Summary
A reboot of theBackyard Sportsgames is now in the works, and a few key decisions could prove crucial for its impact. It has been a long time since theBackyard Sportsgames had a release, and the series has fallen into relative obscurity outside of its nostalgic fanbase. The announced reboot has the potential to dramatically change the series' fortunes, potentially bringing it back to prominence. Before a serious revival can happen, the comeback game will need to make a strong first impression. To do so, there are a few notes thatBackyard Sportswill want to hit.
Thereturn ofBackyard Sportswas a big surprise, since it seemed that the series was dormant following its recent history. The originalBackyard Sportsgames, particularly the iconicBackyard Baseball, were popular games with fun characters and gameplay. However, later games saw several changes to the formula that proved to be unpopular. As a result, the series received less acclaim with its new releases until the new games stopped entirely, with the last entries, a pair of mobile games, dropping in 2015. A new entry forBackyard Sportswill carry the responsibility of reversing that trend and returning the series to prominence.
Backyard Sports Needs to Rediscover its Classic Charm
Backyard Sports Can Be an Alternative to Sports Simulation Games
In a change fromMLB The Show 24’s gameplay style,Backyard Sportstends to take a simple yet fun approach to gameplay, being easy to understand, but still a solid skills test, especially on higher difficulties. As a result, theBackyard Sportstitles are very much pick-up-and-play games, which makes sense as they are intended for players of all ages. Since a lot of major sports games have been focusing on simulation-style gameplay,Backyard Sports' approach could provide a welcome alternative for players who prefer a more arcade-like experience. The developers should verify that the new games have a similar gameplay style.
Backyard Sports' Iconic Characters Need to Return
WhileBackyard Sportsgames did end up incorporatingreal-world professional athletes in games, the Backyard Kids were a major part of the series' appeal. With distinct designs and quirky personalities, the Backyard Kids were a constant of the games. However, as the series went on, several characters were cut from the roster, and others received drastic redesigns that lost the spirit of the original characters. A return to the old style and character design is paramount if the new developers wish to recapture what made the original game great. If the teaser trailer is any indication, the new team has likely taken notice.
With the teaser showing previously removed characters like Kenny Kawaguchi and Angela Delvecchio, there are already good signs forBackyard Sports' roster.
Power-Ups are a Core Part of the Backyard Sports Experience
Another important part of theBackyard Sportsgames is reminiscent of theitems fromMario Kartrather than mainstream sports games. Players can earn power-ups over the course of the game, such asBackyard Basketball’s Butter Fingers making the opponent lose the ball, orBaseball’s iconic Alumunum Power bat guaranteeing a home run. Just like howMario Kartcan’t exist without items,Backyard Sportsneeds its power-ups to add to the wild fun of the games. Of course, old standbys will need to make a return, and the reboot could also potentially add a few new power-ups to shake things further up.
If the reboot goes well,Backyard Sportscould develop into a legitimate challenger toNintendo’sMario Sportsgamesin its niche. The series already has a fanbase hoping for a great comeback, and that fanbase could expand greatly if the first game in the series does what it needs to do.Backyard Sportsalready showed off a winning formula in its initial releases with a strong mix of character, style, and gameplay. By recapturing those traits, theBackyard Sportsreboot can bring the series back to its former glory.
Mario Kart 8
WHERE TO PLAY
Race with Mario and friends anytime, anywhere! Burn rubber across Mushroom Kingdom raceways—underwater, in the sky, upside-down in zero-g, and past the finish—for the win! Get revved up for local multiplayer*, online** in-game tournaments, a revamped battle mode, and more!Stay fresh in the Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe game by playing as guest characters Inkling Girl and Inkling Boy! You can use their Splatoon inspired karts on their battle mode stage, Urchin Underpass. There are also returning items, like Boo, the item-stealing ghost, and the Feather, used exclusively in battle mode. Veterans rejoice—you can hold two items at once! Prove you’re the world’s best racer and battler in online tournaments, or simply race and battle friends online. With many control options and handheld mode, there’s always a way to play on the Nintendo Switch™ system!
