i read somewhere way back before this game came out that it requires steam activation.  i missed this game on sale during the steam holiday sale and saw that gamestop had it on sale for $30 but only want to buy it if i can link it to my steam profile so i can get steam achievements and basically not have to worry about a disc for this game.  anyone know the answer?  thanks in advance.

Yes, it requires Steam and also has the achievements you are after.

the retail box should have steam activation. new vegas does not support games for windows, thus it supports steam. you should be able to have a downloadable copy with that activation. just in case, look at the back of the box when you go to the store.

I dont know for sure, but doesn't all games these days do it? I mean, forcing you to play it via Steam? I have couple of retail PC games, like Empire Total war, and that game forces me to play it via Steam, without CD and with achievements.   Added: I see you already got your answer.

thanks for the replies everyone.  for anyone wondering, i bought the digitial download from gamestop and was able to activate and link that to my steam account using the cd key provided in the confirmation of my order.  Woot!