Mac-Man 1989 3.5" Hard Disk Softstream Variant w/ Original Nuvo Arcade Adapter Info or Value

[ED2]

Hello,
I’m looking for some help identifying the market value and rarity of a recent find. I have a copy of Mac-Man, but it’s a version I haven’t seen much documentation on.
The box is the original "Big Box" style, but the 3.5" disk has a Softstream label dated 1989, rather than the more common 1986 Nuvo Labs label. Most importantly, it includes the original Nuvo Labs Arcade Adapter but no manual.
I know the Nuvo hardware is a bit of a "holy grail" for early Compact Mac gaming, but I’m curious if this 1989 Softstream release is considered a rare variant or a later budget re-release.
Has anyone seen this specific edition sell recently, or can you provide a realistic appraisal for a complete set like this? I am considering putting it up for auction but want to make sure I’m starting it at a fair price.
Thanks for any insights!

 

[olePigeon]

Hard to dig up any information, but yes, it would appear to be a budget publisher for independent developers.

Typically (although not always the case), the budget version is more common. It was offered at a steep discount compared to the original retail copy. It was expensive to get your software on store shelves, so these budget catalogs were a great way to get exposure for your software in the early days. I wouldn't say it's necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes games because really popular after they went to the cheap catalogs, and that's the version people have fond memories of.

I couldn't comment on the price because I couldn't find any sold examples. However, you appear to have the most important pieces, save for the manual, and it's in nice condition. 80% of original version? That'd be my guess. You'll probably have some cross-over value, because as you said, the adapter is very important. Someone may have the original version and all they need is the adapter. They might mix & match.

 

[ED2]

Hard to dig up any information, but yes, it would appear to be a budget publisher for independent developers.

Typically (although not always the case), the budget version is more common. It was offered at a steep discount compared to the original retail copy. It was expensive to get your software on store shelves, so these budget catalogs were a great way to get exposure for your software in the early days. I wouldn't say it's necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes games because really popular after they went to the cheap catalogs, and that's the version people have fond memories of.

I couldn't comment on the price because I couldn't find any sold examples. However, you appear to have the most important pieces, save for the manual, and it's in nice condition. 80% of original version? That'd be my guess. You'll probably have some cross-over value, because as you said, the adapter is very important. Someone may have the original version and all they need is the adapter. They might mix & match.

Thank you for the information. I also ask for help in the trader forum category ( I did not know which category to use) about Mighty Nerd CIB from 1989 and it seems to be extremely rare. A wealthy man passed and I bought his collection from their estate sale.