EPISODE 22: Paperboy

#PA2041, Published by Atari Corp.

In this episode I cover yet another arcade port for the Lynx, Paperboy, released in 1990. Included are statistics for the game and a run-down on how to play it, along with reviews and ratings, some fun facts and trivia, and lots of listener feedback about the game. Also in today’s episode: Monty and I talk about the lost art of delivering newspapers door to door.

“Yes…it’s true…I once owned a Morris Minor to deliver The Heckington Hawker.

Please don’t pity me.” -Monty

PAPERBOY VITAL STATISTICS

Release Date: December of 1990.

Initial Retail Price: $34.99-$39.95 in the US; £29.99 in the UK.

Cartridge Information: 128kB mono curved lip-style cartridge.

Game Genre: Isometric-view 2-dimensional scrolling arcade game for 1 player only.

Screen Playfield Orientation: Landscape (horizontal).

Based On: The arcade cabinet of the same name released by Atari Games in 1984.

Ports to Other Systems: Acorn Electron (1986), Amstrad CPC (1987), Apple ][ (1988), Apple ][gs (1988), Atari ST (1989), BBC Micro (1986), Blackberry (2009), Commodore 16 (1986), Commodore Plus/4 (1986), Commodore 64 (1986), Commodore Amiga (1989), DOS platform (1988), J2ME platform (2005), Nintendo Entertainment System (1988), Nintendo Game Boy (1990), Nintendo Game Boy Color (1999), Sega Game Gear (1991), Sega Genesis (1991), Sega Master System (1990), Xbox 360 (2007), and ZX Spectrum (1986).

Sequels: Paperboy 2 for Amstrad CPC (1991), Atari ST (1992), Commodore Amiga (1992), DOS platform (1991), Nintendo Game Boy (1992), Nintendo Entertainment System (1991), Super Nintendo Entertainment System (1991), Sega Game Gear (1993), Sega Genesis (1992), and ZX Spectrum (1992).

Game Levels: There are three skill levels: Easy Street (easiest), Middle Road (medium difficulty), and Hard Way (hardest). Within each of these skill levels, there are seven stages, one for each day of the week.

Number of Players: 1 (no ComLynx support).

Packaging: A full-color standard flap-tab regular-size box (5 3/8″ by 4 3/8″ by 7/8″). The French variant included a lapel pin and French-language manual, And the Japanese variant included Japanese verbiage on the box back, along with a Japanese-language manual. There was also a blister pack variant sold.

Instruction Manual: A 12-page (including front and back covers) stapled regular-sized booklet manual in monochrome, measuring the usual 4 7/8” high by 3 ¾” wide. The manual was released in English in North America and in Europe, in a full-color Japanese manual in Japan, and in French in France. The manual was written by veteran Atari Lynx manual writer Scott Rhoades.

PAPERBOY CREDITS

Original Arcade: Atari Games Corporation

Publisher: Atari Corporation

Licensee: Tengen, Inc.

Developer: Al Baker & Associates

Programmer: Al Baker

Sound: David Tumminaro

Original Art: Elite Systems

Lynx Art: Nathan BakerBe sure to check out our partner <a style="col...