With the World Series currently underway, what better way to celebrate than diving into a baseball game that can bring you a ton of laughs? No, we are not talking about the overhyped baseball game MLB The Show; instead, take a more innocent approach to America’s past time with a remastered version of a childhood classic. Last month, Mega Cat revealed that Backyard Baseball 97 would be returning and coming to Steam. While the World Series has been underway, some baseball fans have been more excited about reliving a core part of their childhood than watching the Fall Classic. So how does the remastered/upscaled version of Backyard Baseball 97 (BYB97) hold up?
Developer: Mega Cat Studios
Publisher: Playground Productions
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: October 10th, 2024
Players: 1
Price: Base: $9.99 USD
The kids of the Backyard are back and looking to talk trash in a friendly but competitive manner. With Sunny Day and Vinnie the Gooch commentating on the action, the kids who roam the sandlot look to have a fun-filled day while competing against their friends, family, and rivals. With casual play, the game randomizes the teams and it is up to you to determine where they would be best suited in the field and in the lineup. Casual players can play the lineup and positions as they are; meanwhile, more determined players will look at each player’s stats and abilities and assign them to more suitable and strategic roles.
Each child has their own unique presentation. Backyard Baseball 97 was a game that presented diversity in a fun manner without feeling forced; this HD remastering sticks to the game’s original roots only upscaling the audio and visuals to give the game a more modern presentation. Yes, there are kids of varying races and genders, but the game does not focus on that outside of the sibling pairings and rivalries. Each kid has a personality that can make you laugh and even sigh. Their characteristics can remind you of someone you knew from your childhood.
While the core gameplay of Backyard Baseball 97 remains the same, Mega Cat has improved the overall game presentation to be supported on both PC and Steam Deck. The game also provides controller support for those who have grown accustomed to more modern-day sports games.
While playing on the PC, you will need to enlarge the screen to make it more presentable. When the game launches, the player can adjust the screen size, and disable background sound, commentary, and music; the player can also turn off the instant replay. Outside of the bootup options, players can adjust the game’s settings in the Pick-up Window. In this menu, players can adjust the game’s audio, difficulty, game type, and pick up game settings.
The three pick-up game mode options are Pick Up Game, Batting Practice, and Spectator mode. In Setup, can choose between a standard game or tee-ball. With regular, you can have the game show you the Swingspot and Pitch Locator.
The player can adjust the AI’s Difficulty, how many innings they will play, and if Errors will happen. Once the settings have been managed, you can determine if you want to play with random teams or draft a team.
Backyard Baseball 97 contains seven fields with their own unique terrain. Players can choose which field they want and draft a team according to the field. The game features thirty players that can be drafted in the Create a Team menu.
However, when drafting a team in Play Now, only certain characters are randomly available. In League Play, create a team with the ability to pick nine out of the thirty characters available to be drafted.
In the match, the player can adjust the line-up and field position of their team at the start of the game. Only the field position can be changed during the middle of the game just like real baseball. As the player pitches, they will run out of juice sooner or later depending on their pitches.
Successful pitches and strikeouts can be rewarded with special pitches (power-ups) and extra juice to keep the pitcher going. The game doesn’t indicate what pitch might be thrown so you will have to keep an eye out for any tricky pitches. When fielding the ball, you can take over a player to catch the ball rather than risk a potential run.
While at bat, the player will have to keep an eye out for any wild pitches and try to score as many runs as possible. Successful hits and scores can earn the player specialty hits that can break the defense and create easy scoring opportunities.
After hitting the ball, you can dictate if a player should try for two or just stay on base. Depending on the players in the field, stealing a base or going for a double can be a no-brainer. The trash talking in the game is still childish but comical.
At the end of the day, picking up Backyard Baseball 97 on Steam seems like a no-brainer; it is equivalent to running after you hit the ball. If you grew up with Backyard Baseball, you will feel a sense of nostalgia like reconnecting with a childhood friend you haven’t seen in a long time. The gameplay is simple enough and smooth enough that a new player can pick up the game and just play while a returning veteran will know some tricks of the trade.
If you are feeling nostalgic and sick of the annual MLB the Show release, then picking up Backyard Baseball 97 could be a refreshing experience. While other remasters go for a premium price, BYB97 offers the experience you know and love for a reasonable price. It was nice to get reacquainted with the Backyard Yard kids and we look forward to whatever Mega Cat Studios and Playground Productions has planned for the Backyard franchise.
Backyard Baseball 97 was reviewed on PC (Steam). You can find additional information about Niche Gamer’s review/ethics policy here. Backyard Baseball 97 is now available on Steam.
