- Backyard Football 2010 Wii
- Backyard Baseball 2010 Wii
- Backyard Football Wii Review Games
- Backyard Football Pc
- Jun 05, 2016 Backyard Football (GameCube) Gameplay Mr. If you ever read my MobyGames review series on these games, you know I don't.
- Backyard Football is a high quality game that works in all major modern web browsers. This online game is part of the Arcade, Sports, Emulator, and GBA gaming categories. Backyard Football has 145 likes from 165 user ratings. If you enjoy this game then also play games Backyard Baseball and Backyard Football.
May 04, 2012 doing this since they have just released their seventh Backyard Football game. And Backyard Football ’09 for the Wii doesn’t try to deviate from the formula which has helped it to gain a. Jan 08, 2008 Backyard Football, for its ambition to be the middle-ground, less complicated football option on Wii, ends up being just slightly less so than a full-on sim like Madden NFL 08.
Submitted on: Dec 11, 2009 by Caley Roark
This holiday season, kids in your family will undoubtedly ask for games as gifts. Some extremely gifted kids who are 'with it' may even ask for sports games.
However, it’s a dangerous world out there for gift-buying parents and grandparents. Beyond the “pre-order” intimidation tactics and strategy guide rip-offs, astute consumers need to watch out for budget titles: those games which look attractive, but in reality will most likely become eggnog coasters.
Two recent sports games fall into the budget category, but have decidedly different approaches with the way they function, look, and treat kids: Backyard Football 10 and Academy of Champions: Soccer.
Each game features real life sports stars, arcade action, and a pricetag of around $30 for Wii owners. Beyond these three main similarities, both games are worlds apart.
First up, a review of Backyard Football 2010:
Seasons change...
Over the summer, I reviewed Backyard Baseball 10, a game which I ripped for being a shadow of its former self. The clunky 3D graphics seemed to strip the charm away from a once beloved series.
I also didn’t like the way that it viewed children’s intelligence. The “draft” is simply “pick your favorite players;” in other words, no forethought is needed. The actual game was stripped down to its most basic element. And in a moment that probably best sums up the complete lack of polish, it was all started with an out of date intro video.
...but Some Games Don't
Besides a 2008 David Ortiz video, all of these criticisms apply to Backyard Football as well. When creating a team, users are able to just pick who they want. The CPU will just draft the leftovers.
The football is at its most “arcade-y” here as well, with only a handful of plays to choose from. There’s no play creator, no audibles, no hot routes. I get the feeling that the producers of these games have such a low opinion of kids intellect that they say “eh...kids won’t understand those things, leave ‘em out.”
This puts this game in an awkward spot. Sure it features young versions of NFL stars and a season mode. But if a child is savvy enough to want those things (ooh look, Tom Brady!), wouldn’t it be better just to buy them Madden? Madden has taken steps to make itself very accessible. Plus, you’ll be getting -- or giving -- better graphics, more modes, more NFL players, etc.
On a tangent, think about the other complex and detailed games children play. From things like Pokeman to Zelda, kids have always embraced the challenge of learning something new through video games. That’s part of the fun which Backyard Football 2010 seems to forget.
The graphics leave a bit to be desired, even on the Wii.
It's Not all Bad
There are some positives if you look hard enough. Like Backyard Baseball, there is some line-up management that has to be accounted for. Players play both ways, so you need to be somewhat conscious of that when picking teams. Still, the computer will create the optimal lineup as a default, so tinkering isn’t usually necessary. Of course, if you choose a stacked team, it’s not really that big of deal.
I also like that ratings are clearly in play. My speedy receiver with poor hands really couldn’t catch, regardless of how open he was. He occasionally got lucky. As frustrating as this sounds, it seemed realistic for a game featuring kids. It reminded me of the character Luis Mendoza from the Mighty Ducks films that could skate very fast, but he had trouble stopping.
While the graphics aren’t great, the fields are cleverly themed. Of course, football fields are just about the same, so the theme doesn’t affect play as much as it does in a baseball game. There is a good sense of depth, especially when throwing deep passes.
The game controls are a bit floaty, almost as if the players are on ice. The controls aren't horrible, but they certainly don't measure up to other football games.
Despite all of the flaws, there is some fun buried in Backyard Football 2010. Some of my games were close, and it was fun to see the stars playing other positions. I’m sure with a child playing in the mix, there is potential for some family bonding.
Wide Right
Overall, the concept for the Backyard games remains valid. Make a game for kids, featuring kids (of all types), sprinkled with kid-ified stars.
But the execution is flawed. The game lacks charm, and underestimates its audience.
Bottom-line, if the children in your family are old enough to play video games and if they really want a football game, shell out the extra money for Madden. Another better option would be to get Madden NFL Arcade if you have a 360 or PS3 laying around the house as well. Either way, I think they’ll thank you in the long run.
On the Field: Floaty Arcade football with crazy power-ups, little NFL stars, and kids. About what you’d expect.
Graphics: Not good, even by Wii standards. I think Turbo actually just doubles the standard run animation speed.
Sound: Commentary gets extremely repetitive. Commentary gets extremely repetitive.
Entertainment Value: Season mode and unlockables are what will keep you coming back.
Learning Curve: This is a game geared toward children, so it makes sense that it’s pretty easy to pick up and play.
Online Play: None
Score: 5 (Subpar)
There are some positives if you look hard enough. Like Backyard Baseball, there is some line-up management that has to be accounted for. Players play both ways, so you need to be somewhat conscious of that when picking teams. Still, the computer will create the optimal lineup as a default, so tinkering isn’t usually necessary. Of course, if you choose a stacked team, it’s not really that big of deal.
I also like that ratings are clearly in play. My speedy receiver with poor hands really couldn’t catch, regardless of how open he was. He occasionally got lucky. As frustrating as this sounds, it seemed realistic for a game featuring kids. It reminded me of the character Luis Mendoza from the Mighty Ducks films that could skate very fast, but he had trouble stopping.
While the graphics aren’t great, the fields are cleverly themed. Of course, football fields are just about the same, so the theme doesn’t affect play as much as it does in a baseball game. There is a good sense of depth, especially when throwing deep passes.
The game controls are a bit floaty, almost as if the players are on ice. The controls aren't horrible, but they certainly don't measure up to other football games.
Despite all of the flaws, there is some fun buried in Backyard Football 2010. Some of my games were close, and it was fun to see the stars playing other positions. I’m sure with a child playing in the mix, there is potential for some family bonding.
Wide Right
Overall, the concept for the Backyard games remains valid. Make a game for kids, featuring kids (of all types), sprinkled with kid-ified stars.
But the execution is flawed. The game lacks charm, and underestimates its audience.
Bottom-line, if the children in your family are old enough to play video games and if they really want a football game, shell out the extra money for Madden. Another better option would be to get Madden NFL Arcade if you have a 360 or PS3 laying around the house as well. Either way, I think they’ll thank you in the long run.
On the Field: Floaty Arcade football with crazy power-ups, little NFL stars, and kids. About what you’d expect.
Graphics: Not good, even by Wii standards. I think Turbo actually just doubles the standard run animation speed.
Sound: Commentary gets extremely repetitive. Commentary gets extremely repetitive.
Entertainment Value: Season mode and unlockables are what will keep you coming back.
Learning Curve: This is a game geared toward children, so it makes sense that it’s pretty easy to pick up and play.
Online Play: None
Score: 5 (Subpar)
Ratings clearly affect gameplay.
Repetitive gameplay and commentary.
out of 10
# 1Stroehms @ 12/12/09 04:11 AM
'Commentary gets extremely repetitive. Commentary gets extremely repetitive.'
Lmao. Good review. I used to play these games when I was a young lad on the PC. Sad to see these games fail with the edition of 3D graphics.
Lmao. Good review. I used to play these games when I was a young lad on the PC. Sad to see these games fail with the edition of 3D graphics.
# 2jyoung @ 12/12/09 02:20 PM
It's because the game is a 'non-competing' product made for kids.
# 3ak1knight @ 12/12/09 03:26 PM
# 4jyoung @ 12/12/09 03:33 PM
# 5mactraxx @ 12/13/09 11:14 PM
Backyard Football 2010 Wii
Its not a sim game but more arcade (I.E. The Bigs for Playstation) and to answer the next question...yes 2K could put out and NFL game similar to Madden Arcade but who would buy it...lol...at full price or even half.
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Submitted on: Jun 28, 2010 by Caley Roark
There are plenty of baseball games on the Wii, but the console has really only produced two quality titles: Wii Sports Baseball and MLB Power Pros. All of the other Wii baseball games, even those in the 'sim' category, have ranged from disappointing to nearly unplayable.
The Backyard Baseball series is just one of many that has failed to impress on the Wii. There was a time when the Backyard Baseball games, mostly on the PC/Mac, were charming and stylistic, capturing baseball at a basic level while incorporating real-life pros as kids. This concept, along with a diverse group of original kid 'characters,' made Backyard Baseball incredibly appealing for adults and children alike. However, this game did not transition well to the current generation of consoles because clunky gameplay and basic 3-D graphics stripped the series of its charm and luster.
This year's version, Backyard Sports Sandlot Sluggers, takes a different approach. Nevertheless, it fits right in with the more recent versions of the Backyard sports games and Wii baseball titles: plenty of potential, lackluster graphics and terrible controls. In all, not much fun.
The Backyard Baseball series is just one of many that has failed to impress on the Wii. There was a time when the Backyard Baseball games, mostly on the PC/Mac, were charming and stylistic, capturing baseball at a basic level while incorporating real-life pros as kids. This concept, along with a diverse group of original kid 'characters,' made Backyard Baseball incredibly appealing for adults and children alike. However, this game did not transition well to the current generation of consoles because clunky gameplay and basic 3-D graphics stripped the series of its charm and luster.
This year's version, Backyard Sports Sandlot Sluggers, takes a different approach. Nevertheless, it fits right in with the more recent versions of the Backyard sports games and Wii baseball titles: plenty of potential, lackluster graphics and terrible controls. In all, not much fun.
New Directions
First things first, the young MLB stars have been removed from the game -- this was probably my favorite part about previous games in the series. This is not detrimental to the gameplay, but it certainly does eliminate a good deal of fun and character from the experience. Beyond the typical Backyard personalities, you will now get random and generic kids.
Speaking of these personalities (like Pablo Sanchez), they are back, but they have kind of grown up. In fact, the whole game features a design that is less cartoon-like than in past editions. For example, the original characters no longer look like cute elementary kids. Instead, they look like tweens who have been freshly plucked from the Disney channel. I am guessing that this was a marketing-driven decision, but it is one with little consequence. The original charm of this series has been rapidly declining over the past few years. So, it seems like the developers of the game have acknowledged this by taking a much different direction.
Modes and Means
The game features four main modes: Pick-up, Season, Story and Multiplayer. Pick-up is essentially the exhibition game mode, but it is confusingly missing a true 'pick-up' feature -- the teams are premade, with each featuring one of the Backyard characters. Season mode has also done away with the standard create-a-team aspect that used to be a staple of the series.
Story mode is interesting. It is sort of a career mode that is based on a story involving a bully and playing baseball the 'right way.' There are cut scenes, but they are poorly animated and very low-res. The mode is narrated by two 'old-timers,' which gives it a quirky, but pleasant atmosphere. Ironically, the story also paints playing video games in a negative light.
This mode has the potential to be fun because you play the other teams while teaching those bullies a lesson. It is a watered-down career mode that we have seen a thousand times by now, but it is a welcome change and a long-overdue addition to the Backyard series.
Self-Control Issues
Each of the modes is hampered by maddening controls. The control layouts are not the worst in the business, and in most cases, they make a fair amount of sense. The problem is the responsiveness of the controls.
Each phase of the game, but especially fielding and hitting, seems to play slightly behind the actual controls. In other words, you are forced to swing early on every pitch, which results in a ton of strikeouts or weakly hit balls until you master the timing intricacies. This was frustrating to me as an adult, so I can only imagine the reactions of the game's intended audience. Who knows, maybe kids adjust better than me.
Throwing is equally painful, with timing being critical to defensive actions like turning double plays. I thought the problem might be the controller, but even using the horizontal, two-button approach did not make the game feel any more natural. While MotionPlus is supported, it is not apparent.
The more I played, however, the more I was able to get the results I wanted. Still, the game is not intuitive. Add on the crazy boosts, and you have a very quirky game of baseball.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this game is a good example of one that took one step forward, one step back and one step sideways. This game is superior to last year's versions in both visuals and modes. It drops creative options (like create-a-team) and 'little pros.' And the new atmosphere and look of the characters does little to bring back the charm of Backyard's past.
Throughout all of this stepping, the game fails to break into that small but elite tier of Wii baseball games.
On the Diamond: What I said for Backyard Baseball '10 applies here, word for word: 'Plays a functional game of baseball, but not a very enjoyable one. Wii motion controls aren’t horrible, but not as smooth or solid as other options. There are some fun fields/stadiums to play in.'
Graphics: The game looks much better than past versions, but we are still dealing with basic and low-res textures. The fields are as imaginative as ever, and while the player models are an abrupt change, they work.
Sound Design: Repetitive commentary that is not quite as annoying as it could be.
Entertainment Value: There are a good deal of modes to explore, including your standard Wii party games. None of them are standouts, but if they are taken as a whole, they create a nice package for a game that retails for less than $50.
Learning Curve: Not much of a learning curve except for the funky timing issues. Everything is nicely explained on-screen.
Online: None.
Score: 5.5 (Slightly Above Average)
Improved graphics.
Quirky timing.
out of 10
# 1smlmeyer @ 06/28/10 04:04 PM
That's 5.5 out of 5 right? I mean, this is the best baseball sim since Slugfest.
Backyard Baseball 2010 Wii
# 2krazzed @ 07/03/10 10:28 PM
# 3smlmeyer @ 07/05/10 05:16 AM
# 4JkA3 @ 07/06/10 07:03 PM
Backyard Football Wii Review Games
I wish this one was better...i wanted to get it for my son.
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