Update: We've gotten word that GameStop has been authorized to sell the SP as soon as it arrives. Sure enough, I just returned from picking up mine. Remember, your mileage may vary, so please be respectful when dealing with your retail employees. Thanks.
Also, it seems that many chains that allowed pre-orders are getting just enough to cover those pre-orders, with big chains getting a few extras. Be forewarned!
We held onto this info until now to make sure we had as much detail as we could for you, but sure enough, the Game Boy Advance shipped to retailers late Tuesday. Some retailers, including Best Buy and Wal-Mart, began selling the revamped handheld the moment the stock arrived.
It seems now that stores are getting units nationwide. However, do NOT badger any of the retail employees if they say they do not have them, or have them and aren't allowed to sell them. They're doing their jobs, so cut them some slack. We anticipate more stores receiving shipments today and tomorrow, but it should not be assumed that all stores will be selling them when they receive them.
We've also received a couple of reports stating that some GameStop locations may begin selling the SP as soon as they receive them (to combat the loss of sales to larger chains), but this is likely going to happen on a per-store, or perhaps regional, basis.
Lastly, it appears that there are a VERY LIMITED number of the handhelds being sent out in this first shipment, but it's possible that more are being shipped for the official launch date of Sunday. Many stores are reporting having received between 6-12 units TOTAL in this first shipment. Don't panic ... any store with a pre-order program should be able to fill any pre-orders, plus a few units to spare.
