I vaguely remember reading somewhere that GoG bundled some of the games in their library with popular mods like hi-res patches and I'm wondering if this is the case with FO2 as well.

The mods I otherwise plan to install are:

- unofficial patch
- hi-res
- restoration project

I think there was also a mod available that added some scripting functionality (possibly item highlight?) but I don't remember what it was called.

I have a "classic" version, but I suppose that Bethesda one is the same or very similar. GOG install includes sfall and HiRes patch. Item highlighting is an option included in sfall.

I recommend updating sfall to the most recent version (for now it's 4.2).
Restoration Project is also highly recommended, unless you want to play the game as it was, in its rushed for a release state, back then. Nostalgia or scientific interest are the only reasons to play it that way, IMHO.

So, all you need is to install RP and then update and configure sfall (in this order).

Thank you! Fwiw, I do have the Classic version too (bought years ago), I wasn't even aware that there is a separate Bethesda version available as well.

I'm trying to find a way to mark your answer as the Solution but it's not showing up anywhere on my interface.

When Bethesda acquired the Fallout brand, they just withdrew existing versions and re-issued all games with new logo slapped on. :>
In fact, classic version is somewhat better, because currently available one doesn't come with bonus content of classic release. No problem. :)
You have to start a topic as a question type (it shows as yellow bullet, instead of green one) to be able to mark it as answered/solved.