Register Hardware has discovered that Amazon’s North American arm plans to deliver the PlayStation 3 Slim to US gamers ahead of the console’s official launch date.

When Sony unveiled the PS3 Slim last week, it said that the machine “will become available in stores from September 1, 2009, in North America, Europe/PAL territories and Asian countries”.

However, earlier today we successfully placed an order for a PS3 Slim with Amazon’s US arm and received an estimated delivery date of 27 August.

That's only five days before the official launch date, it's true, but Amazon’s estimated arrival date comes just days after the online retailer warned that customers could be hit by PS3 Slim stock shortages.

If punters can receive the skinny console through Amazon several days before the official launch, then customers hoping to place advance orders in the days running up to 1 September official launch may discover that the retailer’s stocks have already run out.

At the time we posted this story, Amazon UK still listed the PS3 Slim release date as 1 September. ®