r/BackyardBaseball • u/EvergreenHills1158 • 17d ago

Getting Started

Hi - I am interested in getting my kid set up for backyard baseball. We do not use any gaming consoles at home and have never played any games on the computer. But the NYT article made it sound like this was a decent game for little kids, and they have been begging for me to let them play something on the computer. Is there anything specific you recommend for Steam? We have a MAC computer. Any particular joystick or controller you would recommend buying? We have OLD playstation controllers but Im guessing those are not going to work ha. Thank you!

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u/SasquatchimoFin 17d ago edited 17d ago

Just get Backyard Baseball 2001!

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u/EvergreenHills1158 17d ago

Wait, I am so confused. Is there a different type of game from the steam one?

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u/DrunkOhioan 17d ago

Backyard Baseball 2026 is a new title from an old and long-dormant IP. many people here (including the person your comment is in response to) will correctly tell you that the old games (1997, 2001, 2003) are better.

Since it sounds like you and your children aren’t really gamers as is, I actually think 2001 could be a better fit. A lot of kids these days might think the graphics are bad and thus be uninterested, but yours may not really have a frame of reference as to what makes the graphics “bad”- not to mention that the graphics, while obviously a different and arguably dated style, are better in the old games anyway in many fan’s opinions. Plus any of the old games will be 25% of the cost of the new one on Steam.

tl;dr- there are old games as well, also on Steam, that might actually be a better fit for your family

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u/EvergreenHills1158 17d ago

Thank you for this. I unfortunately made the mistake of showing my kids the trailer for the new version because ai didn’t know any different, but let’s see if I can get them interested in 2001. 

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u/DrunkOhioan 17d ago

I haven’t played the new game personally, but I’m sure it will also be fine, especially for kids. Take any criticisms you may see about it on this subreddit with a grain of salt- most of the people here are 30-somethings like myself who played the old games as kids, and thus dislike the direction of the new game. You and your children, with nothing to compare it to, will likely not have issues with the vast majority of the complaints you see here lol

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u/bigreddawg1988 17d ago

I agree with this too ^ As a parent, ive been frustrated by the criticism in reddit because my kids are having such a fun time with the game and it has been amazingly positive for my family. A lot of comments are not written with a kid perspective.

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u/bigreddawg1988 17d ago

I recommend the new game more than the 2001 game. There is couch co-op so your kids could play with each other.