Backyard Baseball '97

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,317 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • humor
Backyard Baseball '97 Game Cover
Starting at $9.99Buy now
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Backyard Baseball '97, now on Steam, is a classic game that brings fun and excitement to baseball. Create your dream team, play pick-up games, practice batting, and keep track of stats. With adjustable game modes, including single games and a whole season, players of all skill levels can enjoy this realistic yet user-friendly game. Relive the nostalgia of backyard baseball!

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,317 reviews
gameplay14 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions
  • Backyard Baseball '97 is a nostalgic trip that perfectly captures the charm of the original game, making it a must-play for fans of the series.
  • The game features a colorful cast of characters, each with unique abilities and personalities, adding depth and fun to the gameplay.
  • It runs smoothly on modern systems, allowing players to relive their childhood memories without the hassle of compatibility issues.
  • The game lacks modern quality-of-life features, such as online multiplayer and adjustable audio settings, which may disappoint some players.
  • There are occasional bugs and glitches, including issues with the mouse cursor and display resolution, which can detract from the experience.
  • The gameplay can feel repetitive, especially in season mode where players are limited to a single field, making it less engaging over time.
  • gameplay46 mentions

    Gameplay is generally well-received, characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics that appeal to both children and adults. While some players note that the controls can be janky and the game feels somewhat outdated, many appreciate the nostalgic charm, memorable characters, and the fun, arcade-style experience it offers. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a solid blend of simplicity and depth, making it enjoyable for both new players and those revisiting it from their childhood.

    • “A mainstay of my childhood games collection, bb'97 is a rock-solid baseball simulator jammed with unique and interesting players, surprisingly deep mechanics and statistics, and wacky power-ups that make for plenty of laugh-out-loud (or rage-filled) moments.”
    • “The gameplay is simple enough for kids to jump in but has enough depth to keep adults engaged.”
    • “The gameplay is simple yet it remains fresh every time it is played.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics and animation quality is about what you'd expect from something that was once released to the general public in a Cheerios box.”
    • “It is a little outdated, it is in 4:3 aspect ratio, the gameplay is simple and can be too easy even on hard mode.”
    • “Some of the mechanics can be easily taken advantage of (throwing to other bases to make the AI run foolishly), and it can be slow at times (can't skip opponents' home runs, but can skip your own?).”
  • graphics23 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a pixelated, nostalgic style that appeals to fans of retro aesthetics, reminiscent of the 90s. While they may not impress modern gamers, the vibrant colors and lively animations contribute to a charming experience that evokes fond memories for those familiar with the original. Overall, the graphics are considered average but hold up well for their age, providing a smooth and enjoyable experience without significant updates.

    • “The graphics are vibrant, the animations full of life, and the commentary is brimming with the kind of humor that keeps you smiling inning after inning.”
    • “The graphics still look good, considering when they're from, and the gameplay is entirely competent, so it's still a recommend from me, but I do think a lot of my enjoyment is nostalgia.”
    • “The drawn art style has ensured that outside of some aliasing, this game barely feels like it's aged more than 2 years despite being almost 30 years old.”
    • “The graphics are pixelized - you've got to like that, because otherwise there's nothing very special about this game.”
    • “The graphics are average and it's a little silly, but if you're into very basic point and click games, this is enjoyable even if you've never played it before.”
    • “Also don't go in thinking this is gonna be a modernized version with better graphics because it's the same as the original.”
  • humor11 mentions

    The humor in the game is consistently praised for its nostalgic charm, with commentators and characters delivering hilarious banter that keeps players entertained throughout. The vibrant graphics and lively animations enhance the comedic experience, making gameplay both fun and goofy. Players enjoy the memorable characters and the lighthearted smack talk, resulting in a delightful and laughter-filled gaming experience.

    • “The graphics are vibrant, the animations full of life, and the commentary is brimming with the kind of humor that keeps you smiling inning after inning.”
    • “Characters are all memorable, and the gameplay is fun and hilarious.”
    • “My fiancée and I spent most of the night just laughing and playing.”
  • music9 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy and upbeat soundtrack that enhances the playful tone, with each character having their own memorable themes that add to their identity. While the overall soundtrack and sound design are charming, some players noted that the voice lines can become repetitive. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's character and nostalgia, making it a standout feature.

    • “The catchy, upbeat soundtrack perfectly complements the game's playful tone.”
    • “Each character even has their own music theme which gives them even more identity to the character, and those tunes will probably get stuck in your head.”
    • “Charming soundtrack and characters, though voice lines are a bit repetitive.”
    • “Everything down to the music is the same as the original.”
    • “The chatter, the music, the walkups and strikeout animations, all of it oozes character.”
  • stability8 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, especially on modern hardware, with most users noting it runs well with minimal issues. While some minor glitches persist, reminiscent of the original 1997 release, they are not considered game-breaking. Players express optimism for future updates to address these bugs, highlighting a strong sense of nostalgia despite the imperfections.

    • “Runs great on modern hardware, unlike the original which required workarounds to run on anything past Windows XP.”
    • “Excellent, runs great on the Steam Deck!”
    • “I would love to say this game lives up to the nostalgia for all the right reasons so far, but it's just as buggy as it was in 1997.”
    • “Backyard Baseball '97 is good, a little buggy in some places, but I know it will fix in time.”
    • “Yes, it's a little buggy, but c'mon man.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Overall, users highlight strong replayability in games like Backyard Baseball '97, which offers enjoyable mechanics and various modes to engage with repeatedly. However, some titles, such as UFO 50, lack replay value due to limited features, making them less appealing for repeated play.

    • “Whether you're in it to conquer season mode or want a quick pickup game, Backyard Baseball '97 is endlessly replayable.”
    • “Great replay value.”
    • “Good mechanics and fun and replayable.”
    • “Because of this, there’s nothing really replayable.”
  • story6 mentions

    The reviews indicate a lack of a coherent or engaging story, with some users noting that there is no story at all, while others describe it as bad. Overall, the narrative aspect appears to be a significant weakness in the game.

    • “no story”
    • “bad story”
    • “no story”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The game's optimization has been praised for its smooth performance, effectively updating a classic title for modern systems while maintaining its nostalgic feel. Steam Deck users can easily adjust settings for optimal display, and some minor performance enhancements have been added, though the core experience remains largely unchanged.

    • “They offer nothing new whatsoever, but they took the old game and made it run smoothly and perfectly over 25 years later.”
    • “Steam Deck users - to make the game fill the screen correctly, keep everything in-game as it is, go to the performance settings and set your scaling mode to 'fit'.”
    • “Seems to run smoothly and scratches the nostalgia itch.”
    • “Steam Deck users need to adjust the performance settings to make the game fill the screen correctly by setting the scaling mode to 'fit'.”
    • “The game is only ever so slightly modded to add a few extra performance features.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a charming, backyard feel enhanced by ambient sounds and simple yet fitting animations. Players appreciate the immersive details, such as the crack of the bat and crowd cheers, which contribute to the overall kidoo vibe.

    • “Animations are very basic, but perfectly suited to the game's atmosphere.”
    • “The players have their own little ways of doing things that give the game a special, totally backyard feel, and the ambient sound adds even more to the kiddo atmosphere.”
    • “From the crack of the bat to the crowd’s cheers, every detail immerses you in the backyard atmosphere.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the characters in Backyard Baseball '97, highlighting their wholesome personalities and well-crafted dialogue. The game is described as an emotional journey that significantly impacted players' childhoods and lives, showcasing its lasting influence.

    • “I bought this not expecting much, but now I am emotionally invested in at least 9 little baseball champs.”
    • “These characters are so wholesome with their well-scripted voices and personalities.”
    • “Backyard Baseball '97 wasn’t just a game—it was an emotional journey, one that wove itself into the fabric of my childhood and ultimately changed the course of my life.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy has been criticized for being overly focused on certain characters, like Pablo, which may detract from the overall appeal and variety in advertising efforts.

    • “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
    • “I feel like I'm constantly bombarded with ads and prompts to buy in-game currency, which ruins the experience.”
    • “It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, forcing players to spend if they want to progress.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of time akin to having a second life to fully engage with it.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
    • “I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

17hMedian play time
13hAverage play time
6-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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