Games

Backyard Baseball ’97 Review: Fun, Goofy, but a slow-paced experience

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For years as an avid enthusiast of baseball games, I’d been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to play Backyard Baseball ’97 and share my thoughts on it. Through passing mentions and brief video clips, I had caught glimpses of it over time, but it wasn’t until recently that I finally got my hands on it – thanks to a fortuitous redeem code from a friend who graciously offered me access to download this highly-regarded game.

Over the course of many years, I’ve experienced numerous baseball games carrying official licenses. However, there’s an unique charm to immersing oneself in a classic game like this one. It exudes that nostalgic, cartoon-inspired appeal that resonates in a distinct way. Having invested several hours with it on my iQOO Neo 7 Pro, I am now ready to share my thoughts on Backyard Baseball ’97, as expressed in this review.

Backyard Baseball ’97 offers a fun gameplay to begin with, although on the slower side

Without delay, the game launches with an intro resembling a movie that establishes its mood. It brought to mind the beloved ’80s and ’90s cartoons from our TV screens, whether it’s the visuals, the atmosphere, or the music. The game’s display resolution is not typically 1920×1080, but intentionally reduced to evoke a retro vibe.

Following that wave of nostalgia, you dive right back into the familiar user interface, which I’ll delve deeper into at a later time. For now, let’s focus on the gameplay itself. This game isn’t about rigid rules and heavy baseball conventions; it maintains an enjoyable and uncomplicated atmosphere. The mechanics are intuitive, but there’s a charming, unique spin to each aspect that defines the game’s character.

From the Pick-up Window, not only can you enter the League, but you also have several other options. For instance, you can engage in a Single Game, test your skills in Batting Practice mode, or simply watch a match unfold. The selection of characters is quite diverse as well. Although I haven’t tried them all, the game suggests there are a total of 30 characters available.

While there’s much to appreciate about the game, one aspect that could use improvement is the pace. It tends to be on the slower side, and although the skip button for animations and walk-ins provides some relief, it doesn’t fully address my concern. During actual gameplay, the flow felt stretched out, with more pauses between actions than I prefer.

Easy on the eye colours on the graphics with ‘almost’ no-fuss controls

Previously discussed, the appeal of this game lies within its aesthetics. From the smooth animations to the overall design, it exudes an artistic flair. I’m utterly captivated by its whimsical, cartoonish allure, and I strongly recommend giving it a try for an enchanting experience.

In terms of controls, the game makes things generally straightforward. You’ll find it easy to grasp batting, pitching, and fielding in a short span of time. However, don’t be fooled by its simplicity; there’s a fair amount of depth to explore. When you’re at bat, you’ll have the option to swing for a Power hit or opt for a basic Bunt. Additionally, you can customize your batting stance.

Instead of only tossing soft pitches, pitching involves using various types of pitches. On the other hand, I found hitting to be somewhat challenging; I struggled to make the right swings. Feel free to share your own experiences with me in the comments below.

An additional point to the top-class presentation of matches

For me, the most enjoyable aspect of the game lies in its commentary at the onset of each match. It’s filled with amusing, exaggerated one-liners that perfectly complement the game’s upbeat atmosphere. The music is catchy as well, with a nostalgic retro tune reminiscent of old-school games.

I can’t recall the specific character who said it, but there was this amusing line, “We need a solid bat, not a busted ladder“, that had me chuckling. Regarding the humor, though, I ended up being the punchline as I managed to get three outs in a row. So, I guess you could say the joke was on me!

It’s almost certain that you’ll either adore or find irritating the repeated phrases “Swing, Batter!” and “I’m rooting for the other team“. Despite their frequent appearance every 10 seconds, the charming and lively character designs tend to capture your focus, making it uncommon to resort to skipping. When they step up to bat, their distinctive styles make it amusing.

The goofy UI has charm, but it can test your patience

To put it simply, while my viewpoint might not align with yours after trying out the game, here’s what I thought about the user interface: From the get-go, I found the presentation to be quite unique. The welcoming treehouse ambiance, complete with a little ladder, was appealing to me and helped set a pleasant tone.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, it’s not the aesthetics that are bugging me; it’s the functionality. On the outside, it appears user-friendly, but delve a bit deeper into the menus, and that’s where the frustration sets in. In their quest for uniqueness, they’ve ended up making it confusing instead. And let’s not forget the lack of an auto-save feature – that’s just asking for trouble!

During my gameplay in the League campaign, I found it challenging to return to the main menu as the only available option was to exit. This isn’t something I particularly enjoy. However, I must say that there’s a good level of detail, the icon designs are creative, and overall, it looks quite appealing.

Free of ads and in-app purchases

Absolutely! Here’s the gist of it: Yes, it’s quite straightforward to comprehend. The perks of opting for a premium video game are outlined below. There won’t be any ads, interruptions, or pay-to-win elements. It’s all about you and the gaming experience.

Final Verdict

Experimenting with Backyard Baseball ’97 is a delightful adventure worth exploring. Despite its imperfections, this classic game demonstrates that basic gameplay can still be superior. With minimal visual effects, no extra downloadable content, and no in-app purchases, it’s a game centered around enjoyment rather than commercial aspects.

2025 seems too far for a game without an auto-save feature and with slow gameplay. It’s like stepping back into the ’90s, yet we expect more modern conveniences nowadays. A faster, enhanced gameplay would definitely keep players engaged, but I fear those improvements may not be implemented.

Backyard Baseball ’97 Review by GamingonPhone

Gameplay Mechanics – 7
Gamemodes – 7
Graphics and Music – 8.5
Controls and UI – 7
Value for Money – 8

7.5

Good

To my mind, what truly stands out is the straightforward gameplay. The ambiance, masterfully crafted by top-notch presentation, can sometimes be diminished due to sluggish pacing.

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2025-04-20 09:11

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