Paperboy (1984). Play online

Summary

Paperboy blew onto the arcade floor thanks to its quirky bicycle‑handle controller – a modified Star Wars yoke that you can pull, push, and twist to brake, accelerate, and fling papers. The sideways‑oblique 60‑degree view borrowed from Zaxxon gives a pseudo‑3‑D street where ten out of twenty houses are paying subscribers.

At the start you pick one of three difficulty settings – Easy Street, Middle Road or Hard Way – then race a week‑long route, trying to hit the right yards while dodging cars, skateboards and even rolling tires. Missing a subscriber or breaking their porch costs you a subscription, but racking up damage on non‑subscribers and hitting obstacles nets extra points. Papers are limited, so you must snag bundles left on the curb, and Sunday’s heavier bundles travel more slowly.

The game was quickly ported to dozens of consoles and home computers, cementing its reputation as an early example of innovative cabinet design and quirky, high‑score‑driven fun.

Storyline

In Paperboy, you step into the shoes of a suburban paper delivery kid, tasked with getting the fictional Daily Sun into every subscriber’s mailbox. Each day you race down a winding neighborhood street, dodging cars, dogs, and all sorts of obstacles while trying to keep your customers happy. Mistakes can damage homes or cost you a subscription, so precision matters.

The game’s simple premise hides a frantic rhythm as you balance speed with care, aiming for perfect deliveries and a full route. Every successful drop earns you points and a chance to keep the paper’s circulation alive.