Atari Games' arcade original used handlebar controls; this 1988 NES version, published by Mindscape, translates the job to a D-pad. The player rides a bicycle along a diagonal suburban street for a week of deliveries, Monday through Sunday, throwing papers into the mailboxes or onto the doorsteps of subscribers. Non-subscribers' houses are fair game for vandalism, and breaking their windows earns points.
Missing deliveries costs subscribers, and losing all of them ends the game. The street is full of moving hazards such as cars and dogs, and the player must also grab bundles of papers to stay stocked. At the end of each day there is a bonus ride through a training course with targets and jumps. The NES port has fewer colors and simpler graphics than the arcade, but the core loop of steering, throwing and dodging is intact.
Tips for Paperboy
Subscribers' houses are drawn in bright colors and non-subscribers' in dark ones, so watch the colors as you ride.
Slow down on difficult stretches so you have time to aim and avoid hazards.
Grab paper bundles whenever you see them; running out mid-route is costly.
How to Play Paperboy
Click Play Now to launch Paperboy directly in your browser — no downloads or plugins needed. The arrows steer and control speed, and Z or X throws a paper. Enter pauses. You can also connect a USB or Bluetooth gamepad for a more authentic feel.
Save states let you save your progress at any point. Create a free account to sync saves across devices. Press F11 for fullscreen mode.
Playing Paperboy is easy: press "Play Now" above and the game starts right in your browser window. Our emulator handles everything — no extra software needed.
Is Paperboy free to play?
Absolutely! Paperboy is 100% free on RetroVault.GG. No subscriptions, no hidden fees — just open the page and play.
What console is Paperboy for?
Paperboy was originally released for the NES. On RetroVault.GG, you can play it online in your browser without needing the original console.
What genre is Paperboy?
Paperboy is a action game. It was made for the NES.
Can I play Paperboy on my phone?
Paperboy is fully playable on mobile devices. Open this page in your phone's browser and tap Play Now — touch controls appear automatically.