Sorry to burst your bubble CJ, but the game wasnt on storeshelves a month ago, they were just trying to get more people to leave a deposit for the game before it come out.
I dont really know where people get the idea that stores hold out on games for periods of time until it is officially released. Stock sitting in the back room waiting to be put out next month is money that is being tied up and not multiplying. Can you tell that i used to work in the video game business?

Anyway, the earliest i ever saw something come in and be held back was two days, and that was only at the request of the company and at a cost to them of making sure that the whole chain got plenty to sell.
Most companies send their wares directly from the manufacturing to the stores to be put up for sale ASAP.
So that box that you've seen around town is the one that had the little pewter figure inside, and a guaranteed copy on day one.