Backyard Baseball is swinging back onto PC with the same backyard charm that made the original a 90s classic, this time in full 3D with 30 playable kids, 24 teams, and six game modes. The Steam release lands today with local co-op and split-screen play, while PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch versions are planned to follow at a later date.
At a Glance:
- Release Date: Released (PC/Steam); console versions planned for a later date
- Genre: Sports, Casual, Action, Simulation
- Platform: PC, Mac (Steam)
- Cost: $39.99 USD
- Developer/Publisher: Mega Cat Studios / Playground Productions
- Store Link: Get Backyard Baseball on Steam →
The Concept: A Classic Rebuilt From the Ground Up
Backyard Baseball is the first all-new entry in the Backyard Sports franchise in nearly a decade, and the first to bring the series to modern consoles in 15 years. It reimagines the beloved 90s sandlot classic in 3D for the first time, bringing back backyard legend Pablo Sanchez and the rest of the neighborhood gang alongside a roster of 30 characters, 24 customizable teams, and 11 remastered stadiums drawn from the original 1997 game. True to the series’ roots, there are no injuries and errors can be turned off entirely — the whole point is to keep things fun, accessible, and true to its “Play Like a Kid” motto, whether you’re new to baseball or a longtime fan revisiting old favorites.
Core Gameplay Features
- Six Game Modes, Three Ways to Play — Classic pick-up games sit alongside reimagined modes like batting practice and brand-new additions.
- Local co-op and split-screen multiplayer for backyard-style couch play
- Accessibility features and simple modes like T-ball make it easy to jump in at any skill level
- Chaotic Power-Ups — The series’ signature over-the-top abilities are back and crazier than ever.
- Pitchers can unleash Fire Balls, Crazy Balls, and Spitballs
- Batters can counter with Crazy Bunts, Undergrounders, and the legendary Aluminum Power Bat
- Earn-It-Yourself Rewards — Achievements, unlockable characters, and collectible trading cards, with no microtransactions.
- Collectible cards feature original artwork of the Backyard Kids from independent artists
- Tokens are earned purely through play, never purchased
Who Is This For?
Backyard Baseball is built for anyone who grew up with the original games and wants that same easygoing charm in a modern package, as well as families and younger players looking for an approachable sports game without the steep learning curve of a full baseball sim. Local multiplayer support also makes it a solid pick for couch co-op nights.
Pro Tip
Online multiplayer isn’t available at launch, so if you’re planning a co-op session, line up your friends for local split-screen play on the same machine for now rather than expecting to matchmake online.
