Rarely, and I mean rarely, is a collector's edition of anything worth more than the original edition of the same thing.  Whether a comic book, a Princess Diana doll, a special soda can, or a TV Guide cover, the "collector's edition" of an item is usually just created as a marketing ploy to dupe people into buying something they don't really need.  Collector's editions in games are almost unheard of because, by definition, games usually aren't things that people collect so much as buy, play, and eventually grow weary of.  For a game to be considered a true collector's item, it would have to be almost an accident.  That is, if you bought the original Ms. Pac-Man when it was released and decided for some reason to keep the packaging intact, you might be able to post a reserve price on Ebay today for something in the neighborhood of $500.  So, it goes without saying that the things that are usually considered collector's items were never marketed as such.

That said, the collector's edition of Baldur's Gate II:  Shadows of Amn will likely appreciate in value.  Not only is the game incredible, as the fine review by our own Michael Lafferty indicates, but the additional items and fine packaging you get for your extra ten bucks are worth, well, about ten or so extra bucks.  Does this excuse Interplay's shameless marketing tactic geared toward getting people to spend the additional ducats necessary for getting a "maxed-out" product?  No.  Especially NO, considering that people who spent the extra dough for the collector's edition in retail stores still missed out on the additional additional bonus disc, which was only advertised online.  Nevertheless, the collector's edition is an excellent value.  It wouldn't even be unreasonable for true collectors out there to buy two copies of the game:  one to play and one to keep factory-sealed.  That's right.  Buy two collector's editions and keep one shrink wrapped.  If you don't have $110 to blow on two copies of the same game (and care more about collecting than playing), read on to find out about the contents of the latest addition to your collection (including exclusive lists of the two additional merchants' inventories).

The Box
Baldur's Gate II:  Shadows of Amn Collector's Edition comes in an oversized, book-design (opened from side to side) box that's virtually identical to the regular edition box, save for slightly darker coloration, the words "Collector's Edition" printed on both sides and the contents of the collector's edition printed on the back, and a sticker on the back that indicates what number out of 62,000 your BG II is (we have number 53,943).  Inside the box, a couple of pieces of cut foam buffer the contents and help keep things in their place.  Or at least, that seems to be why they're there.  In reality, because of the box's weak spine, large size, and loose foam buffer, it's rather awkward to open and equally difficult to keep the contents from sliding all around.  Interplay would have done better to include a cardboard placeholder so that the things inside the box would all have a place to settle.

The Contents
Aside from the CDs, the box contains two identical maps of Amn (one paper, one cloth), a pack (or two) of colorful cards that portray the game's significant NPCs, a multifold Quick Reference Card loaded with helpful information and icons (reminiscent of the trifold dungeon master screen that many pen-and-paper D&Ders are familiar with), a notepad with images from multiple Black Isle Studios games (including BG, BG II, and Fallout 2), a Save $10 on Icewind Dale rebate form (good for purchases made by December 4, 2000), Interplay's Reference and Troubleshooting Guide, and catalog with Black Isle Studios' recent games.  Because of its texture and bright coloration, the cloth map is a nice novelty, but it's a little harder to read than the paper map, which is also colorful, but feels like one of those fold-up Cap'n Crunch treasure maps that were included in cereal boxes for a promotion or two of theirs so many years ago.  Getting two packs of cards was a nice surprise, even though the cards in both packs are identical.  If this was a fluke, it might be worth it to try to find out how many of the 62,000 collector's editions had two packs of cards; if they're rarer than the boxes with only one pack of cards (if there are any), then they'll likely be worth more to collectors.

These additions are trifling at best; the real value of the collector's edition is the bonus CD.  It would have been nice if the additional map, notepad, and trading cards had some utility, or served to some way enhance your BG II experience, but unfortunately they don't.

The CDs
The four standard game CDs are gold reflective (instead of silver reflective), with gold lettering and all the art on the labels colored in.  These things look sharp.  On the other hand, the collector's edition bonus disc is silver reflective and bland in appearance (the label is white with a grayish stripe across the middle and standard BG lettering).  But don't be fooled by the bonus disc's appearance; its contents make the collector's edition the value that it is.

On the bonus disc, you'll find:  concept art, character portraits, tracks from the game, loading screen images, promotional art, an incomplete walkthru for Chapter One, an E3 press movie for BG II, and, most importantly, Deidre.  Deidre is an additional merchant who's located in Ribald's Adventurer's Mart in the Waukeen Promenade (the first area you get to after escaping your underground entrapment).  Deidre has for sale the following magic items, generously plucked from Planescape:  Torment:

1. Dakkon’s Zerth Blade (Katana)
+2 to hit/damage +1 to AC  Memorize extra 1st-, 2nd-, 3rd-, and 4th-level mage
spells.

2. Ravel’s Harp of Pandemonium (only usable by Bards).
This item pushes all enemies away (save or none) and confuses them if they
don’t save vs magic.  (3 times per day)

3. Vhailor’s Helm
Gives +1 to armor class.  Cast simulacrum once per day.

4. Plate of Balduran
+2 full plate armor.  +4 to hit points.  +1 to charisma.

5. Shield of Balduran
+3 medium shield.  Reflects beholder rays.

6. Sword of Balduran
+2 longsword.  +10% to lore.  +10% magic resistance

7. Harmonium Halberd
+3 Halberd.    +1 to strength.  –2 to wisdom and intelligence.

8. MercyKiller ring (only usable by thieves)
+20 set snare, +20 hide, +20 move silently

9. Sensate Amulet (Clerics)
+5 to hit points.  +2 to charisma.  Permanent protection from evil.

10. Robe of Vecna (mages)
Lowers casting time by 4.  Sets armor class to 5.  Gives +10 magic resistance.

These items are all a bit on the ridiculously super-expensive side.

As mentioned before, people who spend the extra ten bucks for the collector's edition in most retail stores ended up missing out on the additional additional bonus disc that was only available online.  That disc added another merchant, Joluv, in the Copper Coronet (also available toward the beginning of the game).  Joluv has for sale the following magic items, generously plucked from Icewind Dale:

1. Staff of Arundel (only useable by druids)
+3 staff.  Can cast 1 bonus 5th- and 6th-level spell.  +10 resistance to fire
and cold.

2. Kachiko’s Wakizashi
+3 Wakizashi.  Drains 2 points of wisdom per hit (sucking their personality
into the blade)

3. Scarlet Brotherhood Ninja-to (only usable by monks)
+3 Ninja-to.  Gives the monk an extra attack per round.  Poisons victim Save
or take 6 damage per round).

4. Sling of Everard
+5 Sling.  This doesn’t need ammo.  It creates +1 sling bullets.

5. Jared’s Mace
+2 Mace.  +5 against demons.

6. Everard’s Morning star
+2 morning star.  50% chance per hit of draining most powerful spell.

7. Spear of Kuldahar
+3 spear.  Gives +8 to maximum hit points

8. The defender of Easthaven (flail)
+2 flail.  +1 to armor class.  +20 resistance to slashing, piercing, blunt
damage.

9. Joril’s dagger (Two handed sword)
+3 Two handed Sword.  +1 frost damage.  25% chance of confusing opponent per
hit (save allowed)

10. Axe of Hrothgar
+3 Battle Axe.  +1 to charisma and wisdom.

Again, Joluv is not available with the edition of the game reviewed here; he was only available if you purchased BG II (either the regular or the collector's edition) online from the Interplay store or from any of the other approved retailers.  These items are also priced well beyond your starting characters' means.

Your best bet would've been to buy the collector's edition online at the Interplay store (or an approved retailer); doing so would have won you both bonus discs.  Apparently, all of the bonus-disc editions are sold out, so you'll either have to do without or hope Interplay re-releases the online-only bonus discs.

Baldur's Gate II:  Shadows of Amn is one of this year's must-have titles.  The collector's edition adds some value to the purchase, but its ultimate value is derived from the fact that it's a collector's edition of such a great game.  Face it:  a collector's edition of just about any other game wouldn't be worth the extra loot unless it came with a bag of gold inside.  The BG II collector's edition might not come with a bag of gold, but it does come with a hearty recommendation from this reviewer.

    --Also, as a side note:  be sure to check out the Neverwinter Nights trailer.  If it can manage to maintain its incredible 3D graphics and otherwise live up to its expectations, Neverwinter Nights will likely change the face of gaming permanently.

Installation:  Medium  The installation is somewhat long because of the size of the game, although it's relatively uncomplicated.  And definitely well worth the wait.

Game Play:  9.5  Interface design and control have been finessed for BG II.  The major complaints from the original, such as the nightmarish pathfinding and miniscule game-screen space, have been satisfactorily addressed.  The additional spells, character kits, skill sets, and dual-weapon abilities make an already complete game-play experience even better.

Graphics:  8.5  Although BG II's graphics are pristine, we have seen better in both Icewind Dale and Planescape Torment.  Making more of the screen viewable is not a substitute for bringing us closer to the characters and monsters.  The animations, however, are top-notch, and with 800 x 600 resolution and 3D spell effects now supported, BG II appears to have made the absolute most of the Infinity engine.

Sound:  9  Once again, the voice-acting, music, background and battle sounds are impeccable.  There were some hardware glitches, with voices at times being inaudible or played simultaneously, but overall, the sounds of BG II contribute to the experience much more than they detract from it.

Difficulty:  10  The difficulty levels of the game are superbly balanced, with multiple and innovative settings for difficulty and sharp monster and NPC AI.  The game grabs you from the beginning and promises not to let go of you for hundreds of hours of play.  The plethora of dialogue not only enhances the story line, it raises the bar for other game developers who are searching for ways to make their games deeper and more meaningful.

Concept:  8  Usually, games that reiterate common themes or that are nothing more than pumped-up, feature-enhanced sequels tend to score lower here.  BG II is a sequel that scores a little higher than most because of its unprecedented level of enhancements and innovations.  Truly, it offers the definitive 2D RPG experience.

Multiplayer:  8.5  BG II does what it does well.  You get more of the same in multiplayer, as with the original BG.  Most gamers would appreciate a multiplayer mode that offers a significantly different experience from the single-player mode, but because BG II is so massive and there are so many compelling side quests, playing online or on a network with your friends and family won't leave you any less satisfied than playing by yourself.

Overall:  9.5  With the exception of Deidre and her wares, the in-game portion of the collector's edition is identical to the regular edition.  Some facets of BG II may seem overly familiar by now, so it loses points in some categories, but when it comes to the game play multiplied by the graphics, sound, difficulty, concept, and multiplayer scores (figuratively speaking), BG II's overall score factors out to a near perfect.  The game is beyond fun and an incredible value (considering that if you were to play two hours a day, it might take you almost half a year to finish the game).  Many games with massive replay value don't even last that long.  The only thing about BG II that could leave gamers wanting for more is the fact that Neverwinter Nights now looms visibly on the RPG horizon.