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Mac-Man 1989 3.5" Hard Disk Softstream Variant w/ Original Nuvo Arcade Adapter Info or Value
Posted by: ED2 on 2026-04-16 07:54:31 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!
Posted by: olePigeon on 2026-04-16 15:05:50 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.
Posted by: ED2 on 2026-04-16 15:41:34 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.
Posted by: olePigeon on 2026-04-17 08:23:38 @ED2 If you have a collection of rare software, might I suggest visiting the AppleSauce Discord channel? You may have some stuff that hasn't been archived. There's probably someone in your area who can help you get those disks backed up so the rare software doesn't fall into obscurity.
Posted by: ED2 on 2026-04-17 08:31:06 @ED2 If you have a collection of rare software, might I suggest visiting the AppleSauce Discord channel? You may have some stuff that hasn't been archived. There's probably someone in your area who can help you get those disks backed up so the rare software doesn't fall into obscurity. Good info. I will check it out. Thank you!
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