Backyard Baseball '97

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,198 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • humor
Backyard Baseball '97 Game Cover
Starting at $7.99Buy now
Get on Steam

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 1,198 reviews
gameplay12 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions
  • The game perfectly captures the nostalgia of the original 1997 version, bringing back fond childhood memories.
  • The characters are memorable and the gameplay is fun, making it a great experience for both new players and those revisiting the game.
  • It's a simple, charming baseball game that is easy to pick up and play, making it suitable for kids and adults alike.
  • The game suffers from some bugs and technical issues, such as a glitchy mouse cursor and limited display options.
  • There are no significant updates or improvements from the original, which may disappoint players expecting a modernized experience.
  • The gameplay can feel repetitive, especially with the lack of variety in fields during season play.
  • gameplay40 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics, making it accessible for children while still offering enough depth to entertain adults. Players appreciate the intuitive controls and charming characters, which contribute to a fun and nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic arcade sports games. Although some aspects may feel outdated, the overall gameplay remains enjoyable and satisfying, especially for those familiar with the original title.

    • “The gameplay is simple enough for kids to jump in but has enough depth to keep adults engaged.”
    • “The intuitive controls and smooth mechanics make every swing, pitch, and home run a blast.”
    • “The gameplay is simple yet it remains fresh every time it is played.”
    • “The gameplay is pretty simplistic if you're coming back to play this as an adult, but that's because it's a game for kids.”
    • “It is a little outdated, it is in 4:3 aspect ratio, the gameplay is simple and can be too easy even on hard mode.”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?).”
  • graphics21 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by vibrant colors and a nostalgic art style reminiscent of the 90s, appealing to fans of the original release. While they may not impress modern gamers, they have aged well and maintain a charming simplicity that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the smooth performance and the lack of graphical glitches, making it a recommendable title for those seeking a nostalgic 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.”
    • “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.”
    • “Graphics are not going to wow you, but it's a timeless classic.”
    • “Not updated graphically, which gives it its nostalgic love.”
    • “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.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in the game is consistently praised, with memorable characters and lively animations contributing to a fun and hilarious experience. Players enjoy the witty banter and comedic commentary, which enhances the gameplay and creates enjoyable moments, making it a source of laughter for both solo and multiplayer sessions. Overall, the game's humor remains a standout feature, keeping players engaged and entertained even years after its release.

    • “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 banter is funny, and the kids are always talking smack.”
    • “My fiancée and I spent most of the night just laughing and playing.”
  • music8 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 distinct theme that adds to their identity. While the graphics and music have aged well, some users noted that voice lines can be repetitive. Overall, the charming soundtrack and character-specific tunes contribute significantly to the game's character and appeal.

    • “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.”
  • stability7 mentions

    Overall, the stability of the game is generally praised, with many users noting it runs well on various platforms and has minimal graphical glitches. However, some players report minor bugs reminiscent of the original release, suggesting that while the game is stable, it still retains some issues from its past.

    • “Excellent, runs great on deck!”
    • “Runs great.”
    • “Backyard Baseball '97 is good, a little buggy in some places, but I know it will be fixed in time. I can't wait to see the other games too; glad the Backyard games are back!”
    • “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.”
    • “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 express dissatisfaction with the narrative quality. Overall, the consensus suggests that the storytelling aspect is either absent or poorly executed.

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

    The game's optimization has been praised for its smooth performance, effectively modernizing a classic title for contemporary systems, including the Steam Deck. Users noted that minor adjustments, such as scaling settings, enhance the experience while maintaining the original game's integrity, providing a nostalgic yet polished gameplay experience.

    • “They offer nothing new whatsoever, but they took the old game and made it run smoothly and perfectly over 25 years later.”
    • “Seems to run smoothly and scratches the nostalgia itch.”
    • “Ever so slightly 'modded' (very loosely stated) to add a few extra performance features.”
    • “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 (very loosely stated) to add a few extra performance features.”
  • 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.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere is highly immersive, capturing the essence of a backyard setting through detailed sound design, such as the crack of the bat and the cheers of the crowd.

    • “From the crack of the bat to the crowd’s cheers, every detail immerses you in the backyard atmosphere.”
    • “The haunting melodies and ambient sounds create an otherworldly atmosphere that pulls you in.”
    • “The vibrant colors and dynamic lighting set a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
  • 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.

    • “The monetization system feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
    • “I feel like the game is designed to push players towards microtransactions rather than providing a fair experience.”
    • “It's frustrating that so many features are locked behind paywalls, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players express that the grinding required in the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it feels like a task that could take a lifetime to complete.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
    • “Grinding takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Backyard Baseball '97

Play time

6hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
6-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News