Best port of Paper boy?

[courtesi1]

Best port of paper boy?

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

First off, nothing compares to having the handlebar controls of the arcade cabinet.

Personally I don't enjoy any of the 8/16 bit era conversions, the NES version is especially terrible despite it being nostalgic to a lot who grew up with it.

It wasn't until the 32 bit era and beyond (when they could port the arcade rom directly) that we got excellent home versions.

My personal favorites are the version found on the PS1 Midway Arcade's Greatest Hits Atari Collection Volume 2 and the XBOX Live Arcade.

Both run from the arcade roms and are emulated well.

I prefer the PS1 version to those found on PS2 era collections due to the fact that (as far as my memory serves) you can tweak the sensitivity of the analog inputs in the game options, for some reason control sensitivity options weren't available in the ps2 era collections for that game and Paperboy is a game that really really needs a sweet spot where analog and/or digital controls are concerned.

I'm fairly certain that the XBLA version is no longer available due to Midway's bankruptcy and the de-listing of a majority of its back catalog.

The XBLA version controls well and has some interesting online competitive/cooperative scoring modes.

[armonigann]

All IMO in order from fave to worst. (that I own)

Arcade Treasures CG: Best port I own hands down. Very well emulated from original.

.Genesis: The Genny did an awesome job w/ this port and controls excellent w/ the d-pad.

NES: Looks like ass, but plays very well and is very enjoyable for what it is.

SMS: God awful version! Looks wonderful 8-bitfully, but the controls are horrid and who the hell thought making this version where you can't hit 80% of stuff in the game w/ papers was ok?

[InsaneDavid]

First off, nothing compares to having the handlebar controls of the arcade cabinet.

With this in mind, I'd have to say the Lynx version.

[Baloo]

Personally, I think the Genesis port is the way to go. Great controls and gameplay. Also not as frustrating as the arcade.

[j_factor]

Genesis. I have Midway Arcade Treasures and I think the Genesis version is actually better.

[boatofcar]

My favorite is the NES version, but like Frankie Says, it's probably nostalgia talking. I thought the original handlebar controls were awkward, but then again I think the 720 stick is too. I've never tried the Lynx version, though I want to!

[Brianvgplayer]

I liked the Atari Collection 2 version for PS1. The GBC one is disappointing. Some windows can't be hit and the hit detection is off.

[keldon]

I was pretty happy with the XBLA version. As mentioned before, I was raised on the NES version and still enjoy it off and on today. I haven't had much of a chance to play the other versions, but I thought the Game Gear version was ok as well.

[Tron 2.0]

Good as it got was on (midway arcade treasure vol1) for the xbox,PS2,gc.Yeah it 'has no handlebar controlls like what the arcade has but that's close as ya can get.

Btw the only other port i've played was on the nes wich was terrible.It,lacked the grahpics and sound of the arcade plus the nes d-pad didn't sit well with me for paperboy.

[Wraith Storm]

With this in mind, I'd have to say the Lynx version.

InsaneDavid speaks the truth.

The Atari Lynx port is by far one of the best Paperboy ports. As Frankie stated earlier, Paperboy is all about the controls and the Lynx nailed them. Some versions might have better graphics, the Lynx's were pretty good however, but I have yet to play a console version old or new that plays as good as the Lynx version. The steering and paper throwing is as precise as it can be and the bicycle acceleration is handled really well.

Also The Lynx version sounds fantastic, but I have a soft spot for the Lynx's sound chip.

[tom]

The Lynx might have had only a small library of titles, but not really any duffs in there.
Paperboy on Lynx rocks.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

The Lynx might have had only a small library of titles, but not really any duffs in there.
Paperboy on Lynx rocks.

I agree that it's good on the Lynx. Can't think of an arcade port on that system that isn't great. Much love for Lynx here.

[tom]

Yep, I recently sold my Lynx collection, which was complete (all known games sold in shops, no homebrews), but now I have the fun of re-collecting with the aim of completing again.

[courtesi1]

It wasn't until the 32 bit era and beyond (when they could port the arcade rom directly) that we got excellent home versions.

My personal favorites are the version found on the PS1 Midway Arcade's Greatest Hits Atari Collection Volume 2 and the XBOX Live Arcade.

Both run from the arcade roms and are emulated well.


AFAIK the XBL version was pulled. The PS1 version (in Midway) is not an emulation but a port (same goes for Gauntlet.)

This is semi-good news because this was really the only thing making me own a PSX for. How does the XBOX 1/Midways version of Paperboy handle? This for sure is an emulated version.

I tried the Dreamcast version this weekend and felt the control was a little wonky.

[Boltorano]

I didn't even know this game wasn't originally on the NES until a month ago. I never went to arcades when I was younger, the closest one I knew about was at the mall 45 minutes away.

I also never heard of the SMS until a year ago, so keep that in mind...

[Zing]

Just use MAME.

[courtesi1]

Just use MAME.

I'll likely play the Atari Lynx version, Genny, and MAME on a handheld modded or gp2x.

I will own a copy of it for the Sega Genesis but that will likely be the only one I own.

[Flack]

I grew up playing the C64 version so much that a few months ago when I played the real deal at the Pinball Hall of Fame in Vegas, I had to relearn all of the patterns.

The Genesis one is pretty good. I've never played the NES one; I'll have to try that one too.

I may eventually track down one of those cabinets and put it next to my 720.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Been playing it a lot in MAME lately ... a problem across all versions of MAME (that I've ever used) is that no matter how you adjust the analog sensitivity/dead-zone/joystick saturation and digital speed, the paperboy always always slow drifts to the right as you progress.

This may relate to something physical in the original arcade hardware that you could tweak adjust to compensate.


AFAIK the XBL version was pulled. The PS1 version (in Midway) is not an emulation but a port (same goes for Gauntlet.)

This is semi-good news because this was really the only thing making me own a PSX for. How does the XBOX 1/Midways version of Paperboy handle? This for sure is an emulated version.

I tried the Dreamcast version this weekend and felt the control was a little wonky.

...what would be the difference between "emulation" and a "port" of the original arcade code? Same thing, no?

[j_factor]

the paperboy always always slow drifts to the right as you progress.

Midway Arcade Treasures has this problem too.


...what would be the difference between "emulation" and a "port" of the original arcade code? Same thing, no?

No, not at all. :hmm:

[boatofcar]

The drifting might have something to do with a difficulty feature of the game, not unlike Desert Bus.

[Leo_A]

...what would be the difference between "emulation" and a "port" of the original arcade code? Same thing, no?

One is the conversion of the code (And oftentimes, partial replacement of it with something more suitable for the modern system it's now running on) to run natively on the hardware, the other runs the original code through a program running on the modern hardware that replicates the functions of the original hardware. Generally, emulation is the preferred method for the highest degree of accuracy since it's the original code running through, what in theory, should be the original hardware (Of course it's never perfect).

There is a nice overview of this subject in this writeup from Jeff Vavasour, who was a big component of Digital Eclipse from it's beginning until Foundation 9 closed them up. Now he's at Code Mystics where they're carrying on where Digital Eclipse left off. He explains it better than I ever could, so I won't even bother trying to paraphrase what he wrote.

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2185/back_to_the_classics_perfecting_.php

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

One is the conversion of the code (And oftentimes, partial replacement of it with something more suitable for the modern system it's now running on) to run natively on the hardware, the other runs the original code through a program running on the modern hardware that replicates the functions of the original hardware. Generally, emulation is the preferred method for the highest degree of accuracy since it's the original code running through, what in theory, should be the original hardware (Of course it's never perfect).

There is a nice overview of this subject in this writeup from Jeff Vavasour, who was a big component of Digital Eclipse from it's beginning until Foundation 9 closed them up. Now he's at Code Mystics where they're carrying on where Digital Eclipse left off. He explains it better than I ever could, so I won't even bother trying to paraphrase what he wrote.

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2185/back_to_the_classics_perfecting_.php

Ah.

Thanks for the clarification!

[treismac]

I'm with Flack on the Commodore 64 version. It was my Paperboy as a kid and I loved it. I remember being unimpressed with the NES version back in the day, though I like it well enough now. I have Midway's PS2 arcade collection with Paperboy, which I like least of all of the versions I own.
Being that I no longer have a C64 I need to get my emulation on to play my original Mindscape introduction to the game once more.

[treismac]

After briefly emulating the Genesis version and loving it, I took to ebay and won it for under three bucks (shipping included). I hope to amend my two cents on the weighty matter of the best Paperboy port shortly. Till then...

[FieryReign]

The controls on PS2 Midway's Arcade Treasures version sucks. Using the 2nd analog stick to control your speed is not very intuitive, and as far as I know, they're not customizable.

I too, prefer the Genesis port...

[bigbacon]

i find the SMS version way better than the NES version.

[Koa Zo]

The Playstation version of Arcade Greatest Hits The Atari Collection 2 supports the neGcon controller.
I'm not certain, but I think Paperboy is playable with the neGcon, which is about as close to handlebar controllers as we'll get on a home system. (ahem, besides the Sega SG-1000 handlebar controller for Hang On)

[treismac]

Wow. The Genesis version arrived today, and it is night and day between it and the NES and the C64 versions. Even apart from the different obstacles to interact with and to avoid, it almost plays like a different game because it's so much more responsive with its controls and hit detection. Most importantly, of course, is that the game is considerably more fun than frustrating, which is a questionable call in the NES version at times. The NES version of Paperboy is, unfortunately, one of those games that you feel like you are battling its programmers just as much if not more than the actual game itself. The Genny port conversely is smooth, bright, and a joy to play. Win. Without question, the Genesis version is the best Paperboy I've ever played. The NES version always felt cheap and even capricious in its decisions to register a collision or not, but the Genesis version is spot on in its calls, just like Paperboy ought to be. As I've recently revisited the C64 version, I can say that it is both more enjoyable and playable than the NES version despite its fairly blah aesthetic, so I recommend checking it out to fans of Paperboy as its a cool take on the game with a somewhat infectious SID tune running alongside the game. It makes me groove, anyway...

As a retro gamer who appreciates different ports of video games, I'll have to pick up the Lynx and Master System versions one day in the not too distant future.

[jammajup]

Well with the Arcade emulations on compilations and Mame to one side i think the Genesis and Master System versions are best,now i think about it to be honest i have not played a bad version,even the ZX Speccy and Gameboy versions are reasonable .

[TheRetroVideoGameAddict]

The only Paperboy games i ever owned would be the NES version and the Tiger handheld version, and since Paperboy on the NES is a top 100 game for me I'd have to put it at the top of the Paperboy list.

[Neb6]

Because I totally suck at Paper Boy, my favorite version is a knock-off of it on the Color Computer II called Paper Route.

Why? Because it's way easier.

:)

[8-Bit Archeology]

The only Paperboy games i ever owned would be the NES version and the Tiger handheld version, and since Paperboy on the NES is a top 100 game for me I'd have to put it at the top of the Paperboy list.

The white with yellow buttons tiger handheld. Loved it. And to me it was easier to play than the NES port.

Just bought Paperboy 2 for the SNES today. What a smack in the face. I need to relearn this game. :\

[MetalFRO]

I'll be "that guy" and chime in with the port almost no one has played, which came out for the IBM PCjr. It was specifically coded for that platform (and I think maybe for Tandy as well), and it was a good port. The PCjr's chintzy joystick worked well for the game, and with the PCjr's 16-color graphics (like a low-res EGA), it looked good too. That was how I played Paperboy as a kid. I think I only played the NES version once maybe, and the arcade game only once or twice as well. But if you can find the PCjr port and still have a working unit (I do!), it's a fun conversion.

[TheRetroVideoGameAddict]

Even though I know it's not the "best" port by other peoples standards I stick with the NES game simply because that's what I grew up with and that's the version that brings me the most joy. I remember renting the game over and over until I got a copy for some holiday back in like 1991, I was so happy that I finally had it I played it through about a dozen times before I touched anything else. The game means a lot to me and is definitely a top 100 game of all-time in my book, and I also had (and actually enjoyed) the Tiger handheld version of the game I got back in 1990.

[Doommaster1994]

For me, it's definitely the Genesis version. And to think that was the same company that developed the NES Dragon's Lair (MotiveTime, Ltd.) Mark Cooksey's arrangements of the arcade music are perfectly done.

I own two copies of the NES version which I was only able to beat once. It's a good port. I think Nick Eastridge did the whole NES port. I only got to play the real arcade once at the Pinball Hall of Fame and that was pretty good. I remember asking my dad when he was a paper boy if any of the stuff in the game happened to him and he said no. XD