally new side-scrolling action Super Mario in 2D as a key title for the Nintendo 3DS in the next fiscal year.

http://www.zeldainformer.com/2012/01/new-side-scrolling-super-mario-title-coming-to-3ds-within-the-next-year.html

So the answer to your question about E3 2011 is that it’s not due until after E3 2012. Nintendo doesn’t seem to like showing off titles at E3 unless they’re due within the fiscal year.

Then that would be my mistake. I was under the impression the 2D Mario would be released before the next briefing.