Backyard Soccer '98

About

"Backyard Soccer '98" is a soccer game that captures the carefree spirit of youth soccer, featuring 30 kid athletes and 20 unique fields. With point-and-click controls, players can participate in pick-up games or create a coach for league play, working their way to the top of each division and competing in the "Astonishingly Shiny Cup of All Cups Tournament." The game also includes intense tie-breaking shoot-outs and comical power-ups for added fun.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 97 reviews

humor3 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game perfectly captures the nostalgia of the original Backyard Soccer, providing a fun and simplistic gameplay experience that appeals to both old fans and new players.
The season mode is engaging, featuring promotions, relegations, and tournaments that add depth and variety to the gameplay.
The controls are easy to pick up, making it accessible for younger players while still offering enjoyable gameplay for adults reminiscing about their childhood.

The game can feel overly simplistic and easy, lacking the challenge that some players might expect from a soccer game.
There are some bugs and issues with the goalkeeping AI, which can lead to frustrating moments during matches.
The absence of online multiplayer and certain modern features, like customizable resolutions, may disappoint some players looking for a more contemporary gaming experience.

gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The gameplay of this retro soccer game is characterized by its simplicity and nostalgia, appealing to those seeking a straightforward experience rather than complex mechanics. While there are some bugs related to offsides and out-of-play calls, the overall mechanics are deemed passable, and the rarity of power-ups adds to the charm without overwhelming the player. Despite its basic and unchallenging nature, it is praised for having the best season play in the Backyard Sports franchise.
- “This gives every ounce of nostalgia and original gameplay.”
- “If you've never played, I'd recommend it as long as you're not looking for anything with real deep mechanics and are looking for just pure retro fun.”
- “There are some weird bugs with offsides and 'out of play' (marking the ball as such when it's clearly still in play after a goal kick), but otherwise it's good enough for what it is: an old soccer game being ported over to Steam. Game mechanics are somewhat passable, and power-ups aren't overbearing (granted they're rare to come by, once per game on average).”
- “It's the original Backyard Soccer, so gameplay is extremely basic and fairly unchallenging, but I stand by my position that this version of the game has the best season play in the entire Backyard Sports franchise.”
- “Simple gameplay like I remember.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
The music in the game continues to impress, with players praising the iconic goal theme song that enhances the excitement of scoring. The nostalgic element of hearing goal music repeatedly adds to the enjoyment, making it a standout feature reminiscent of the original game.
- “Pablo is still a powerhouse, Stephanie is still the greatest goalie you can choose, and the Khans are still rocking out to the greatest goal theme song ever.”
- “I recall that being a thing on the original, and it was fun to watch your shot go in over and over while listening to your player's goal music.”
- “I recall that being a thing in the original, and it was fun to watch your shot go in over and over while listening to your player's goal music.”
- “The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during gameplay.”
- “I expected a more dynamic soundtrack, but the tracks are dull and don't match the game's energy.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The graphics of the games are perceived as a simplified, arcade-style design that appeals to a specific demographic, though some users express a preference for the original interface, citing its aesthetic appeal and distinctiveness from similar titles like Backyard Baseball.
- “The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
- “The character models are poorly designed and look like they belong in a last-gen title.”
- “The environments are bland and uninspired, making the game visually unappealing.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been optimized for modern computers, but no significant changes or improvements have been noted by users.
- “No changes that I've found yet, other than being optimized for modern-day computers.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the humor in the game largely stems from amusing glitches, such as characters' heads shaking erratically and the CPU scoring own goals, which adds a lighthearted and entertaining element to the experience without impacting gameplay.
- “Sometimes the player heads become buggy and shake side to side (nothing that affects your gameplay, though). The CPU even makes its own goals sometimes, and it's honestly hilarious.”
- “The witty dialogue and absurd situations had me laughing out loud. It's refreshing to see a game that doesn't take itself too seriously.”
- “The slapstick humor and unexpected moments keep the gameplay light-hearted and entertaining, making every session a joy.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Overall, players report occasional stability issues, such as character heads shaking and the CPU scoring own goals, but these glitches do not significantly impact gameplay and are often seen as humorous.
- “Sometimes the player heads become buggy and shake side to side, which doesn't affect gameplay, but it's quite distracting. The CPU even scores own goals sometimes, and it's honestly hilarious.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it frustrating to progress.”
- “I experienced several instances of lag and stuttering, which really detracted from the overall experience.”