Backyard Baseball 97 Review – A Triumphant Return

by

25 years after its initial release, I’m diving into a nostalgic trip with my Backyard Baseball ’97 Review! This timeless baseball adventure, now revived by MegaCat Studios, offers a fresh spin on the original gameplay that can be enjoyed on both PC and mobile devices. But will the charm of yesteryears still captivate us in today’s gaming landscape? Let’s uncover the answers as we delve into Backyard Baseball ’97!

Backyard Baseball 97 Review – What is Backyard Baseball 97?

Backyard Baseball 1997, originally created by Humongous Entertainment, has been reimagined by Mega Cat Studios with a remarkable level of authenticity. The remake retains most aspects from the original game, offering a nostalgic gaming experience. Notably, MegaCat also introduced this classic title to mobile platforms, allowing players to enjoy it on-the-go.

The game is available on Steam and Mobile devices (iOS and Android)

In contrast to MLB The Show, the lineup of Backyard Baseball boasts 30 characters, but they’re not professional athletes you’d typically find there. Instead, this game showcases child baseball players, each with unique abilities and drawbacks. Some excel in fielding, while others shine in pitching. However, there’s a player like Pablo Sanchez who’s versatile enough to perform well in any role.

Player skill is determined by their ratings across four different categories:

  • Batting
  • Running
  • Pitching
  • Fielding

In each category, every player has an assigned score. For instance, Angela Delvecchio excels as a Pitcher with a 4/4 rating, but her skills in fielding and running (1/4) are not remarkable. Nevertheless, these ratings don’t entirely define Angela’s abilities; she can still reach base or employ a bunt to create an opportunity.

Every child in the series boasts a unique history, enriching their characters and contributing to the endearing appeal that propelled it to popularity. Even after 27 years from its initial debut, Backyard Baseball continues to be cherished by many. However, the question remains: is the remake as endearing?

Gameplay – Backyard Baseball 97 Review

The gaming experience of Backyard Baseball 97 remains consistent across PC and mobile platforms. However, the key distinction lies in control mechanisms. On PC, the controls function as they traditionally have, ensuring veteran players can carry on without issue. Conversely, the mobile version operates a bit differently in terms of control.

On the mobile variant, batting performs quite smoothly. Just as with the desktop version, you tap to swing and ideally propel the ball far away. In general, batting on mobile is delightful, while on PC it retains its familiar feel from before. The same can be said for fielding, which shares the same satisfying experience as in the original game.

In contrast, pitching can sometimes be tricky when using mobile devices. On a tablet like an iPad, you’ll find it easier to target the strike zone and pitch area compared to an iPhone. The issue with iPhone is that it might be challenging to throw that ideal pitch precisely. At times, my pitch may not go as planned or my finger could accidentally slide across the screen. In summary, the precision isn’t quite the same as when using a PC.

As a gamer myself, I can tell you that this tool generally does the job pretty well. If you’ve got an iPad, I strongly suggest giving it a try; it performs much better in my experience compared to an iPhone. On the other hand, if you’re a PC gamer, you can breathe easy – pitching works just as smoothly as before with no complications at all.

27 years following its initial launch, the charm of Backyard Baseball remains enjoyable. It doesn’t come off as simplistic nor overly complex. While batting, you have numerous tactics available to help you reach base. Whether you wish to alter the trajectory of your swing, bunt, or aim for a line drive, there are several options at your fingertips to make contact with the ball.

Although your player’s skills dictate their performance, it’s delightful to witness players excel in areas they usually find challenging. For instance, Kenny Kawaguchi may not be our top batter, but his unexpected plays make the game even more enjoyable. Over time, you might discover yourself becoming increasingly captivated by these young athletes’ exceptional baseball skills.

In this game, every pitch presents an equal amount of intrigue and challenge. Each pitcher possesses a ‘juice’ gauge, representing their endurance. Regular pitches consume less energy but don’t offer anything extraordinary. However, you can employ special pitches like Slowballs or Heaters at the expense of more juice to surprise the batters. Although straightforward, it’s enjoyable and each at-bat maintains a sense of novelty, keeping the gameplay fresh.

However, Pitchers and batters can only use power-ups after meeting certain criteria, making you work for those bonuses.

Backyard Baseball 97 offers three primary play modes, each conveniently reachable from the clubhouse.

To start playing immediately, you can engage in spontaneous matches with AI for an instant dive-in experience. If you prefer a quick game without the need for team strategizing, this is perfect for learning the game’s fundamental mechanics. However, we suggest opting for Single Game instead. In essence, it functions similarly, but allows you to choose your players, which offers a more effective way of learning the game once you have your preferred lineup.

To sum up, the Season Mode in this game serves as its equivalent to the Franchise mode, where you build your own team by selecting characters from the given roster. Despite Backyard Baseball being a straightforward game, it becomes engaging and intriguing when choosing your desired players, especially during those final decisions for the last 1-2 spots. Indeed, Pablo Sanchez and Pete Wheeler might seem like obvious choices, but it’s the selection of those remaining players that can get quite exciting.

Every season is made up of fourteen matches prior to the postseason, and the postseason is divided into three distinct phases.

  • BBL Playoffs (Best of 3)
  • Super Entire Nation Tournament (Best of 3)
  • Ultra Grand Champion of the Universe (Best of 5)

What makes Seasons appealing is its fast pace; a 14-game season seems less daunting compared to the 162 games required in an MLB The Show Franchise. Simulating games in The Show may save time, but it also means missing chances to set records and truly experience the gameplay.

In essence, if you’re skillful enough, you can complete a season in as few as 21 matches, but the maximum games for a season are limited to 25. To put it simply, the single-player mode (Seasons) of Backyard Baseball 97 is a compelling reason to purchase the game due to its engaging gameplay, which echoes the original experience.

Perhaps my only gripes for the remake include:
  • The minor pitching issues on mobile
  • The non-inclusion of Pick-Up Play maps in league play (season mode)

The final option seems quite intense. In Single Game, you can select from a variety of seven unique battlefields, making me think it’d be exciting to experience these arenas within the Season mode as well. Playing on the same field repeatedly can get a bit monotonous visually, and I believe incorporating some of those other maps into Season would add some freshness and excitement. Having an option to toggle which maps are accessible would be a great addition.

Each of these maps presents its own distinct difficulties due to differences in terrain and stadium size. Adjusting your game plan accordingly is crucial. Additionally, allowing players to select specific maps for use during League Play would give them more control over the gaming experience.

As a non-developer, I’m unsure of the extent MegaCat could modify the product. However, it appears that making minor adjustments and enhancements to the game could have been beneficial. Luckily, the initial gameplay remains mostly unchanged and continues to be enjoyable for me.

Going past the minor concerns, Backyard Baseball truly embodies the spirit of the original game. Regardless if you choose to play it on your computer or mobile device, you’re guaranteed a heap of enjoyable gaming experience.

Audio & Visual – Backyard Baseball 97 Review

1997’s Backyard Baseball maintains the timeless appearance of its predecessor, preserving the original player sounds and commentary. The visual and auditory aspects remain strikingly similar to your memories, offering a nostalgic experience. In essence, there isn’t much more to convey other than our gratitude towards MegaCat for keeping the game mostly unchanged.

I’m really fond of Backyard Baseball’s visual aesthetics, particularly its color palette and artistic style. It all stands out, from the vibrant colors to the distinctive logos and character designs. Moreover, the early entries in the series had a heartwarming and endearing feel to them. For instance, I adore Achmed Khan’s oversized headphones, and Tony Delvecchio’s ‘tough-guy’ appearance adds an extra layer of charm.

We invite you to explore and master each unique character and setting that made Backyard Baseball stand out over the years. The visuals and auditory elements from this timeless game continue to impress even now.

Additionally, I’m a fan of the game’s commentators, Vinnie the Gooch and Sunny Day. However, some gamers might find the conversation between players and commentators too much. Luckily, the game offers settings in its menu where you can mute any unwanted audio, making it more pleasant for those who prefer to control their listening experience.

Verdict: Is Backyard Baseball 97 Worth Your Time & Money?

As a gamer, I can confidently say that no matter if you’re gaming on your computer or mobile device, Backyard Baseball 97 feels like a breath of fresh air from yesteryears, preserving the enchantment and visual appeal of the original game. It doesn’t need to introduce novel elements for it to be enjoyable; just being able to relive those nostalgic moments is enough. I appreciate that MegaCat chose not to overhaul the gameplay mechanics, keeping the spirit of the classic intact. And let me tell you, the controls have been remarkably well-adapted (for the most part) for mobile devices.

Although the remake has a few small imperfections, such as improved pitching on mobile platforms, it could use slight adjustments for an enhanced gaming experience. Nevertheless, I appreciate the opportunity to legally play this game on contemporary devices, making its return welcome.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but share my excitement about this game! It’s just $4.99 on mobile devices and $9.99 on Steam. With the MLB season in full swing, there might even be some special deals coming up. But whether or not there are sales, the enjoyment and value you’ll get from this game is definitely worth your investment of time and money.

Long live Pablo Sanchez!

Score: 9.5/10

Read More

2025-03-28 19:40