While Nintendo has assured that the 3DS will release by the end of this fiscal year (March 31, 2011) the portable system could be coming much sooner than that. An insider is claiming that the 3DS will release in the U.K. before Christmas with limited stock.

“Early indications to us are that the launch is going to emulate Wii in December,” an industry source said. “We’ve been informed that Nintendo wanted a long run-up to Christmas, but now it’s going to be a close-run thing. We’re not expecting a lot of stock before next year.”

A release of the 3DS in the U.K. would hint at a release in the U.S. this year, and possibly earlier than December.

Source: CVG