The classic game “Backyard Baseball ’97” can now be played on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch at the price of $9.99, £7.99, or €9.99. This announcement was made by publishers Playground Productions and developers Mega Cat Studios.
1997’s popular sports game originally released for PC through Steam was reintroduced on October 10, 2024. Subsequently, it became available on iOS and Android platforms on March 27, 2025.
In a recent statement, Lindsay Barnett, CEO of Playgrund Productions, shared: “Regardless if you’ve been playing since childhood on a family computer or are new to this enchanting world, the effortless allure, amusing characters, and nostalgic visual aesthetics of this game continue to outshine others. This exceptional retro game embodies the essence of playful joy, and we’re thrilled to share it with children and families worldwide – whether in the comfort of their homes or on-the-go.
As the founder and CEO of Mega Cat Studios, I can’t express enough how thrilled I am to be reviving a game that has been cherished by sports enthusiasts and gamers alike for a staggering 28 years! It’s an honor and a joy for us to introduce this classic to a new generation of players, broaden the community of fans, and even let old and new players interact. We can’t wait to share this with even more people!
Here is an overview of the game, via its store pages:
About
Step right up, baseball enthusiasts! Dive back into the nostalgia with the original Backyard Baseball ’97, now optimized for Steam. Whether you’re assembling your ultimate squad, smashing home runs, or simply here for the clever repartee, let’s return to the backyard and savor the game that turned baseball into a joy for all!
Experience the thrill of customizable baseball action! Backyard Baseball ’97 offers the authenticity and data analysis found in grown-up baseball matches, yet its user-friendly controls make it accessible for all ages to grasp. You’ll enjoy scrimmages, hone your batting skills, monitor stats, participate in single contests or full seasons – plus, you get to set the game rules!
Batter Up, Playground Style
The rules for Backyard Baseball are a hybrid of Major and Little League rules:
- No leading off
- No Injuries
- Bunting is allowed
- Tagging up is allowed
- You can also practice batting
To become familiar with the routine, select a player and engage in some simulated batting sessions with Mr. Clanky. Here’s where you’ll discover the perfect moment to click so your chosen player can successfully connect with the ball!
One Nation Under Pablo
For numerous enthusiasts, this game introduced one of the most legendary video game characters not just of the ’90s, but perhaps any period—the one and only Pablo Sanchez. Assemble your team from a group of 30 side-splitting child athletes who turned Backyard Baseball into a timeless cult favorite.
Game Modes
- Random Pick-Up – A quick way to jump right in! The computer chooses a random team for you and itself, and the game starts immediately.
- Single Game – You take turns with the computer, choosing players from a random pool of characters.
- Season – You create a team and manage the team through a 14 game series. The opposing teams are computer generated. At the end of the season the best two teams advance to the BBL playoffs (best of three). The playoffs winner advances to the championship series which consists of the Super Entire Nation Tournament (best of three) and then the Ultra Grand Championship of the Universe Series (best of five)!
Global Leaderboard
Take part in international competitions! Steam’s Leaderboard feature allows you to challenge both your friends and global gamers. Monitor your home runs, strike-outs, grand slams, season victories, and other statistics live. Discover where you stand and aim for the highest ranks!
As a gaming enthusiast who’s deeply passionate about the Backyard Sports franchise, I can’t contain my excitement! For years, fellow fans like myself have yearned for a legitimate and user-friendly platform to revisit our favorite original Backyard games. Now, it’s time to bring back those cherished memories, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to make it happen!
Due to not having the ability to modify the underlying software (source code), there are significant constraints on the types of experiences we can deliver. For instance, it’s impossible for us to incorporate gamepad support or compatibility with devices like the Steam Deck in these classic games. Additionally, attempting to use the original 32-bit code to run smoothly on modern macOS is impractical because even with a clever emulation layer, macOS is unable to execute those binaries directly.
We can optimize the game for seamless performance, integrate Steam achievements to challenge your skills, and offer an opportunity for you to excel against others in the Steam Global Leaderboards for Home Runs. The 1997 Baseball edition now performs flawlessly, boasts enhanced visuals, and introduces a fresh installment in the Backyard Sports series that rekindles affection for the original game among new enthusiasts.
Development
Since the original source code was misplaced following the 1997 launch, Playground Productions collaborated with Mega Cat Studios to rejuvenate the initial games and make them accessible on contemporary devices. Gathering passionate gamers and fans of Backyard Sports, Mega Cat Studios performed an almost miraculous task by cracking open the original CD-ROM, creating new builds that can run smoothly on current generation PCs. This painstaking process required a lot of time and dedication to breathe life back into the game. Due to the complexity of this remaster, Backyard Baseball ’97 is currently only compatible with personal computers, but both Mega Cat Studios and Playground Productions are striving to expand its availability across various platforms in the future.
Watch a new set of trailers below.
PlayStation 5 Launch Trailer
Switch Launch Trailer
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2025-06-12 17:32