Can't wait to get R-Type Command for the Playstation Portable? Here's a little something to get you even more excited. Those who pre-order the game will be getting a figurine of an R-Type ship. For more on this, check out the full article.

Those who are waiting for their fix of courtroom drama (mixed with a dose of Adult Swim acid) on their Wii, PS2, and PSP are bound for a disappointment: it looks like Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law by Capcom for the Wii and PSP is going to be delayed, according to the game's release dates in two different online retail stores.

Online store Amazon lists Harvey Birdman's release date as January 8 next year, while EBgames has January 1, 2008 as Harvey Birdman's shipping date. Of course, both may simply be placeholders for the actual dates, but what happened to its previous November 13 release?

Will Harvey Birdman join the league of delayed games such as Super Smash Bros. Brawl? Do check this space to find out.

Fans of the classic video game series Castlevania should not miss this once-in-lifetime opportunity to meet and greet Castlevania's producer, Koji Igarashi (fondly referred to as IGA by fans), courtesy of GameStop and EB Games.

This event is part of the media blitz to promote the newest addition to the list of quality Castlevania games, Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles.

IGA will grace EB Games Universal City Walk with his presence on September 12, Wednesday at 6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. Not much is known about the program of events for the occasion, but it's confirmed that fans can (hound) ask IGA to take a picture with them or have him sign his autograph.

Hey, with that snazzy hairdo of his, we think it's actually pretty cool to have a picture taken with him. And his snazzy locks.

Do click on the flyer above for more details!

If we are to believe the recent EB Games listing, the video game Disgaea Portable which was released in Japan last November 30, 2006, will be known as Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness in North America when it arrives on October 30 (mind you, that is still a tentative date).

Even though NIS America or publisher Atlus Software have yet to give an official announcement regarding this, the subtitle "Afternoon of Darkness" is not at all impossible. After all, this is a port of the PlayStation 2 game which was known as Disgaea: Hour of Darkness.

And remember that poll from NIS America earlier this month? Well, it seems that the poll has already decided what platform to release the game as the title is just listed under the PlayStation Portable category at EB Games. It is priced for US$ 39.99. Like we said, all of this information is true only if the EB Games listing is accurate.

Don't worry though as we will continue to look for updates and new information regarding this.

We recently covered EB Games giving massive discounts on their products. GameStop looks to be jumping on the same bandwagon and has announced its already ongoing sale, dropping the price of the products they carry by as much as 50%.

Included in the sale are numerous PSP UMD movies, PSP games such as Dragonball Z Shin Budokai, Gamecubes with copies of Zelda: The Twilight Princess, PS2 Games, Xbox 360 games such as Eragon and Chrome Hounds, controllers, accessories and much more. Those who have been waiting to spend their hard earned simoleons cash, this may be the right time to head down to GameStop and avail of their promos.

You can check out the entire scope of their promo by clicking on our read link. Be sure to keep checking back here for more deals and promos from your favorite retail stores.

Up ahead is another major deal alert for North America's gamers. There's an upcoming EB Games/GameStop sale that will be going down this week, which will be displaying games and accessories for discount prices ranging from 25% to a whopping 50% off.

The sale is expected to kick in this May 27 (Sunday), and will end on June 16 (Saturday). Courtesy of Cheapassgamer (CAG), we've also managed to pilfer acquire an SKU list of the merchandise that'll be receiving the price cuts (make sure to read the fine print):

  

To clarify the list, reibeatall over at CAG further explained that viewers will want to read the first two numbers on the SKUs:

• 16 = GBA
• 18 = DS
• 19 = PSP
• 20 = XBox 360
• 21 = Xbox
• 22 = GameCube
• 27 = PlayStation 3
• 28 = PlayStation 2
• 64 = PC
• 80 = Accessories

That's all for the moment - make sure to set your calendars and clocks for the sales days. For the guys intent on taking advantage of this deal snippet, we wish them the best of luck.

We're always looking for great deals and here's something from GameStop EB Games that'll definitely pique your interest.

They're having In-Store Specials that are valid until May 17. The offers included are the PlayStation 3 that comes with a free SIXAXIS controller. Also, those who're planning to get Donkey Konga 2 can also get free bongos when they get the game. There's also a spot for DS trades and used GameCubes. You can also check out the video game titles that are marked down by US$ 10.

Anyway, you can check out the images above for the titles. And remember, the offers are dependent on title availability so if you see something you like, you better print out the coupons and visit a store at your earliest convenience.

Would you buy a PSP armed with a security feature that makes it hack proof?

According to Nadclovek from PSP-Spot (sourcing an EB Games Regional Manager in Calgary, Canada), new shipments of PlayStation Portables may sport higher firmware (4.xx) and retail at 169.99 CAD or around US$ 153.67. This might not be good for PSP sales to say the least.

Nadclovek says:

Sony was sending out Emails to its Commercial Retailers that all new PSPs to be sent out will have 'Downgradable Prevention' built right into them. All new PSPs to be shipped out as of next week Friday, May 18th, will be a higher firmware, 4.xx (specifics were not released), but they were promised to include new security features to prevent hacks and downgrades. Apparently this is one of their first steps to start focusing on the PSP again, instead of diverting all attention to the PS3.

The report also mentions that it might have implications in North American PSP sales. While we doubt that it'll be the end of PSP hacking as we know it, but it's a sobering thought to say the least. For now though, we're still sticking this in the rumor bin until further notice. Stay tuned.

Luke Plunkett of Kotaku decided to ask SCE Australia if they're likely to see a PSP price cut down under. This is in light of the PSP's price reduction in North America and Europe. SCE Australia's response to Kotaku's line of inquiry was such: "...we are evaluating the market and will make price adjustments in line with local business plans."

The Sony PlayStation Portable's recommended retail price is currently AU$ 349. Others have noted that certain retailers (EB Games) are selling them for AU$ 296.

We don't want to sound negative, but we'd like to echo other folk's sentiment that a price drop is probably necessary. After all, a lower price only means that more PSPs are easily accessible to everyone. Right?

Joystiq's Ludwig Kietzmann informs that over at GameStop and EB Games, they're marking down the PSP Core Pack from US$ 199.99 to only US$ 169.99 Behold their promotional material regarding the drop below:

  

As of this writing, we've still not verified if this is a universal price drop. However, if you're looking to get another unit - if in case you bricked your first one - or if you're just plain frugal, now would be a nice time to pass by EB Games or Gamestop.

If you haven't gotten a PSP already, here are several reasons purchase one now? The Triple Triad Homebrew MMO, God of War PSP, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lion War, and FFVII: Crisis Core. Need I say more?

Oh, and no, Joystiq claims this isn't an April Fools' prank from them, or from Gamestop.