Reader Raze35 writes in to inform us that the above GT stores will be hosting a midnight launch party for LucasArts' The Force Unleashed at the Reading Cinema in Belmont on Sept 16. The festivities will commence at 9:30PM, and cut off at 1AM.

Along with the opportunity to purchase the game at 12 on the dot, attendees can engage in speed runs of the demo (current record is 2:30 minutes, apparently) or don their best Star Wars gear and enjoy a bit of cosplay. Prizes will be there in, uh, force as well.

If it sounds like your bag (or other container), you know where to be!

If you've been hanging out for Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit on Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, hang out no longer. GameTraders in Carillon City has copies of the UK PAL version going for $89.95. You can swing in right now and pick this baby up, nearly three weeks before its official release.

Remember, if you see a game on a retailer's shelf when it shouldn't let us know at tipsATkotakuDOTcomDOTau!

[Thanks everyone]

Wait, so let me get this straight. Not only is the GameTraders in Carillon, WA having a midnight launch for Metal Gear Solid 4 (yes, it's available tomorrow folks), but the store is currently selling brand-new copies of Devil May Cry 4 and Frontlines: Fuel of War on Xbox 360 for $20. $20! That's damn cheap.

As for MGS4, the midnight launch will be held at the Reading Cinema in Belmont Forum. The event kicks off at 9PM, and GT will be selling the game for $99.95 (RRP $119.95). Maybe not as cheap as an import, but probably among the cheapest prices in Australia.

[Thanks Raze35]

In what's turning out to be a regular occurrence, Mass Effect for PC is available now, a day before its official release. GameTraders Carillon has let us know it's selling the title for $84.95 - a bit less than the $99.95 RRP - though I'm sure if you hunt around you'll find the game in other shops too.

I've got my review copy sitting next to me on my couch, but I'm going to wait until the weekend to get into it. I've played the 360 version to completion, but I know the experience overall is going to be better on the PC. Heck, I was sold way back when Bioware announced there'd be shortcut keys for biotics!

If Carillon GameTraders can make a MySpace page for its customers, there's nothing to stop other GT outlets from doing the same.

Matt Cooper, assistant manager for GT's Bundaberg operations, has put some effort into a page for his store. I'm assuming the deal is the same as Carillon's - to make people aware of sales, offers and events. That, or a posting board for emo poetry about PS3 shortages or the gruelling experiences of working in retail.

Oh, I'm only kidding! Now, go make friends with an inanimate object.

GameTraders Bundaberg [MySpace]

We've all heard of GameTraders. It's been breaking street dates since the beginning of time, and probably a little before then.

In order to keep customers up-to-date with tournaments, deals, offers and the like, the Carillon store has started a MySpace page. While I think Facebook might have been a better choice, MySpace is more than sufficient.

If you're a fan of the independent retailer, it might be an idea to sign up. At the moment it doesn't provide much, but Travis of GameTraders says he's in the process of getting it up to scratch.

GT Carillon [MySpace]

Do we love GameTraders? Yes we do. To be fair, we love all the independent retailers that are doing their best to keep Australia out of the gaming Dark Ages. Kudos!

Today however, the focus is on that magical retailer in Perth. If you're sick of waiting for Nintendo to get its act together, and don't mind a bit of fiddling, you can play SSBB today. And then the next day. And the day after. And probably for a long time after that.

According to tipster Raze35, GameTraders has the NTSC USA version in stock, with copies going for $99.95 each. It also has Freeloader discs available to get past the region lock - one of these will set you back $50. Don't panic - there's a combo deal for $129.95.

Raze35 says the game runs perfectly on his Wii. In fact he's been delivering his special brand of justice on unsuspecting Nintendo characters with Solid Snake for close to 12 hours now.

Surely there are other stores around the country that are in a similar position to offer non-Perth gamers the delectable awesomeness of SSBB. Drop us a line if you're one of those stores, or happen to know of one!

According to tipster Raze35, the Gametraders in Carillon Shopping Centre, Perth will be receiving "early" copies of Super Smash Bros. Brawl from the US, including Freeloader discs to switch regions.

While we have no exact date, it's better than what Nintendo Australia has provided. Which is nothing.

Raze35 also mentioned that the store is selling imported bundles of Rock Band for PS3, as long as you're happy to commit a chunky $399 to the purchase.

This particular Gametraders has quite a reputation for making gamers' dreams come true. Now, if only I lived in Perth...

That's what tipster Steve had to say when he sent us in this shot of his copy of Lost Odyssey which he picked up on January 27. Thing is, it's not due out here until the 8th. Steve was kicked into action when he saw a similar post regarding Devil May Cry 4 this morning.

Yes, it's an overseas copy, but Steve points out that the language selections come in English, Chinese and Japanese and the game itself runs fine on PAL Xbox 360s. Apparently the store is expecting Advance Wars: Days of Ruin for DS, which isn't out until next month.

Update: Looks like EB Games has broken the street date for Lost Odyssey today, according to a post at Neogamer. Apparently the game did not come with a "do not sell" order. (Thanks Luke P.)