The Original Backyard Baseball Makes a Comeback

The beloved original Backyard Baseball game, which launched the iconic Backyard Sports franchise, is making its grand return to Steam on October 10. Originally released as a PC exclusive in 1997, Backyard Baseball offers a selection of 30 unique players. Its nostalgic cartoon graphics and 90s sound effects resonate with fans who grew up enjoying the game, especially among millennials.

In August, Playground Productions announced its plans to revive the Backyard Sports franchise. A teaser trailer was unveiled on August 20, showcasing fan-favorite characters like Pablo Sanchez and Stephanie Morgan. Chris Waters, the CEO of Playground Productions, shared in a press release that the company aims to expand Backyard Sports beyond video games, exploring opportunities in film, television, and merchandise.

On September 25, developer Mega Cat Studios released a trailer announcing the re-launch of the original Backyard Baseball on Steam, aptly titled Backyard Baseball ‘97. This version includes a Steam leaderboard system and achievements, but, for now, it is exclusive to PC. Mega Cat Studios clarified that they face certain limitations, particularly due to a lack of access to the source code, which hampers proper support for the title. Consequently, features like gamepad and Steam Deck support will not be available.

A New Chapter for Backyard Baseball on Steam

The upcoming release of Backyard Baseball promises various enhancements, including improved gameplay mechanics, graphics, and overall performance. Players can look forward to three distinct game modes: Random Pickup, Single Game, and Season Game. The Random Pickup mode allows for a quick match, with the computer randomly selecting teams for players. In the Single Game mode, participants take turns picking their team members from a randomized pool of characters. Meanwhile, the Season mode enables players to create their own teams and compete in a 14-game series against computer-generated opponents.

There has been a growing demand for the return of Backyard Sports to fill the gap for casual sports games. Earlier this year, Jason Kelce, the starting center for the Philadelphia Eagles, expressed his enthusiasm for bringing the series back. While the NFL star is not directly involved in this revival, Playground Productions acknowledged that he symbolizes many fans who cherish the franchise. With the current lack of casual sports games like Mario Superstar Baseball, Backyard Baseball is poised to seize this opportunity in the market. Mark your calendars for the release of Backyard Baseball ‘97 on Steam on October 10, exclusively for PC, featuring exciting new features.