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Gaming Review

'Paperboy' (iPhone)

Released on Friday, Dec 17 2010

Also available for: Xbox Live, Mobile, PC
Genre: Action
Developer: Vivid Games
Publisher: Elite Systems

Another day, another retro port arrives on the iPhone. The classics of yesteryear have found a new audience since the rise of the App Store, although pointless rehashes have proven just as prevalent as inspired revivals. Paperboy is the latest nostalgic port to do the rounds on Apple's digital storefront. It's fair to say that this one has been around the block a few times, having been already been released for everything with a processor. With this in mind, it's worth questioning whether we really need another version.

The answer to this depends on whether you still hold a candle for the original, as every aspect of its gameplay arrives onto the touch-screen platform intact. However, this is far from a lazy cut and paste job. Developer Vivid Games has gone the extra mile where presentation is concerned, fleshing the game out in 3D. When a series makes the jump from 2D, gameplay is often a casualty, but the essence of Paperboy remains unchanged. The extra dimension simply serves to add more depth of field, rather than revolutionise the title.

Before an angry lynch mob of purists descends upon the studio, it should be noted that the option to play in classic 2D is included. It's Paperboy exactly as you remember, with an extra coat of gloss. Playing in 2D is a more functional way to experience the game. Not only does it have that refreshing air of familiarity, it makes it easier to hurl those newspapers with a degree of accuracy, given that the third dimension makes their trajectories difficult to gauge.

So many iPhone ports fall down in the playability stakes due to obstinate controls. You only need to look at some of the Sega Genesis conversions to find examples of the kind of game that just doesn't work on the platform. However, this is not the case with Paperboy. Default controls consist of left and right arrows for steering, a speedometer, and a single action button for slinging papers. The system is simple, responsive and best of all doesn't detract from the overall experience. There are even two alternate methods for anyone who can't get the hang of this one - a full virtual D-pad system and tilt controls.

Good presentation and serviceable controls are all well and good, but how does Paperboy measure up today? The answer is reasonably well. It retains that addictive quality, despite remaining on the difficult side. What makes the game somewhat frustrating is the lack of a health bar. In a neighbourhood where everything from lawnmowers to the grim reaper wants you dead, it's difficult to get through Monday to Sunday controlling a character who cannot sustain more than one hit. Granted, you can acquire extra lives but on the harder settings it still feels overly taxing. And just to rub it in, every time you lose a life, an irritating replay of your final moments automatically kicks in.

Breaking the windows of non-subscribers, foiling burglars and overturning gravestones with your newspapers provides some short term enjoyment, so anyone looking to ephemerally relive their youth with this one won't be disappointed. That said, it doesn't do a great deal beyond that, and there's really no reason to recommend it to anyone who already has the game on another format, unless the ability to play it in the toilet is particularly appealing.

In the way of additional features, there are two unlockable modes of play - Challenge and Time Attack. Neither adds anything significant to the mix or much in the way of an incentive for replay value. A broad array of trophies has also been incorporated to bring the game into the 21st century. These are awarded for everything from breaking windows to riding through flowerbeds. It's a novel idea, but the notion of gamers actually taking the time to achieve each on is farfetched. In reality, the only accolades you unlock will likely be by accident.

There's little wrong in the way of presentation. The 3D graphics are reasonably well rendered and pop-up isn't too much of an issue. Even classic mode has been spruced up enough to please the eye. Music has been remastered but the sound effects pay homage to the 8-bit era and begin to jar after a while. At least muting a game on the iPhone is a simple as flicking a switch.

As far as nostalgic remakes go, Paperboy delivers but doesn't quite do enough to make the front page. Vivid Games has attempted to marry old and new, and for the most part succeeds, without providing any real incentive for anyone who isn't a fan of the original to pick it up. It may not provide much in the way of longevity, but £2.99 is a reasonable price to relive a slice of your youth.

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