A new and much more convincing picture to be had now... not just a receipt (no, the other one wasn't just from a pre-oder, sheesh) but the goods it bought as well. We have further confirmed, with the store, that this was no mistake.

In even more news this morning we've received a torrent of confirmations that people who ordered bundles through EB's website have now had their precious babies sent their way. That means people who specified overnight delivery should have their Cubes tomorrow! Now, would EB want to leave their walk-in customers out in the cold while their website (which only represents a fraction of their total business) customers are happy with their goods? We'll see how it shapes up but today/tomorrow is starting to look more and more likely.

Oh, and of course we'd like to take a quick second and say ...

WE TOLD YOU SO.

**If you're going to call your retailer, we urge you to please be polite. Understand that you are dealing with people not only getting hundreds of calls about GameCube, but Xbox, Metal Gear Solid, and other stuff. Be nice. They are going through retail HELL**

If you got your cube today from a MAJOR retailer, please scan your receipt and/or enclose a picture and send it to us. The sooner we have photographic evidence, the sooner we'll all get our Cubes! Please don't mail us, unless you have a scan or a picture. Our mailboxes are full as it is.

IMPORTANT: Do NOT call Nintendo asking what's going on! You won't get anywhere with them. At most, you'll get the company line (Launch is on the 18th), and at the least, you're going to get the brush off. RETAILERS are the only ones that will be able to get accurate information from Nintendo, and only through the right channels. Leave Nintendo alone!!!

UPDATE 2: We now have confirmation that FYE stores in Connecticut are selling machines, and that all TWEC stores have memorandums that they are allowed to sell machines. However, they are only selling to pre-ordered customers.

Some Software Etc. stores have also been breaking the date, but only too pre-sales.

We've also had confirmed reports of other stores planning on selling Thursday and Friday.

UPDATE: For all of you that think this is too good to be true, or are getting different information from your stores ...

For all of you doubting Thomases getting mixed information ...

We've gotten confirmation from several people that contacted stores on our news. Some said that they were able to get their Cubes (w00t!), other said that the stores WERE allowed to sell them, and were CHOOSING not to.

We've heard from at least one TRU chain selling machines, Sam Goody is selling bundles, but WalMart is choosing to wait until Thursday. Several reports are coming in from Canadians able to secure themselves Cubes.

It's entirely likely that you will not get a Cube early unless you have a PREORDER from places like Electronics Boutique and GameStop.com.

Once again, we reiterate ... do NOT be rude or accusatory when dealing with your store, or they will very likely not give you the time of day. Be patient, polite, and just accept what they have to say. Arguing will get you nowhere.

Over the weekend, we'd heard smatterings of reports that Stores are starting to receive their GameCube units, and that they are starting to appear on eBay.

Since eBay is hardly a bastion of accurate reporting, we've done some legwork, including making a couple phone calls to Nintendo. Here's the skinny ...

Nintendo has started shipping GameCubes. (YES!) This is a week earlier than was anticipated. While some stores claim to have been told by their corporate liasons to Nintendo that they will be fined if they sell early, this appears to not be the case.

Nintendo has told us that stores are free to sell the GameCube as soon as it arrives, in order to get a jump on the X-Box launching on Thursday. They also said that no store would be fined for breaking the release date.

Call your stores! It's possible that the GameCube could be at major stores as early as TODAY, but more likely by Wednesday. If your store claims that they are not allowed to sell them, POLITELY ask them to call their Nintendo rep, and double-check. While it's possible you're going to get some rude managers, and they will refuse to help you, being rude back will NOT get you a Cube.

The stores will have to call their Nintendo rep ... Nintendo is NOT pro-actively contacting stores to let them know about the shift in policy. If the stores don't call, they're going to get the short end of the stick here. Nintendo is not publically going to comment, so this is the only way they will know.

(It's possible even some Nintendo reps won't be clued in yet. If they're willing, ask your store manager to have the Nintendo rep check with his supervisor.)

We'll try to keep you posted as we get word of the first official breaks!