Games like Backyard Baseball '97
If Backyard Baseball '97 is your kind of game, the closest matches are Backyard Baseball '01, Backyard Baseball and Street Sports Baseball — picked from the ranked list below. Reviewers single out its drafting a team matters, gameplay is surprisingly deep and funny. Each pick is ranked by what players of this game also play, shared genres and tags, and review-mined similarity — not a generic popularity list.
Get personalized picks →Backyard Baseball '97 is a sports and casual game developed by Mega Cat Studios and published by Playground Productions, released in 2024 at $9.99. It simulates arcade-style youth baseball with character personalization and progression systems, offering simple controls alongside team management depth. Players describe the experience as funny and lighthearted, with reviewers highlighting how drafting team favorites matters due to distinct character strengths and weaknesses. The game features competitive sports action in a family-friendly, nostalgic setting rooted in childhood. Reviewers note the gameplay is surprisingly deep, creating a lighthearted kids versus MLB stars crossover feel. Players especially highlight Pablo Sánchez as an unstoppable legend. The game runs verified on Steam Deck and holds a 98% positive rating from 1940 Steam reviews.
About Backyard Baseball '97: Rediscover the joy of the original Backyard Baseball 1997, now updated for modern systems! Build your roster from among the iconic Backyard Kids, aim for those home runs, and various game modes. Relive the magic of this classic baseball game!
Players who liked Backyard Baseball '97 also play
Steam players who put hours into Backyard Baseball '97 also tend to own these titles — a signal called collaborative filtering. imho.run cross-references millions of library ownership patterns to surface games whose real audiences overlap, regardless of whether their genre tags match.
Backyard Baseball '01
WHY THIS
Shares character progression, sports and a funny mood with Backyard Baseball '97.
Top pick for Backyard Baseball '97 fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Sports and Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
Backyard Baseball 2001 is the second Backyard Baseball game, and the fourth overall game, in the Backyard Sports franchise. Build your roster from iconic Backyard athletes and legendary MLB players. Strike out opponents, hit homers, and earn hilarious Power-ups. Play ball!
Backyard Baseball
WHY THIS
Second-strongest match for Backyard Baseball '97 fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Sports with Backyard Baseball '97.
The arcade-style classic is back - and it's leveling up. With enhanced gameplay, new game modes, and all the humor & charm of the original, this is Backyard Baseball like it was always meant to be played. Wishlist now for Opening Day on July 9th. Are you ready to play like a kid again?
Street Sports Baseball
WHY THIS
Third-strongest match for Backyard Baseball '97 fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Sports with Backyard Baseball '97.
In this unique baseball game from 1987, assemble a team of kids from a small neighbourhood and play ball with nothing but tires and flattened boxes for bases and a trash can lid for home plate.
Backyard Soccer '98
WHY THIS
Shares sports and a retro mood with Backyard Baseball '97.
Ranked #4 for Backyard Baseball '97 fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Sports and Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
Return to the soccer field with your favorite Backyard athletes! The original Backyard Soccer 1998 is back and now enhanced to run on Steam. Build your roster from among the iconic Backyard Kids. Kick, pass, and score in this classic game that made soccer fun for everyone!
Backyard Basketball '01
WHY THIS
Shares sports and a retro mood with Backyard Baseball '97.
Ranked #5 for Backyard Baseball '97 fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Sports and Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
Return to the blacktop with your favorite Backyard athletes! The original Backyard Basketball 2001 is back and now enhanced to run on Steam. Dribble, shoot, and take that ball to the hoop!
Accolade Sports Collection (QUByte Classics)
WHY THIS
Ranked #6 for Backyard Baseball '97 fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Sports with Backyard Baseball '97.
Prove that you're the best gamer of the 90s. Take on everything from legendary baseball to electrifying street basketball, winter and summer sports and try to beat five games that made history: Hardball!, Hardball II, Hoops Shut Up And Jam!, Winter Challenge and Summer Challenge.
Backyard Hockey '02
WHY THIS
Shares sports and a retro mood with Backyard Baseball '97.
Ranked #7 for Backyard Baseball '97 fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Sports and Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
Return to the ice with your favorite Backyard athletes! The original Backyard Hockey 2002 is back and now enhanced to run on Steam. Skate, pass, shoot, and score in this classic game!
Backyard Football '99
WHY THIS
Shares team management, character progression, sports and a funny mood with Backyard Baseball '97.
Ranked #8 for Backyard Baseball '97 fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Sports and Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
Backyard Football 1999 is back and now enhanced to run on modern systems. Whether you're picking Jerry Rice or Barry Sanders for your dream team, scoring TDs with Pablo Sanchez, or enjoying the witty banter between Sunny Day and Chuck Downfield, simple controls let anyone pick up and play football!
Reviewers mention these as similar to Backyard Baseball '97
Surfaced from review text: when other players write 'if you liked X, try Y', we catch the name and resolve it back to a Steam game.
Super Mega Baseball 3
WHY THIS
Shares a nostalgic mood with Backyard Baseball '97.
Reviewers of Backyard Baseball '97 cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Sports with Backyard Baseball '97.
Run up the score in a relaxed slugfest or push the limits of your reflexes in this refined baseball simulator. The third entry in the series features all-new Franchise and Online Leagues modes, major graphical enhancements, and on-field additions including pickoffs and situational player traits.
Peanut
WHY THIS
Reviewers of Backyard Baseball '97 cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
A classically styled Corgi 2D platform adventure game with an indie zest with an intriguing storyline. not a puzzle platformer, more a puzzling story platformer or corginoir (but cheerier!). Level by level you get closer to the truth that you perceive.
Out of the Park Baseball 25
WHY THIS
Shares character progression and sports with Backyard Baseball '97.
Reviewers of Backyard Baseball '97 cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Sports with Backyard Baseball '97.
Out of the Park Baseball 25 marks a milestone - 25 years of sports gaming excellence! Officially licensed by MLB, the MLB Players Inc. and KBO, this year's Anniversary Edition puts you in charge of your favorite baseball franchise. Your team, your legacy, your dynasty. Play what the pros play!
Cheaper alternatives
Games in the same vein priced at least 40% below Backyard Baseball '97 at current Steam store prices.
Garry's Mod
WHY THIS
Priced ~50% under Backyard Baseball '97 on Steam right now. Shares Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
Garry's Mod is a physics sandbox. There aren't any predefined aims or goals. We give you the tools and leave you to play.
Vampire Survivors
WHY THIS
Priced ~50% under Backyard Baseball '97 on Steam right now. Shares Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
Mow down thousands of night creatures and survive until dawn! Vampire Survivors is a gothic horror casual game with rogue-lite elements, where your choices can allow you to quickly snowball against the hundreds of monsters that get thrown at you. Be the bullet hell!
Cookie Clicker
WHY THIS
Priced ~50% under Backyard Baseball '97 on Steam right now. Shares Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
An idle game about making cookies! Originally released in 2013 on the web, and actively developed since then. This is the official version for Steam.
WEBFISHING
WHY THIS
Priced ~50% under Backyard Baseball '97 on Steam right now. Shares Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
WEBFISHING a multiplayer chatroom-focused fishing game! Relax and fish (on the web!)
Brotato
WHY THIS
Priced ~50% under Backyard Baseball '97 on Steam right now. Shares Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
Brotato is a top-down arena shooter roguelite where you play a potato wielding up to 6 weapons at a time to fight off hordes of aliens. Choose from a variety of traits and items to create unique builds and survive until help arrives.
The Test
WHY THIS
Priced ~80% under Backyard Baseball '97 on Steam right now.
You will answer a series of questions that will reveal truths from deep within. These questions may make you uncomfortable, but with great knowledge comes great sacrifice. Can you make it all the way through The Test, and if you do, are you sure you want the answers you seek?
Blood and Bacon
WHY THIS
Priced ~90% under Backyard Baseball '97 on Steam right now. Shares Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
This Co-op Shooter , has Day and Night levels, multiple maps, players will take on 25 enemy types and numerous bosses, like Gargantuan Monsters and Minibosses every 10 days as you explore, shoot and run for your life against the onslaught of porcine monstrosities.
Placid Plastic Duck Simulator
WHY THIS
Priced ~80% under Backyard Baseball '97 on Steam right now. Shares Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
The ultimate high-tech rubber duck simulation, Placid Plastic Duck brings you dangerous levels of relaxation. With chill music, dreamy 3D graphics, and many different happy ducks, your only priority is to float around. Zero Ducks given.
Free alternatives
Free-to-play games that recommended players of this title also tend to enjoy.
Doki Doki Literature Club!
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
The Literature Club is full of cute girls! Will you write the way into their heart? This game is not suitable for children or those who are easily disturbed.
Bongo Cat
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.
Bongo cat needs your help. Bongo cat needz more hatz!!! Every time you press a key, Bongo cat will punch your taskbar. Type, click, play, work to collect more points. Which hats will you find?
ENA: Dream BBQ
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.
Experience surreal environments and inexplicable characters as ENA in a new wild world.
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
Sonic the Hedgehog...was murdered!? Get to the bottom of the mystery in this brand-new adventure!
Indigo Park: Chapter 1
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.
Explore the abandoned childhood wonder of Indigo Park! Guided by Rambley the Raccoon, help restore power to the destroyed amusement park while you run from the reason it shut down.
The Looker
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.
You wake up, alone, on a strangely familiar island full of puzzles that will frustrate and annoy you.
Our Life: Beginnings & Always
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
A twenty-dollar bill, four summers, fifteen years, and a one of a kind life. Create an experience that’s all your own in this near-fully customizable visual novel where you grow from childhood to adulthood with the lonely boy next door.
Narrow it down
Head-to-head comparisons
More from Mega Cat Studios
Other recommendable Steam games by Mega Cat Studios, ranked by review count so the studio's hits land first.
Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit
WHY THIS
Shares retro with Backyard Baseball '97.
Another title from Mega Cat Studios, the studio behind Backyard Baseball '97.
Survive five nights of terror in this chilling adventure game. Travel between time periods to solve puzzles, gather clues, and outrun the threat relentlessly pursuing you. Move swiftly and stay hidden, and you may just survive. But be careful—it's not just your own life that’s on the line this time.
Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood
WHY THIS
Shares arcade style and a funny mood with Backyard Baseball '97.
Another title from Mega Cat Studios, the studio behind Backyard Baseball '97. Shares Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
Slash and survive a typical workday as Dracula's overworked and underappreciated servant! You'll have a bloody good time as you rampage through New Orleans to find fresh victims for your narcissistic boss.
WrestleQuest
WHY THIS
Shares a retro mood with Backyard Baseball '97.
Another title from Mega Cat Studios, the studio behind Backyard Baseball '97.
TAG TEAM WITH DESTINY! Pro wrestling and RPG fantasy collide in the ultimate pixel powered adventure. “Macho Man” Randy Savage and tons of other icons offer guidance as you powerbomb your way to glory beyond the ring. This hero’s journey ain’t just an epic quest, it’s WRESTLEQUEST!
Backyard Baseball '01
WHY THIS
Shares character progression, sports and a funny mood with Backyard Baseball '97.
Another title from Mega Cat Studios, the studio behind Backyard Baseball '97. Shares Sports and Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
Backyard Baseball 2001 is the second Backyard Baseball game, and the fourth overall game, in the Backyard Sports franchise. Build your roster from iconic Backyard athletes and legendary MLB players. Strike out opponents, hit homers, and earn hilarious Power-ups. Play ball!
Backyard Soccer '98
WHY THIS
Shares sports and a retro mood with Backyard Baseball '97.
Another title from Mega Cat Studios, the studio behind Backyard Baseball '97. Shares Sports and Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
Return to the soccer field with your favorite Backyard athletes! The original Backyard Soccer 1998 is back and now enhanced to run on Steam. Build your roster from among the iconic Backyard Kids. Kick, pass, and score in this classic game that made soccer fun for everyone!
Backyard Football '99
WHY THIS
Shares team management, character progression, sports and a funny mood with Backyard Baseball '97.
Another title from Mega Cat Studios, the studio behind Backyard Baseball '97. Shares Sports and Casual with Backyard Baseball '97.
Backyard Football 1999 is back and now enhanced to run on modern systems. Whether you're picking Jerry Rice or Barry Sanders for your dream team, scoring TDs with Pablo Sanchez, or enjoying the witty banter between Sunny Day and Chuck Downfield, simple controls let anyone pick up and play football!
Angry Video Game Nerd 8-bit
WHY THIS
Shares arcade style and a retro mood with Backyard Baseball '97.
Another title from Mega Cat Studios, the studio behind Backyard Baseball '97.
The Angry Video Game Nerd is back in 8-bits! Battle through frantic platforming levels, defeat classic AVGN bosses, and save all of gaming, or test your skills in Endless Challenge mode!
Coffee Crisis
WHY THIS
Another title from Mega Cat Studios, the studio behind Backyard Baseball '97.
Coffee Crisis is an neo-rogue brawler that puts you in the shoes of the only baristas on Earth with enough heavy metal in their veins to fend off an alien assault. Play solo or join up with a friend to fight across eight locations ranging from your Coffee House HQ to the far reaches of outer space.
Frequently asked about Backyard Baseball '97
- Is Backyard Baseball '97 verified for Steam Deck?
- Yes — Backyard Baseball '97 is Steam Deck Verified, meaning Valve has confirmed it runs well on the Deck with full controller, text legibility, and default configuration support.
- How much does Backyard Baseball '97 cost?
- Backyard Baseball '97 is listed on Steam at 9.99 USD (current store price; Steam sales may reduce this temporarily).
- What games are most similar to Backyard Baseball '97?
- Based on Steam play patterns and shared genres/tags, the games most often recommended alongside Backyard Baseball '97 are Backyard Baseball '01, Backyard Baseball, Street Sports Baseball.
- Who developed Backyard Baseball '97?
- Backyard Baseball '97 was developed by Mega Cat Studios and published by Playground Productions.
imho.run ranks Steam game alternatives using a mix of collaborative filtering (ALS / iALS / EASE / LightGCN), content scoring over genres, categories, Steam tags, developers, and publishers, plus AI-extracted vibes mined from review text. The page above is generated in seed mode anchored on Backyard Baseball '97.
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