First the leak, now retailers start selling/shipping the game earlier than expected

Microsoft and Bungie just don't seem to be able to catch any breaks when it comes to Halo 2. First there was a pirated version that was leaked onto the Internet last month, and now many sites like GameSpot are confirming that certain retailers in the US have mistakenly(?) begun selling the game in-stores, only a weekend earlier before the intended official North American launch date of November 9th.

Numerous reports surfaced today from the Midwest claiming several retail chains had broken Halo 2's street date. Several reports on the Gaming Age forums--which included photos of the limited edition of the game--said that several individual Meijer stores, a self-described "grocery and general merchandise retailer" that operates in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky, were selling the game early. Outlets in Toledo, Ohio, were mentioned specifically.

As you might've guessed by now, these retailers are also shipping pre-orders for the game (including the handsome Limited Edition version) early to customers' homes. Not all gamers can expect to be lucky enough to score themselves a copy of the game early this way, but the good news is that this development should not affect the official launch next week at all.