The iconic ’90s PC game Backyard Baseball is making its long-awaited return, launching on Steam on October 10. Originally released in 1997 by Humongous Entertainment, this cult classic helped kickstart the Backyard Sports franchise, offering a casual, cartoonish take on sports that appealed to kids and nostalgic adults alike.
Fans of the original game, especially millennials, are excited about this nostalgic return, which has been remastered by Mega Cat Studios and Playground Productions.
However, Backyard Baseball ’97 is only available on PC during launch as Playground Production stated: “Given the intricacies involved in remastering Backyard Baseball ‘97 from the original CD-ROM, it is only compatible with PC devices. Even so, we are working diligently with our partner Mega Cat Studios to ensure Backyards Sports games become available on multiple platforms moving forward. “
Trip Down Memory Lane
Backyard Baseball debuted in 1997 and was an instant hit with its lighthearted approach to sports gaming. Unlike other sports simulators, the game focused on accessibility and fun, attracting a young audience. It spawned multiple sequels and spin-offs, including soccer, football, basketball, hockey, and even skateboarding.
The series gained further fame in 2001 when real MLB players were introduced as child versions of themselves, allowing fans to play as stars like Derek Jeter, Randy Johnson, and Chipper Jones.
After years of dormancy since 2015, when the rights to the franchise were passed around, the game is finally returning, beginning with this remastered version.
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Backyard Baseball Remastered Promises to Deliver a Nostalgic Feeling
Since its release, the series and its spinoffs, including soccer, football, basketball, and hockey, have left a lasting legacy. Backyard Baseball 2001 was especially notable for including MLB stars like Derek Jeter, Randy Johnson, and Chipper Jones in kid versions. The original Backyard Baseball featured 30 fictional neighbourhood kids as playable characters, each with quirky personalities and unique skills. The game’s fun mix of arcade-style gameplay, humour, and colourful cartoon graphics helped define childhoods in the late ’90s and early 2000s.
This remastered version, titled Backyard Baseball ‘97, remains faithful to its roots while adding modern touches, such as Steam achievements and global leaderboards to track players’ home runs, strikeouts, and more.
Furthermore, Players of Backyard Baseball ‘97 can expect familiar modes of play with some enhancements:
- Random Pickup Mode: A quick match where teams are randomly selected by the computer.
- Single Game Mode: Players take turns choosing their favourite characters from the original pool of 30 to build their teams.
- Season Mode: Allows players to form a custom team and compete in a 14-game series against computer-generated opponents.
These modes, combined with an array of beloved characters like the legendary Pablo Sanchez, are designed to capture the charm and simplicity that made the original such a hit.
Backyard Baseball ‘97 Unfortunate Drawbacks
As mentioned earlier, while the original was a PC exclusive, the updated game will also be released solely for PC via Steam. Moreover, players won’t be able to use gamepads or play it on the Steam Deck due to technical limitations.
Developer Mega Cat Studios, which handled the remastering process, has been transparent about the challenges, particularly with the game’s lost source code, which limits its compatibility with other platforms.
In addition, unlike some of the later entries in the Backyard Sports series, Backyard Baseball ‘97 will not feature real MLB players due to licensing restrictions.
Backyard Baseball ‘97 Is Just the Start
The revival of Backyard Baseball is just the beginning for the Backyard Sports franchise. In August, Playground Productions, a company spearheaded by CEO Chris Waters, announced its plans to relaunch the entire Backyard Sports brand.
Along with video games, Waters desires to expand into other media such as television, film, and merchandise. With a fanbase that spans generations who played the original and new players curious about the franchise, Backyard Sports aims to evolve into a cross-platform brand.
Fans of the franchise, including high-profile athletes like Philadelphia Eagles centre Jason Kelce, have been vocal in their hopes for a comeback. Kelce expressed interest in relaunching the franchise earlier this year, showing that even professional athletes hold a soft spot for the casual gameplay and iconic characters of Backyard Sports.
Closing Thoughts
With casual sports games like Mario Superstar Baseball no longer in production, the relaunch of Backyard Baseball comes at the opportune time. The nostalgia factor, combined with a lack of similar titles, positions the game to succeed in a market craving lighter, more accessible sports experiences.
The price point for Backyard Baseball ‘97 is only $9.99, making it an affordable dive into nostalgia for veteran fans or a fun, quirky introduction for newcomers. Players can add the game to their Steam wishlist in anticipation of its October 10 release.
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