Only a couple of sleepless nights more, and we're finally going to see the launch of one of the much-awaited games of 2008, Konami's Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Of course, a big launch isn't a BIG launch if there's no partying involved, and luckily for us Konami has something good planned for fans of the series: the mandatory midnight launch parties.

Hideo Kojima of Kojima Productions and other Metal Gear Solid luminaries will grace the US with their presence in three locations - Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco - so better make some quick changes on your itinerary to accommodate the following events:

LOS ANGELES:

WHERE:

Best Buy
1015 N La Brea Ave
West Hollywood
(323) 883-0219

WHEN:
Wednesday, June 11
11:45 pm - 1:00am

TALENT APPEARING:
David Hayter - Voice of Solid Snake
Kenichiro Imaizumi - Senior Producer
Ryan Payton - Associate Producer

NEW YORK:

WHERE:

Virgin Megastore
1540 Broadway
Bet. 45th & 46th Street
(212) 921-1020

WHEN:
Wednesday, June 11
11:45 pm - 1:30am

TALENT APPEARING:
Mr. Hideo Kojima
Yumi Kikuchi - Model

SAN FRANCISCO:

WHERE:

PlayStation Store at Metreon
101 Fourth Street
(415) 369-6000

WHEN:
Saturday, June 14
4 pm-6 pm

TALENT APPEARING:
Mr. Hideo Kojima
Kenichiro Imaizumi - Senior Producer
Ryan Payton - Assistant Producer
Yumi Kikuchi - Model

Konami Online's Brandon Laurino also adds that the earlier you get to the above venues, the better, so you'll be able to buy a standard copy of the game (if you haven't pre-ordered your copy, that is).

As a bonus, Konami treats Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops+ players to a big haul of codes that can be used to unlock secret characters for the PSP game. Are you still playing Portable Ops+? If you are, then you should click on the Via link to check out the codes. Enjoy!

Thanks also to tipster ricky!