Fans of the beloved Backyard Sports franchise have reason to celebrate! Publisher Playground Productions has officially relaunched Backyard Football `99 on Steam and mobile platforms. This updated release captures the essence of the original, featuring its distinctive blend of animated child athletes and youthful depictions of real-life NFL legends.
The roster proudly includes many iconic professional players such as Barry Sanders, Dan Marino, Drew Bledsoe, Jerry Rice, John Elway, Randall Cunningham, and Steve Young. However, a notable change in this remaster is the absence of Brett Favre. Developer Mega Cat Studios has introduced a new character, Chase Downfield, to take his place, marking the first time a new original character has been added to these nostalgic re-releases.
While the game successfully brings back many “kid-ified” football stars, it`s important to note that the remaster does not feature any official NFL team imagery or branding. The original 1999 game allowed players to utilize actual NFL team names and logos, but this modern version encourages creativity with whimsical team names such as the “Labrador Receivers,” “Dirty Socks,” or “Ticklish Tornados.” Interestingly, another recent Steam release, Backyard Baseball `01, did retain MLB team references and logos.
Despite these minor changes, including the exclusion of Brett Favre and official NFL iconography, Backyard Football `99 is poised to deliver a powerful wave of nostalgia. Its faithful recreation of the original`s visuals and audio guarantees a familiar and enjoyable experience for those who cherished playing the classic on CD-ROM.
“Backyard Football ‘99 made me a football fan for life. From learning plays to managing teams, this game made football accessible, fun, and exciting for all ages,” stated Lindsay Barnett, CEO of Playground Productions, in a press release. “I am so proud to bring it back in time for football season.”
Looking ahead, Playground Productions has announced further plans for the Backyard Sports series. Upcoming re-releases include Backyard Basketball `01 and Backyard Hockey `02, though specific launch dates for these titles have not yet been revealed.