The object of Paperboy is to deliver papers to your customers while inflicting as much damage as possible to the houses of your non-customers. To make things more difficult, numerous 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 bike around the neighborhood, dodging obstacles while trying to avoid getting hit by the wheels of passing cars or other hazards. As you deliver papers, you'll also be trying to knock over the houses of non-customers with your paperboy's sled.