I pre-ordered my copy a few months before it came out for that very reason - I can't STAND going to the store and they're OUT of what I went all the way there to get.
If there are any other games you want, I recommend ordering them from the official site long before they come out. That way, you also have plenty of time to set aside the $50 you're gonna throw down to buy it.
I might get Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance in advance just on the merit of that MTV video. I've always been a fan of the series anyway, but the new one looks better by far than the previous few. Fortunately, if you don't have TV you can still see it at the official
MK Site - there is a sreen of Sub-Zero that is so well done I use it for my desktop wallpaper.