Neither have I, although I don't know my release date yet, but I'm sure it's only a few days after yours. I shall be importing it from the UK anyway, so I'll get it a few days after your release date. xP
Standing on hind legs has become the Meowth species's trademark, which I concur with being quite annoying. But I didn't think they'd make any Pokemon an actual character who isn't Pikachu, any of the starters or have stared in a movie (bar the legendaries). Although I have to say, if they removed all the Pokemon in the game just to add Girafarig, I'd be happy with that. Actually, just a game about Girafarig would be <3.