I try to avoid “Collector’s Editions” of games since the regular versions tend to be pricey enough, but this time I got sucked in. Gamestop has listed the Spore Galactic Edition for $79.99, currently scheduled to ship on September 7th.

Extras of this addition are:

• ‘Making of Spore’ DVD video
• ‘How to Build a Better Being’ DVD video, by National Geographic Channel
• ‘The Art of Spore’ hardback mini-book
• Fold-out Spore poster
• Premium 100-page Galactic Handbook

I’m banking on Will Wright being heavily involved in the Making Of video, and I’m interested in the Nat Geo DVD as well. I’ve heard the latter referred to as “The Human Toolkit” in other places, and it apparently uses Spore’s graphics to discuss evolutionary theory. I figure if I get 2 half-way decent DVDs as extras, that’s worth $20, and the rest of the junk and cool packaging are worth another $10.

Now let’s just hope the full game is 1/10th as compelling as the Creature Creator is.