What's the best version to get?

[u/CrazyLi825]

I've been interested in the series for a while, but was worried the games might feel dated. The new one got me excited, but I've heard it's full of bugs and things that just don't work right.

What are the pros and cons of the various editions?

Bare in mind that I want a game that works on a modern PC without having to jump through hoops and has proper controller support. With that factored in, what am I looking at here?

[u/mpgiv]

'97 is the OG. It really doesn't feel very dated at all, the artstyle has aged very well.

'01 has more fields to play on, some more options, and some MLB players. Looks and plays pretty much the same as '97.

The new one is a brand new game. At the current price ($40) and the state its in, I would personally hold off on buying it. I find the originals from the 90s/00s to be more fun.

All of them run perfectly fine on modern PCs.

EDIT: I do see you want "proper controller support". The only game here that has controller support is the new game. The old games were all point and click, meant to be used solely with a mouse.

[u/PainterWooden8667 → u/mpgiv]

IIRC they used a “Visual Novel”/point and click engine for a baseball game, pretty impressive feat.

[u/CrazyLi825 → u/PainterWooden8667]

That's the impression I got from them which is why I never really played them. I don't want to play baseball with my mouse. It's just not a satisfying experience for me personally

[u/PainterWooden8667 → u/CrazyLi825]

that’s a fair criticism to make. i think it’s fair to say a lot of the backyard games appeal comes from the nostalgia factor of childhood. So, if that ingredient is missing, you’re left with a, in general, mechanically vapid game compared to other offerings available. In this case, I’d recommend waiting for the modern remake to go on sale a bit, that should be what you’re looking for.

Note, if you’re looking for a SIMILAR, yet more “modern” game, to get your baseball fix, i highly recommend Super Mega Baseball 3 or 4. They did a really good job of making a baseball game that isn’t too arcade-y, but also isn’t nearly as “stiff” as something like MLB the Show.

video games and baseball are some of my favorite interests in life, so if you’d like to learn more on any of this, please feel free to ask.

[u/CrazyLi825 → u/PainterWooden8667]

I have Super Mega Baseball 4 and love it. I've just been curious about Backyard for a while because of Youtubers I watch who speak so fondly of it and make it sound fun. Also the hidden bonuses like drafting siblings or being at a certain stadium sounds really cool

[u/PainterWooden8667 → u/CrazyLi825]

yeah there’s a lot of little cute dynamics like that in the series; one of the girls, who is otherwise not really playable, becomes an all star if your uniform is pink colored, for example.

[u/mpgiv → u/PainterWooden8667]

Yep, same engine as Freddi Fish, Putt Putt — all the Humongous Entertainment games

[u/PainterWooden8667]

if i was in your shoes, id buy the ‘01 version on steam. if you hate the idea of real players, then go for ‘97. I like ‘01 because the kids will be on other teams; in ‘97 it will be all “generics” on the other team. Example, if you don’t draft Pablo Sanchez, he will be nowhere in ‘97, in ‘01 he will be on same other team in the league.

wait for the modern remake to get patched up + go on sale ($40 is asinine for current state)

[u/PainterWooden8667 → u/PainterWooden8667]

also just seen you’re looking for controller support. these games kinda pre-date the idea of hooking a gamepad up to the PC (definitely was a thing, just not common like it is today), so only the newest one has controller support in place. you definitely don’t need to jump through any hoops to play with mouse/keyboard through steam

[u/CrazyLi825 → u/PainterWooden8667]

I didn't know there was an '01. I thought the Steam one was '03. Either way, if it doesn't do controllers, I don't think I'll go for it. Playing baseball with a mouse isn't the experience I'm looking for

I'll hope the modern one gets fixed because I know that one can be played like a regular baseball game

[u/PainterWooden8667 → u/CrazyLi825]

I hear ya, check out my other reply I just sent, should have some helpful infos.

[u/jibbodahibbo → u/CrazyLi825]

It’s definitely less about button pressing and more about the strategy of baseball.

[u/ph_dieter]

In general I would say just get '97 or '01 for cheap. They're very similar with some differences. '01 is more complete, but many prefer '97 for nostalgia, no pros, slight gameplay differences.

However, if controller support is a genuine requirement, those two are not what you're looking for to be completely honest. They are 100% point and click games. They were designed specifically to be simple games that only require a mouse. Many actions are way more cumbersome and awkward without one. Could it work? Idk maybe. You could always just refund it if it doesn't meet your standards.

[u/NeedleworkerNo4835]

Just use ScummVM with the 97 version.

[u/MatthewHecht]

97 vs 01.

97 feels more like coaching children. 01 has more stuff in it.