XBLA 2/14 game is Paperboy

[Sporadic]

Guess MS loves us not. :cry:

On Wednesday, we'll be releasing the 80's arcade classic "Paperboy," from Digital Eclipse/Midway.

More information in the alert we sent the media.

The coin-op favorite returns but this time it’s enhanced with original content specifically designed for Xbox Live Arcade. A new multiplayer mode will allow gamers to deliver the paper co-operatively together on the same console, or over Xbox Live.

“Paperboy” will be available worldwide for 400 Microsoft Points. Rated E for Everyone; Mild Animated Violence.

Game Features

· Seven stages (one for each day of the week) and 3 levels of difficulty – “Easy Street,” “Middle Road” or “Hard Way”

· New Xbox Live multiplayer: The standard multiplayer mode involves two player co-op play which can take place on the same console or over Xbox Live

· High scores are tracked on the Xbox Live Leaderboard

· Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points

http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2007/02/12/540900.aspx

But thankfully it only gets better from here.

Well there are ten nine eight games lined up for release.

3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures
Alien Hominid HD
Band of Bugs
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Catan
Eets: Chowdown
LUXOR 2
Paperboy
Root Beer Tapper
Worms

[pimpinc333]

Castlevania Needs to come out soon. Please Please!

[Apossum]

:wall: :wall: :wall: :wall: :wall:

[RudyPants]

Fun game back in the day, but extremely frustrating. At least its better than Root Beer Tapper ... or is it?

[Weedy649]

Well seeing as how they said Castlevania was to be a Feb release, i think we can count it in either next week or the week after.

Then again...Alien Hominid and Worms were said to be coming in january iirc. What i dont get though, is that double dragon is said to have a march release. If those are the next 8 releases(not counting weeks where we only get a patch), then how is Double Dragon going to make it anywhere near that March target?

[shipwreck]

I was #1 in the world at this game on Midway Arcade Treasures for quite awhile. Hopefully, I'll be able to control this version well enough to be respectable. This is a definite buy for me as this is one of my and mrs. shipwreck's favorite games of all time.

Yes, I know I shouldn't support Microsoft and that I should be upset that this is the XBLA release this week, but this is Paperboy!

[Tha Xecutioner]

technically this thread is a repost..but oh well, it's already gotten more responses.

why no love for Paperboy?

[Indiana]

Lame. I have Midway Arcade Treasures. It contains Rootbeer tapper, gauntlet AND Paperboy. So are the other Midway games from this disk coming out over the next 2 months? Talk about being double charged.

[Mr Unoriginal]

Lame. I have Midway Arcade Treasures. It contains Rootbeer tapper, gauntlet AND Paperboy. So are the other Midway games from this disk coming out over the next 2 months? Talk about being double charged.

I was just going to post something along these lines. They should at least space out their Midway Arcade Treasures double dips. The more that come out on XBLA, the less they are worth when you can pick them all up for $10.

[Kapwanil]

I like Paperboy but I own it in at least three different forms.

Honestly, just to quell gamers, they really should have opted for one of the other titles instead if they were ready. Toss the XBLA audience a new title or at least something interesting and a little more recent and that could have placated them more than...what is it? Weeks of classics or nothing in a row?

Heck, I'd be thrilled with a mini BC update. Don't have anything for XBLA? Toss a BC game or two on there instead. That'd be fun. But I live in Fantasyland, so that ain't happening.

[RAMSTORIA]

wtf happened to castle crashers. hmph

[gunm]

Still waiting on SOTN. Oh well, patience is a virtue I guess.

[glockant]

i'll say the same thing i said about root beer tapper...at least it's out of the way.

[jrutz]

Boy did Canessa really leave things in a state... blame him, not the new guy.

[Brak]

I used to hate this game...

[Apossum]

I'll concede that paperboy is good, but we haven't had a really good, current game since Lumines.

[Flyersfan]

Wow, I loved that game when I was younger. I still play it at my aunts house, she has a NES hooked up, I go over there every Thanksgiving.



Definite buy for me.

[mykevermin]

I was #1 in the world at this game on Midway Arcade Treasures for quite awhile.

In a field of how many? :lol:

So, I take it that Midway Arcade Treasures ain't BC?

[AshesofWake]

i'm so fucking excited for this, omg!

[shipwreck]

In a field of how many? :lol:

Bajillions. (Assuming that only one person played on each Gamertag.)

[terribledeli]

wtf happened to castle crashers. hmph

The Behemoth said it wasn't coming for months.

As for Paperboy, I'll bite. Its one of my favorite arcade games.

That being said, I was banking on them releasing a major new release after outcry over Rootbeer Tapper.

[jollydwarf]

Somehow I sense that if Symphony of the Night doesn't hit by the 21st, it's going to slip and slip and slip...probably be a fuckin' Halloween 'treat', given XBLA's track record. Shit.

On the Midway double-dipping tip, give me some fuckin' Sinistar with Achievements and online play. I wasn't as good at that game as shipwreck apparently is with this game, but I was in the top ten for awhile.

P.S. Passing on Paperboy.

[shipwreck]

Oh, I'm sure I'll suck at this now, but I'll blame the controls and Greg Canessa for my downfall. :)

[Richlough]

Somehow I sense that if Symphony of the Night doesn't hit by the 21st, it's going to slip and slip and slip...probably be a fuckin' Halloween 'treat', given XBLA's track record. Shit.

On the Midway double-dipping tip, give me some fuckin' Sinistar with Achievements and online play. I wasn't as good at that game as shipwreck apparently is with this game, but I was in the top ten for awhile.

P.S. Passing on Paperboy.

Castlevania is not even on the radar yet .

[ryanbph]

Then again...Alien Hominid and Worms were said to be coming in january iirc.

The guy behind the studio that makes worms said that they have missed several launch dates...they weren't happy with the balance of the game...check gamertag radio episode 85 I believe about 20min into the show..

[Pancake Rabbit]

fuck you microsoft just make my copy of midway arcade treasures backwards compatible.

[Chris in Cali]

I can play this on my computer, and PSP for free... and I still don't. No way will I pay $5 for this game that's be re-released a billion different times, and that I've already played to death years ago.

[elsnow77]

this game's actually pretty fun. but, not 400 pts fun. I bet you can find a free flash version of this online somewhere. At least, it's not rootbeer tapper. :(

[I AM WILLIAM H. MACY]

I give up. Goodbye, XBLA. You've disappointed me too many times.

[DCriminal]

Wow. I'm glad that some people will download and enjoy this game. I, however, am not one of those people.

I was hoping for something new to play this week... oh well...

[swetooth9]

technically this thread is a repost..but oh well, it's already gotten more responses.

why no love for Paperboy?

it's not that there's no love for paperboy, it's just that we were all expecting some other big release (aka worms, casltevania, alien hominid, etc.)

[Graystone]

I'm geeked, one of my favorite games ever.

[2Fast]

I'm buying it, I love Paperboy for it's nastalgic/comedic value.

[lilboo]

Oh c'mon some of you people! Paperboy is a great game!!

Though, I remember the SNES version (..Super Paperboy?), and that was better. Which means it'll be out on the Wii soon and I'll probably buy both lol :(

[KaneRobot]

In a field of how many? :lol:

So, I take it that Midway Arcade Treasures ain't BC?
MAT sold ok if I remember correctly.


Pretty crappy release, but I don't fault them at this point. It'll take a month or so before we get rid of the gross Canessa aftertaste.

If we're still trickling out bullshit at, say, the end of April...we need to have more changes.

Castlevania is not even on the radar yet .
Wasn't it on the "upcoming games starting in February" list?

[jer7583]

Bah! was hoping for SotN.

[heybtbm]

make my copy of midway arcade treasures backwards compatible.

I think we all know why this will never happen.

[CaseyRyback]

Bah! was hoping for SotN.

I am so suprised that this has not dropped yet. After lost planet there was nothing coming out until Crackdown so they would have maximized sales releasing it in between instead of trying to compete with Crackdown.

[spidey]

I played the shit out of NES Paperboy but never tried Midway's version. How similar is it?

[danny-o]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b390/Abigail8/dont.jpg

[LinkinPrime]

I'm down for it as long as its not as glitchy as frogger and pacman.

[fraggedbylaggers]

^ I think will be seeing that above picture for the next few weeks...

[slickkill77]

I may get it if the controls dont suck. I loved the snes version. They better release some good games soon though. I have a feeling it will be a while though guys because theres a mlb 2k7 demo coming out soon so that means no arcade game

[danked]

blah more worthlessness...

[Jek Porkins]

I give up. Goodbye, XBLA. You've disappointed me too many times.

I'd believe you if 4 of your last 5 games played weren't XBLA games. :)

[BustaUppa]

Heh, I actually rented this game for my Amiga computer back in the day. I remember liking the music in it. Probably won't get this since I already have it on some PS1 compilation disc, unless the new multiplayer stuff seems interesting. Didn't this game originally use some sort of "handlebar" controller in the arcade? Or am I just making that up?

[-Never4ever-]

technically this thread is a repost..but oh well, it's already gotten more responses.

why no love for Paperboy?

Because of all the more wanted games that were supposed to be released in its place. This move doesn't really hurt me, as I'll broke ass for about a month or so, plus I have SoTN on my PSP to keep me busy :-D

I just wish M$ would get the hint and drop old arcade games in bunchs, rather than one at a time. Think like Nintendo and the VC. Nintendo either drops 3-4 NES games at once, or 2-3 SNES games, or 1 N64 game every monday. M$ needs to take a page out of Sony's book and start "adopting" some of Nintendos strategies

[Chacrana]

Honestly, the only game I'm even remotely interested in now is Worms... 3D Ultra Minigolf? Blow me.

[lordxixor101]

I'm just getting to a point where, take the games that the masses will be least interested in, and then release those now.

What's interesting though is, I have a Marketing MBA class on Monday's. They say how, technically, the December holiday shopping season extends through January, with the gift card purchases. Around February is when shoppers stop buying stuff to catch up on their money for spring purchases.

If this is true, then the current February release schedule for XBLA makes sense. Why release good stuff that won't get purchased by the masses, and then will be old by the time people come back to buy. Might as well release Rootbeer Tapper and Paperboy.

I like Paperboy, but I think I'll pass. I had it back in time on the Commodore 64 I believe. I could see it being an eventual purchase, but I'm not jumping on it right now.

[Flyersfan]

If MS released more than one game a week, the xbla would, in all likelyhood, not extend the full lifetime of the 360. I'd rather them do one a week than run out later next year.

[Roufuss]

Looks like the VC gets my money again this week.

[delirium266]

If MS released more than one game a week, the xbla would, in all likelyhood, not extend the full lifetime of the 360. I'd rather them do one a week than run out later next year.
Why? If, just for example, all of the XBLA games were completed and ready to go, you would rather have the option to buy only 1 new game every week than being able to choose from all of the games available? Of course, it doesn't make sense for Microsoft to release every XBLA game at once even if they were available, but from a consumer POV, the more choices that are out there the better.

I think this once a week thing is crap. They don't have to release everything at once, but there's no reason they have to stick to a strict 1 game a week limit either. Imagine if the $60 disc based games followed the same slow release system as XBLA games. "Halo 3 is finished, and will be released in the near future. But this week's game is Ninja Gaiden Super Platinum Ultra".

[CAG 79]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gamerscore/sets/72157594532551876/

This game looks like crap. I'll take the NES version any day over this shit.

[Sir_Fragalot]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gamerscore/sets/72157594532551876/

This game looks like crap. I'll take the NES version any day over this shit. Agree, even the NES looks better and well although the NES version has no online multiplayer, I would not spend $5 on the fugly version of paperboy.

[lordxixor101]

I think this once a week thing is crap. They don't have to release everything at once, but there's no reason they have to stick to a strict 1 game a week limit either. Imagine if the $60 disc based games followed the same slow release system as XBLA games. "Halo 3 is finished, and will be released in the near future. But this week's game is Ninja Gaiden Super Platinum Ultra".

Well, I understand what your saying from the consumers point of view. However, you also have to think from MS. If MS releases a bunch of stuff now, Joe consumer may pick one item to buy. If the game is great, they might buy another later, but most consumers won't look at the "old" games to purchase, unless one is getting a ton of hype. (This sort of thing happens on tv. If you say something is a rerun, you'll lose 20% of your audience instantly, whether they've seen the show or not).

So, from Microsofts perspective, one game a week is great. It gives each game a chance to shine and make it's sales as the only "new" game out that week (at least on XBLA).

Also, don't be so sure that your example doesn't happen. Halo 3 may very well be finished long before it's released. They'll set up a release date to maximize sales. Don't think, if they finish it a month early, they'll release it any earlier. I know movies are made months ahead of time (many are, some aren't) and will be held. You don't finish, then hit the market, it's not how it works.

The biggest differnce with XBLA is that you don't have the maker of Spider Man 3 out there saying it's done and ready to show, but you do have that on XBLA.

[PyroGamer]

Good game, but really, this is the type of thing that 5 of the sort should come out in the off-days of XBL Arcade.

I absolutely despise XBLA, and I'm beginning to even further despise MS.

[Roufuss]

If MS is going to hype up its games, it NEEDS to give us a firm release date, or STFU up about it.

SOTN keeps getting hyped, but who knows when it's coming, so each week that *could* be SOTN is just a letdown. If they came out and said "SOTN is going to be Feb. 28th" no one will be disappointed when it's just Paperboy, since we know SOTN is the 28th.

Except each Wed now, it could be Worms, it could be SOTN, but when it's not and it's something much less, it's a huge disappointment.

Microsoft either needs to shut the fuck up about it's new releases, or if they feel the need to hype it up, throw us a set date so *no one* is getting disappointed. People right now are just getting pissed because Paperboy ISN'T SOTN.. but this wouldn't be a problem if we knew when SOTN was going to be out.

[Corvin]

If MS is going to hype up its games, it NEEDS to give us a firm release date, or STFU up about it.

SOTN keeps getting hyped, but who knows when it's coming, so each week that *could* be SOTN is just a letdown. If they came out and said "SOTN is going to be Feb. 28th" no one will be disappointed when it's just Paperboy, since we know SOTN is the 28th.

Except each Wed now, it could be Worms, it could be SOTN, but when it's not and it's something much less, it's a huge disappointment.

Microsoft either needs to shut the fuck up about it's new releases, or if they feel the need to hype it up, throw us a set date so *no one* is getting disappointed. People right now are just getting pissed because Paperboy ISN'T SOTN.. but this wouldn't be a problem if we knew when SOTN was going to be out.

Don't forget Asteroids is right around the corner as well as a dozen other craptacular arcade titles.

[glockant]

i agree, an xbla release schedule would be nice.

here's hoping the new guy can get us one.

[danked]

Good game, but really, this is the type of thing that 5 of the sort should come out in the off-days of XBL Arcade.

I absolutely despise XBLA, and I'm beginning to even further despise MS.

QFT, XBLA is a great idea but is filled with overprice horse shit

[Apossum]

I hope Sony's system for online releases isn't so restrictive. This is one area where they could easily trump MS...I mean, if I had to trade all my live arcade games for Tekken Dark resurrection, I would strongly consider it.

[delirium266]

Also, don't be so sure that your example doesn't happen. Halo 3 may very well be finished long before it's released. They'll set up a release date to maximize sales. Don't think, if they finish it a month early, they'll release it any earlier. I know movies are made months ahead of time (many are, some aren't) and will be held. You don't finish, then hit the market, it's not how it works.

The biggest differnce with XBLA is that you don't have the maker of Spider Man 3 out there saying it's done and ready to show, but you do have that on XBLA.

My point was that for full priced retail games you don't have these ambiguous situations where only one game can be released in a week and nobody knows which game that is until that same week. There are firm release dates and no silly restrictions against more than one game coming out at the same time.

It's a ridiculous system and it needs to be changed.

[shipwreck]

Okay, unless I'm missing something here, they've actually removed the separate leaderboards for the different streets that were in MAT. That's kind of disappointing as there's virtually no reason to play anything but Hard Way now.

Oh, and if anyone wants to work on getting the Online achievements for this game, send me an invite and we can knock those out.

[Flyersfan]

So how is the game for those of you that have it?


I have 700 pts right now and will probably buy another 1600 soon, should I bite?


I loved the NES version, how similar are they?


Thanks in advance.

[Doom5]

We won't be seeing Worms for awhile I'd imagine. They're still working on fixing the bugs and getting it through the certification process.

http://www.xboxic.com/news/2392

[lordxixor101]

My point was that for full priced retail games you don't have these ambiguous situations where only one game can be released in a week and nobody knows which game that is until that same week. There are firm release dates and no silly restrictions against more than one game coming out at the same time.

It's a ridiculous system and it needs to be changed.

Delirium, I'm not so sure I agree. I think there is the same ambiguity, I think it's just done in advance and behind the scenes. So, by the time it hits you, it looks all nice. At some point, you need to plan out what gets released (otherwise, you'd have your big 3 summer movies potentially hitting in the spring and on the same weekend).

I think Microsoft just needs to get a cleaner process to release the information. Actually, they probably just need a couple of big releases (like Sotn and Worms) and people will give them some slack for a few weeks.

[fathamburger]

can anyone shed some light on just how co-op works with this?

that's what I was originally going to buy this for. But playing the demo I'm not so jazzed. Co-op will be the only thing that saves this imo.

[slickkill77]

This game was terrible compared to the snes version. Either that or its been way to long since i have played it

[rsigley]

can anyone shed some light on just how co-op works with this?

that's what I was originally going to buy this for. But playing the demo I'm not so jazzed. Co-op will be the only thing that saves this imo.

same thing as Root Beer Tapper co op

You play on your own, so does the other guy and they add your scores together. When one of you runs out of lives, game over.

VS i dunno how it works because my opponent had more points than me and he ran out of lives, but I still had two and then it just went to the game over screen and he won

maybe he quit but i dunno

[lilboo]

Just unlocked a gamerpic by completing the "Perfect Aim" Achievement (Get a perfect on a Monday)

This game is hard, but I've always loved Paperboy. LOL @ the cats and crazy men that chase you!!

[lord_ebonstone]

XBLA is fucking lame.

Luckily the president of the division got fired/left.

Plus when things are as shitty as one crap old game every other week, it's pretty hard to go anywhere but up...

[buterbals]

I bought it this morning and im enjoying it. I loved the game back in the arcades so Im pleased with the game. Its just like I remembered it. Havent played online though.

[Ender]

Got the game; it's ok, I guess. The controls aren't quite as tight, which makes bobbing and weaving tougher. Not bad, though.

[Graystone]

Okay, unless I'm missing something here, they've actually removed the separate leaderboards for the different streets that were in MAT. That's kind of disappointing as there's virtually no reason to play anything but Hard Way now.

Oh, and if anyone wants to work on getting the Online achievements for this game, send me an invite and we can knock those out.

I'll hit you up next time your online.

[fathamburger]

same thing as Root Beer Tapper co op

You play on your own, so does the other guy and they add your scores together. When one of you runs out of lives, game over.

VS i dunno how it works because my opponent had more points than me and he ran out of lives, but I still had two and then it just went to the game over screen and he won

maybe he quit but i dunno

Thanks man that's disappointing. I was wondering if it was split screen and you each covered a different side of the street (flipped or something).

[Graystone]

Oh man this game is so much fun. I love Paperboy though one of my all time fav's.
I love the shitty audio clips when you wreck. A women hit me with her car then Paperboy said; "This means war." ok first off dude you just got hit by a car.

[CocheseUGA]

I like Paperboy, but not 400 points worth.

I have a problem with what things cost. 200 points would be a buy. 400 points would be a buy for Outpost Kaloki X. Not 400 and 800 respectively.

[doubledown]

I find it amusing that everyone bitches about this. It's a XBLA game....more content, the better. So what if it's an old ass game, some people REALLY love it. Plus, isn't Sony sitting on some arcade games....Flow and Calling all Cars. I know a LOT of these games are announced on XBLA, but apparently the MS certification process is a mess...which is both good and bad.

[Apossum]

I find it amusing that everyone bitches about this. It's a XBLA game....more content, the better. So what if it's an old ass game, some people REALLY love it. Plus, isn't Sony sitting on some arcade games....Flow and Calling all Cars. I know a LOT of these games are announced on XBLA, but apparently the MS certification process is a mess...which is both good and bad.


I doesn't seem like they are sitting on them. It would've been more logical to release Flow in December when it was originally slated for instead of some random date in February. Look at Tekken, it was announced and 2 months later it's out. Time will tell if they will stick to a punctual announcement/release schedule...

The problem with XBLA is that it's always some old ass game. It wouldn't be half bad if we didn't know about all these awesome games planned for it. Also, it's always 1 old ass game...why not release a couple at a time.

but my bitching is for nothing since it's a mess as you say. someone on CAG said that pac-man took 6 months or so to release :\

[KaneRobot]

Microsoft has had nearly two and a half years now to get a good system in place for XBL Arcade, and it's no better than it was at inception. The PS3 just got rolling.

[DCriminal]

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/livearcadexbox360/?WT.svl=nav

Is this a sign that we will get Alien Hominid next week?

[FaintDeftone]

I don't see what everybody is complaining about. The purpose of XLA IS to have classic ARCADE games on it. Some new and some old. This isn't a suprise at all. If you don't like Paperboy then don't buy the damn thing. I for one love Paperboy. It's one of my favorite arcade games. I'm having a lot of fun with it. People want it and just because you don't doesn't mean there isn't a market for it out there.

[Sporadic]

I don't see what everybody is complaining about. The purpose of XLA IS to have classic ARCADE games on it. Some new and some old. This isn't a suprise at all. If you don't like Paperboy then don't buy the damn thing. I for one love Paperboy. It's one of my favorite arcade games. I'm having a lot of fun with it. People want it and just because you don't doesn't mean there isn't a market for it out there.

The reason you hear everybody complaining is either A) it's games that haven't stood the test of time, B) games that are extremely identical in gameplay as other games on the XBLA or C) games that have been released on almost every console or have been released on compilations disc last gen.

It's cool if you want Paperboy but I already own that, Root Beer Tapper, Smash TV, Robotech 2081 and a ton of other crap on Xbox (Midway Arcade Treasures Vol 1). I don't want to buy that again.

I want classics that I can't buy on a last gen compilation for the same price as one game from XBLA. I want older games that I may have missed out on growing up. I want original games with a simple idea.

I don't want Pacman/Dig Dug for the 5 millionth time. I don't want a straight port of game I can play for free on the company's website (Root Beer Tapper). I don't want filler because XBLA certification team is understaffed.

I just want one fun game that hasn't been released on XBLA/old compilations disc a week. Anything less is bullshit.

[Flyersfan]

I don't see what everybody is complaining about. The purpose of XLA IS to have classic ARCADE games on it. Some new and some old. This isn't a suprise at all. If you don't like Paperboy then don't buy the damn thing. I for one love Paperboy. It's one of my favorite arcade games. I'm having a lot of fun with it. People want it and just because you don't doesn't mean there isn't a market for it out there.


Exactly. I, and at least tens of thousands of other people (I scored low my first time through and was ranked 28000 something on the leaderboards) love these types of games. This is the first arcade game I actually bought and I am and will continue to get the full $5 out of it.



I still stand by my statement that I would rather them release one game a week and constantly do that then run out of games at the end of this year/next year and we would have to wait a few weeks, maybe even a month, in between games. Retail games have nothing to do with it that.

[Chris Dillon]

I have no complaint. Its a nice bonus when there is a good game but I didn't buy the system for arcade. I have like 8 of the games and I really don't understand why I havve any of them. I dont play any of them at all and dont like any of them at all. I like having galaga but it doesn't seem to be a perfect port with shooting being different. I really cant hit the jewel buttons fast like I could the fire button on the cabinet. I dont even like geometry wars. I do want alien hormid, castlevania, and something similar or the board game RISK. I LOVE RISK.

[2Fast]

I really wanted Paperboy originally, but after playing the demo I decided to pass. I really prefer the console version to the arcade one.

[Rozz]

I don't see what everybody is complaining about. The purpose of XLA IS to have classic ARCADE games on it. Some new and some old. This isn't a suprise at all. If you don't like Paperboy then don't buy the damn thing. I for one love Paperboy. It's one of my favorite arcade games. I'm having a lot of fun with it. People want it and just because you don't doesn't mean there isn't a market for it out there.

Or instead of wasting yet another $5 on an admitadely good, yet primitive re-release you can spend $5 more (or possibly even less) on Midway Arcade Treasures and get many more sweet classics in addition to one bare-bones game. Plus the more you support this crap the more we'll see it in the future.