hmmm, sometimes stores accept more pre-orders than product available, partly so they can bolster income sales, but mostly because a lot of people who pre-order don't show up to pick up the game. i'm not sure how it would work if you pre-order online and the game is sent to you by mail, but i know there were a few times i pre-ordered a game and when i went to the store to pick it up they had no copies left. so be warned: the only way to guarantee it will be there when it comes to retail stores is to pre-purchase it.