Ever since man has started to suit up for a day at the office, aiming for the waste basket has been a cure for frustration, and sometimes a fun office game. Somebody had to come along and turn it into a casual game. Backflip Studios came up with Paper Toss for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and the iPad. Many favorable ratings and reviews later, the Paper Toss game can be qualified as a success.

Perhaps, that’s the reason why we also have it on our Best iPhone Games page. We had taken a brief look at the time-waster when Dave talked about 3 Free iPhone Games That Are Too Good To Be Free. Yes, did I forget to mention that Paper Toss is free (but ad-supported), even as it has now moved to the next version? Paper Toss 2.0 retains the simple challenge of the original, adds a few more to the mix that don’t stop you from procrastinating in the office or elsewhere.

First Look at Paper Toss 2.0

http://youtu.be/1wCHhQIeaiw

You will only be bothered with your App Store password when you click on install. Paper Toss 2.0 doesn’t take long to download and welcome you to the first launch screen. The Paper Toss game is ad-supported, but the ad is thankfully out of the way on a slim bar at the top. Full-screen ads for other Backflip games pop-up now and then when you are changing screens; but thankfully never in the middle of a game. If the ads bug you, you can go for the ad-free version for $0.99.

Ryan lowered his blood pressure when he tried out 5 Free Android Games To Help You Lower Your Stress Levels At Work and took the earlier version (on Android) through a few slam dunks. Let's see if this helps in a similar way...

Play Without Being Fired

The good thing about playing a paper toss game virtually is that bar a few angry remarks, you won’t get fired. You can play to your heart’s content across the environments the game sets up for you right from the first screen.

paper toss game

For instance, click on Boss and you are given the challenge of tossing a few paper balls in a waste paper basket that’s perched on the boss’ desk. But you have to do it quietly so that the big man does not wake up. In fact, I don’t think he does, because I aimed quite a few at the guy and he was sound asleep. Stuff office dreams are made of for sure!

paper toss app

The rules of the game are dead simple. You have to aim for the waste paper basket and toss a crumpled piece of paper into a trash can to earn points. Well, that’s not the reason the game earned a few million downloads. The trajectory of the paper projectile is hampered or let’s say influenced by a fan that’s placed precisely to direct some air flow at the tossed up paper ball. Different fan speeds affect the way you will swipe your fingers to direct the paper ball towards the waste basket.

paper toss app

The rule of physics come into play - The greater the speed of the fan (and the wind velocity), the further to the right or left you need to throw the paper ball. The fan is placed either on the left or right with each toss, and you have to estimate the direction of your swipe.

Points are accumulated on the basis of your successful throws. Continuous hits net you more points and applause.

The Things That Keeps the Game Interesting – Grenades!

paper toss app

Oh! Did I get your attention with that one? Grenades are just one of the things you can use in exchange for the points you accumulate. The screen below shows you a few others. Each different item brings its own characteristics into the mix. For instance, if you use tomatoes, you will observe that if a tomato hits the rim of the waste basket it will splatter, and won’t go in…unlike a paper ball. Likewise, grenades can explode. I haven’t tried out grenades so far because you need to have quite a few points for that.

paper toss 2.0

The different levels also introduce variety. Play the Intern level, and you will see that the poor intern holding the waste paper basket keeps sliding around in the chair.

Paper Toss 2.0 also has power-ups, but use them only as a last resort because they can deaden the challenge. So can buying paper points with in-app purchases.

paper toss game

There are achievements which you can unlock by playing honestly and racking up the points. They also earn you bragging rights on the Game Center.

Version 2.0 Hits The Bull’s-eye Too

Paper Toss Version 2.0 keeps the same game mechanics but ups the ante with more levels and better graphics. The tossables like bananas, flaming paper balls, and grenades have got more interesting. You can now even toss objects at your pesky co-workers without losing points. That should help to take some of the office frustration away.

There are no real complaints with Paper Toss 2.0. If you liked the original, you will love this version of the paper toss game too. Maybe, stay on with it a bit longer because it is more challenging. Play it…it’s free. Come back and tell us if it managed to get you hooked.