Hundreds of gamers from around the country world made their way to the Virgin Megastore in Times Square last night (June 11th) to celebrate the midnight release of Metal Gear Solid 4, the fourth and final entry in the highly acclaimed video game franchise.

On hand for the big launch was series creator and famed director Hideo Kojima, who signed autographs for his adoring fans from roughly 12:05AM 'til closing at 3:00AM.

That's a whole lot of signatures, mind you, as there were over a thousand eager MGS fanboys and fangirls waiting on line to buy the game and snag his John Hancock.

I said, "Wow."

Being the mangod he is, Kojima descended into the crowded lower floor of the store at the stroke of midnight to the sound of thunderous applause and the crowd chanting his name. He said nothing. He simply smiled and bathed himself in the limelight with open arms.

Bravo, Kojima. You're as badass as I had imagined.

Seated to his right was the mind-numbingly gorgeous Ms. Yumi Kikuchi, who voices one of the game's new villains aptly titled "The Beauties." Together, the pair sat slightly elevated above the crowd like a king and queen looking down upon their lowly subjects -- a fitting position for a man whose franchise has single-handedly proven that games can be more than just trivial toys for kids.

All in all, the event proved one undeniable fact: Metal Gear Solid 4 is one of the biggest things to happen to gaming in a long, long time. Don't miss out!

Photo Credit: Bobby Kogos