If you grew up in the early 2000s, this one’s going to hit you right in the nostalgia. Two fan-favorite titles from the Backyard Sports series, Backyard Basketball ’01 and Backyard Hockey ’02, have just launched on Steam, and both are completely free to play.
Within hours of the surprise announcement that these games would be free, players were sharing screenshots and clips on social media, celebrating the return of icons like Pablo Sanchez — the ultimate all-rounder in the Backyard universe.
For many, the series is a joyful throwback to simpler gaming days when the biggest decision was whether to pick Kenny Kawaguchi or Pete Wheeler for your team.
The Return of A Childhood Sports Franchise
The Backyard Sports franchise was a core part of the early 2000s PC gaming. Originally developed by Humongous Entertainment, the series mixed charming cartoon characters and easy-to-play mechanics. The franchise covered most major sports, including baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and soccer.
Many Backyard Sports games have been slowly ported to the new-gen hardware and are available on Steam. Backyard Basketball ’01 and Backyard Hockey ’02 are the latest to join, and they are completely free-to-play.
Players can draft their dream team, compete in arcade-style matches, and enjoy the colorful yet fast-paced gameplay that the franchise is known for. Despite being more than 2 decades old, the simple mechanics, retro upbeat music, and a cast of fun characters make the game hold up even today.
The games may not boast cutting-edge graphics or online leagues, but that’s part of their appeal. Backyard Sports games were never about photo realism or simulation gameplay. It’s about offering a fun, casual, and exciting way to enjoy sports games. And honestly, it all holds up quite well.
With these two titles now available for free, Backyard Sports fans old and new have the perfect excuse to grab a controller and relive some playground glory. If you end up liking the games, consider trying out the others from the series. They require purchasing, but they are quite cheap, and for a franchise this old and beloved, it’s worth spending a couple of bucks.
