Backyard Baseball ’01 Returns This July on Steam and Mobile

Backyard Baseball ’01 is getting a full re-release, and it's hitting Steam and mobile devices on July 8. The remake comes from Mega Cat Studios in collaboration with Playground Productions, which now owns the rights to the classic Backyard Sports franchise. The game brings back 28 of the original 31 MLB pros featured in the 2001 version, including fan favorites like Derek Jeter, Sammy Sosa, Alex Rodriguez, Cal Ripken Jr., and Mark McGwire.

This isn’t just a quick port. According to Playground Productions, the game has been adapted with modern PC controls and touch support, keeping the original gameplay feel while making it easier to enjoy on today’s devices. It will also feature official MLB licensing, including team logos, names, and player likenesses.

The re-release follows a series of throwback launches by Mega Cat Studios and Playground Productions, who have already put Backyard Soccer ’98 and Backyard Baseball ’97 back into circulation. Those games saw solid success on both Steam and mobile, and Backyard Baseball ’97 even expanded to Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 this summer.

Now, Backyard Baseball ’01 is up next, and it’s arriving with the most complete package so far. Playground Productions CEO Lindsay Barnett shared more about the work involved in bringing the game back. The studio had to reacquire all of the individual player rights from the 2001 version—31 professional MLB stars in total. She also highlighted how supportive the MLB has been during the process.

“It’s really exciting, because we had to go through the process of regaining all of the original rights from the game,” Barnett said. “And so that was the MLB, and then there were 31 professional players, All Stars from that era of baseball. And the MLB has been so incredibly supportive of this game, and also of just this partnership, which has been really an exciting thing for us.”

Barnett also talked about her personal connection to the game, recalling how playing the 2001 version as a kid made her a lifelong Cubs fan. That’s part of the goal behind this revival—making the same kind of impact for a new generation, while giving longtime fans a way to relive one of the most memorable sports games of the early 2000s.

The re-release comes at a time when more studios are recognizing the lasting value of retro sports games. While modern titles push realism and simulation, games like Backyard Baseball thrived on personality. The mix of real MLB stars and animated neighborhood kids created something unique and full of charm. The 2001 edition is often remembered as the high point of the series, thanks to its full MLB support and its playable lineup of pro athletes reimagined as children.

That mix of childhood nostalgia and real-world fandom is a big reason the game has held on for so long in people’s memories. Jamie Leece, MLB’s senior VP of gaming and virtual reality, spoke about the game’s legacy and its new chapter.

“Backyard Baseball stands out with a special place in so many fans’ memories thanks to its endearing qualities and features that were especially rare for a video game of its time,” Leece said. “We are really excited to play a small part in authenticating this revitalization with MLB marks and look forward to the full circle moment where those who played this beloved game as children can bring it to a new generation in their families and friends.”

This isn’t the end of the road, either. Playground Productions and Mega Cat Studios are already working on a next-gen Backyard Sports game. While Barnett hasn’t confirmed if that project will focus on baseball or include multiple sports, the team clearly sees this as a bigger return for the brand, not just a one-time revival.

“Well, we haven’t announced anything about what sport our new title is, or if there are multiple sports, or anything of that nature, so you’ll just have to wait and see,” Barnett said.

For now, fans won’t have to wait long to play Backyard Baseball ’01 again. The game lands on July 8, just in time for summer break and the MLB All-Star season. Whether you played it back in the day or never touched it before, the return of this arcade-style baseball favorite is shaping up to be one of the year’s feel-good re-releases.