Paperboy (NES)

Paperboy
Developer: Eastridge Technology Publishers: Mindscape (US/EU), Altron (JP) Platform: NES Released in JP: January 30, 1991 Released in US: December 1988 Released in EU: October 26, 1990 This game has unused enemies. This game has unused graphics. This game has regional differences. This game has a Data Crystal page

To do: The Japanese version mentions a "secret" involving you throwing a newspaper while pressing B. It doesn't seem to do anything though. Maybe it gives more points?

The NES port of one boy's journey to deliver newspapers. Hope you don't bust any windows while taking down those thieves. Well known for being the first NES game fully developed in the United States.

Unused Graphics

These two graphics banks go completely unused. The first is a sprite bank with graphics that are in an extremely rough state (even for this game). It includes several enemies/obstacles from the arcade game that were omitted from the NES port, along with a few pre-final sprites that did make the cut. The second is a background bank that is identical to the one that is actually used in the game. Both banks were removed/overwritten in the Japanese ROM.

A burglar trying to break into a house through a window. (The mysterious "thief" the "hero paperboy" supposedly stopped.)

A skittering black cat.

This thing. Possibly the explosion graphic for when the paperboy wrecks. Who knows how it's supposed to fit together.

Two guys in a fist fight.

A casual dude leaning on something.

An old lady pushing a shopping cart.

A pizza delivery girl on rollerskates. (Well, in the arcade version at least.)

The guy who runs out and drops bombs. Maybe.

Early	Final

An early version of the titular paperboy. The last vertical frame went untouched in the end.

Early	Final

An early version of the motorcycle rider that drives between blocks.

Early	Final

A ruff version of the dog that gives chase.

Early	Final

An early version of the angry lady that runs out of her house. She has two extra animation frames, including a downed state.

On top of all that, there's also an unused animation frame of the paperboy taking off his cap after completing the training course.

Regional Differences

US	Japan

The paperboy on the title screen Daily Sun was given a more cartoonish and less blocky look for the Japanese release, directly based on official artwork. The typeface was also changed.

US	Japan

The title screen was also given a facelift for the Japanese version.

US	Japan

The default high score table was slightly revamped. The names were changed and the scores were greatly increased.

US	Japan

The rightmost person on the bleachers at the end of the Training Course was recolored. His skin no longer blends into the seat, making him appear headless. Also, the gray color used in the backgrounds was darkened a barely-discernible amount.

US	Japan

In the international versions, making a perfect delivery nets you one extra subscriber. In the Japanese version, it nets you two.

Additionally, newspapers can only be thrown with A in the Japanese version, while the international versions let you use A or B. However, the Japanese version lets you skip cutscenes with B.

In the Japanese version, press the Select button to display the game in Japanese.