I have never done any online pre-orders so I am not sure how this works.  If I pre-order a game from amazon will it arrive on the day its released or will it be shipped on the day its released?

It will be shipped on release day, IF they receive their shipments in the first place. And that's a big IF.

I'd advise not to do any online preordering. You'll get your game, but probably 1-3 days after retail stores have plenty of copies sitting on shelves...taunting you...

I'd preorder from a retail store or just walk in on release day.

I'll never preorder online from Gamestop or EB again. I did for a game that came with a free item (for beta access). A month later, the official details of the special edition were announced and I decided I wanted that instead. They wouldn't let me change my order to an item that gave them $20 more because of the free item and I couldn't cancel it because of that free item. The free item came with all in store preorders so it wasn't any type of exclusive item. Complete BS.

Shipping wise, it changes sometimes. I've gotten games at my door prior to the official street date and other times they don't ship until the release day.

 This is kind of what I was thinking, but the laziness inside me tempts me to let it come to me!  Well, didn't hurt to ask, I will probably just be doing a walk in then. I will already be out and about that day anyways....

What's the game?

Metroid Prime 3 of course....

Hmm, I've preordered a game for the first time too... Lair. 10.10.2007 - that's the date when this game will hit stores in Poland. More than month after US...