Today, BioWare announced plans to release a Collector's Edition for Mass Effect 2, which is due out on January 26th. What did they add to justify a $10 price increase on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions? Glad you asked!

• Premium Tin Case
• 48-Page Hardcover "Art of Mass Effect 2" Book
• Issue 1 of the Mass Effect Redemption Comic Book
• Behind-the-Scenes and Making of DVD
• Unique In-Game Weapons and Armor

I hate tin cases, they throw off my Xbox 360 games shelf. Eh, at least it's better than the cardboard case Batman: Arkham Asylum came in. At least it came with the creepy journal and batarang, though, the lack of anything insane and tangible in this one is regrettable. I'm sure most of us would fork over an additional $10 for a Commander Shepard figure or, say, a replica of one of the many cool machine guns in the series. Still, though, $10 for all of the content that comes packed in this box is mighty impressive, and while it doesn't hold a candle to some of the other Collector's Editions to come out this year it's still definitely worth a purchase for anyone interested in the series. If you're not, then go pick up the original with that $10, and beat it in time to save the galaxy with the rest of us in January.

The press release is below, anyone besides me and Luke picking this up?

Edmonton, Alberta (November 5, 2009) – Recruit your crew and fight for the lost! Leading video game developer BioWare™, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that the internationally acclaimed Shooter RPG Mass Effect™ 2 will also be released as a Collectors’ Edition in limited quantities. Available on January 26 in North America (Jan 29 in EU) alongside the standard edition, the Collectors’ Edition of Mass Effect 2 comes in a premium, tin case and includes the full version of the game, a 48-page hardcover “Art of Mass Effect 2” book, Issue 1 of the Mass Effect Redemption comic book, and a bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes and making-of videos. In addition, the Mass Effect 2 Collectors’ Edition will include unique in-game weapons and armor that can only be obtained by purchasing this version. With its larger-than-life hero Commander Shepard, intense shooter action, nuanced characters and a rich storyline, Mass Effect 2 is one of the most anticipated titles of 2010.

“We’re really excited to roll out this Collectors’ Edition featuring so many unique items, including special Collectors’ Edition armor and weapons and content that will surprise Mass Effect fans,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, co-founder, BioWare and Group General Manager of the RPG/MMO Group of EA. “The limited edition comic book and bonus DVD will really enhance and expand the overall Mass Effect 2 experience.”

The Mass Effect trilogy is an emotionally charged science fiction adventure set in a vast universe filled with dangerous alien life and mysterious, uncharted planets. In Mass Effect 2, players will once again step into the role of the heroic Commander Shepard, commanding their crew of some of the most dangerous operatives from across the galaxy on a mission so challenging that it’s potentially suicidal. Featuring intense shooter action, a rich futuristic storyline, space exploration and emotionally engaging character interaction, the game delivers an unparalleled cinematic experience.

Mass Effect 2 will be available on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system and PC. The Mass Effect 2 Collectors’ Edition will retail at an MSRP of $69.99 on Xbox 360 and $59.99 on PC. Mass Effect 2 assets are available at info.ea.com. Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/masseffect2. For more information on Mass Effect 2, go to http://masseffect.bioware.com/.