The Original Backyard Baseball Is Coming to Steam for the First Time
It was only a matter of time: Backyard Baseball, the first entry in the wildly popular Backyard Sports series, is making its digital debut on Steam. Re-released as Backyard Baseball ’97, the game will be available for purchase starting October 10, marking the first time the game can be acquired digitally.
Backyard Sports holds a unique place in late millennial culture, not quite as enduring as giants like Pokemon or Spongebob, but still a beloved part of childhood for many. The series offered accessible, arcade-style takes on popular team sports, much like how Mario Kart simplified racing for a broader audience compared to the more realistic Gran Turismo. In the same way, Backyard Baseball was a light-hearted alternative to simulation-heavy baseball titles like MLB: The Show.
One of the key aspects that made Backyard Sports so memorable was its cast of characters, with each kid excelling in different sports. Fan-favorite Pablo Sanchez, for instance, stood out as a pint-sized sports prodigy across the entire series. Far from a jack-of-all-trades, he was a master of all, dominating whatever game he played. A recent video by Secret Base even explored his legendary status within the franchise.
What’s particularly interesting about Backyard Sports is that it originated as a PC-centric series. The early games from Humongous Entertainment, like the original Backyard Baseball on PC in 1997, were genuine kid phenomenon. Later console releases, like Backyard Sports: Rookie Rush for the Xbox 360, never quite captured the magic of the original and were often met with less enthusiasm.
While it’s exciting to see Backyard Baseball making a comeback, there are a few concerns. Mega Cat Studios, the team behind the re-release, confirmed that they don’t have access to the original game’s source code. This limitation means enhancements like controller support, Steam Deck compatibility, and macOS versions aren’t possible. Despite these challenges, there’s still value in making the game easily accessible to new audiences, as long as it’s priced appropriately for its barebones state.
You can wishlist Backyard Baseball ’97 on Steam ahead of its October 10 release, and revisit the nostalgia of this classic game.
