The Micro User
1st July 1987
Paperboy is a conversion of the arcade game of the same name. As the new local paperboy, you must deliver your wares to all the regular customers, while at the same time creating as much damage as possible to the homes of non-customers.
The title screen - a highly detailed front page of a news paper, embellished with several different typefaces - promises a graphical feast.
Press the spacebar to begin the game and you are faced with a two-colour, high-resolution stick man. This may prove a disappointment to people expecting graphics of a similar standard to those of the arcade game.
The controls consist of left/right, accelerate/brake, turbo speed and throw. As play begins you are pedalling at full speed, which isn't particularly breathtaking. The only way to go faster is to press the accelerate and turbo keys simultaneously. After a short delay you will experience a startling increase in speed.
Cycling up the street you must throw a newspaper into mailboxes positioned outside some of the houses. Those without mailboxes are fair game for vandalism, so smash as many windows as possible while riding past.
Each ditty deed istotted up asa bonus score and awarded at the end of the round. Be careful not to damage a customer's property though, or you'll lose every bonus point you've accrued.
So keen is your employer to improve your cycling skills he has constructed a BMX park, so at the end of each day's work you go to the park and race against the clock for more bonus points. When attempting a jump besure to activate the turbo as soon as you are lined up with the ramp, or you'll never make it.
Life is not as simple as it at first appears, because footpaths and roads are alive with obstacles. You can easily come to grief by hitting dogs, balls, workmen, radio- controlled cars, drunks and Sinclair C5s.
One annoying feature about losing a life is the fact that you are returned tothescreen in turbo mode and the brakes don't appear to work. It is not unusual to hit a second object before you have regained control of the bike.
If you're looking for a BBC version of Paperboy then be my guest, but please ask to see a demo before you part with your cash.
Other BBC Model B Game Reviews By Steve Brook
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