The object of Paperboy is to deliver papers to your customers while inflicting as much damage on their houses as possible. To make things more difficult, various obstacles get in your way, including construction workers, rogue tires, skateboarders, dogs and cats, cars, and even the occasional tornado.
The gameplay involves navigating your paperboy through a 2D representation of suburban streets, using items like a newspaper to deflect attacks from non-customers' houses. As you progress, new challenges are added, such as increased numbers of obstacles and more aggressive enemies.