[Press Release] BACKYARD BASEBALL ’97 ROUNDS THE BASES ON CONSOLES

Playing Backyard Baseball brings up so many childhood memories. I have been playing on my Android device and Steam, but today more platforms are available to have fun in. Backyard Baseball ’97 has launched on the PlayStation 5 and Switch. I can’t wait to round the bases in the completely reverse-engineered from its 1997 original release on PC by Mega Cat Studios.

Check out the press release below and let us know who your favourite player is.

CHICAGO, June 12^th, 2025 – Children’s and family entertainment company Playground Productions today announced the long-awaited console debut of “Backyard Baseball ’97.” The widely beloved video game that teed up a generation of kid-powered sports entertainment will be available on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 beginning June 12^th.

Following recent chart-topping success across Steam, Android, and iOS devices—where the game hit #1 across multiple categories and was named an Apple editorial pick—the console release continues Playground Productions’ mission to preserve and celebrate the nostalgic fun of the original Backyard Sports titles. The June launch marks a major milestone as Backyard Baseball ’97 is brought to console for the first time.

“Whether you grew up playing on a family desktop or are just discovering the magic for the first time, this game’s pick-up-and-play charm, funny characters, and nostalgic art style remain unrivaled,” said Lindsay Barnett, CEO of Playground Productions, which owns Backyard Sports, in announcing the launch. “It’s an incredible retro game that celebrates the joy of play, and we’re proud to bring it to kids and families everywhere – in the living room or on the go.”

To celebrate Backyard Baseball 97’s console debut, publisher Playground Productions and Mega Cat Studios have released a new trailer, offering a front-row seat to the nostalgic action. Watch the Backyard Baseball ’97 console announcement trailer here for Switch and here for PlayStation

Remastering the original Backyard Baseball game to modern devices was no walk in the ballpark, as the team did not have the source code from the original game. Developer Mega Cat Studios, alongside a dedicated team of passionate fans, made the impossible possible earlier this year – unlocking the game through reverse engineering of the source code for modern console play.

“For 28 years, this game has held a singular place in sports and game-lovers’ hearts,” said James Deighan, Founder and CEO, Mega Cat Studios. “To be able to bring this game back to life for the modern gamer, to expand the base of those who enjoy playing it, and to have those two audiences play together is a privilege and a pleasure for all of us. We’re excited to bring this to continually new audiences.”

For more information on the launch and Backyard Sports, visit Playground-Productions.com or follow @playground.productions. 

Article By Carmelo Cianciotta

Video Game Veteran | Electronics Enthusiast | Button Masher Since '88 With over 35 years of gaming experience under his belt (and a few worn-out controllers to prove it), Carmelo Cianciotta is your go-to guy for honest, entertaining, and occasionally sarcastic reviews of video games and electronics. Whether he's testing the latest tech or yelling at pixelated bosses from the '90s, Carmelo brings a seasoned eye and a sharp wit to everything he covers. He’s seen consoles come and go, graphics evolve from “imaginative” blobs to near-reality, and he's still wondering why every controller update adds more buttons. When Carmelo speaks tech, it's with the passion of someone who’s blown into a few cartridges and lived to tell the tale. If it's got a power button, he's probably reviewed it—possibly while sipping coffee and arguing with an AI assistant.

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