Paperboy
The player character, a bicycle-riding newspaper carrier trying to complete each day's route.
Documented for this version
Which controls does this version use?
Actions
Handlebars | Steer the bicycle left or right |
|---|---|
Left button | Throw a newspaper toward the left side |
Right button | Throw a newspaper toward the right side |
Control notes
The original arcade cabinet uses bicycle-style handlebars and dedicated newspaper buttons.
How it plays
How does Paperboy play?
The player views the street from a three-quarter perspective and rides from the bottom of the screen toward the end of the route. The objective is to deliver newspapers to marked subscribers while avoiding crashes and preserving as many customers as possible.
The route contains traffic, animals, construction hazards, ramps, and other obstacles. Newspapers can be thrown toward houses on either side of the street. After the delivery section, a separate obstacle course awards points for successful jumps and careful riding. Progress continues through successive delivery days, with the subscriber list changing according to performance.
Plan your run
What is the best way to play Paperboy?
Prioritize safe steering over maximum speed. Learn the position of hazards before committing to a lane, and keep enough room to correct your course.
Deliver to every visible subscriber when practical, but do not risk a crash for a difficult throw. Use the training course to learn the timing of ramps and obstacles, since its patterns are useful for improving later runs.
Meet the cast
Who are the key characters?
Before you begin
What should you know before playing?
- 1
Watch the road ahead rather than focusing only on the next house.
- 2
Preserve subscribers by making accurate deliveries and avoiding unnecessary collisions.
- 3
Use the training course to practice steering and jump timing.
Community discussion
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