Cosplay, Metal Gear mania, and a lot of gamers. It's the Tokyo Game Show, and it's giving E3 some competition.

This year's Tokyo Game Show took place in the suburbs of Tokyo from September 16-18. The event is considered to be the industry's second-biggest convention, behind the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) held in Los Angeles. Like E3, several companies use the event to reveal some of their biggest announcements, like the release date of the Microsoft Xbox 360 or the first footage of Metal Gear Solid 4 on the PlayStation 3.

Unlike E3, the TGS is open to the public on days two and three, opening the door for some wacky characters. The floor is lined with people dressed up in game-related garb, but these costumed bodies aren't paid hourglass-shaped models. They're regular people, and they actually voluntarily wear these getups...for fun. The spectacle is akin to E3's Kentia Hall, but it isn't cast off into the depths of a convention center...it's all right there in the main hall, out front, and everywhere in between.

If you think this sounds like perfect fodder for another GameSpot photoshoot, give yourself a gold star. Check out the gallery.