Paperboy (1991-)

• Developer: Atari

• Publisher: Mindscape

• Genre: Action

Paperboy for the NES was developed by Atari Games and released in 1991, with Mindscape handling publishing duties for the console version. The game is an adaptation of the original 1985 arcade title, which gained popularity for its unique gameplay and suburban setting. Paperboy was later ported to numerous other platforms, including the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Game Boy, though the NES version remains one of the more recognized home console adaptations. There were no prequels; the NES release follows directly from the arcade original and preserves its core concept.

In the game, players assume the role of a paperboy delivering newspapers along a suburban street while avoiding hazards such as pedestrians, cars, and stray animals. The objective is to successfully deliver papers to subscribers’ homes while avoiding damage to property and maintaining a high score. The concept draws inspiration from everyday suburban life, translating the mundane task of newspaper delivery into a challenging action game with timing, precision, and reflex-based challenges.

Gameplay combines forward-scrolling action with obstacle avoidance and precision aiming. Players ride a bicycle, controlling speed and direction while throwing newspapers into mailboxes or onto doorsteps. The NES version retains the arcade’s variety of obstacles, from lawnmowers and roadworks to runaway dogs, and introduces multiple stages that increase in difficulty. Timing, trajectory, and awareness of hazards are critical to completing each level, making the game both strategic and reflex-intensive.

The soundtrack features upbeat, energetic compositions that support the game’s fast-paced suburban chaos, with sound effects emphasizing crashes, newspaper throws, and collisions. Paperboy did not have a direct NES sequel, but the franchise saw later iterations on other platforms, including Paperboy 2 in 1991. Promotion highlighted its unique premise, suburban setting, and arcade roots, while reception was generally positive, with critics praising its originality, engaging gameplay, and replayability, though some noted that the controls could be challenging for novice players. Over time, Paperboy has become recognized as a classic example of creative arcade-to-console adaptation.

Images from MobyGames