Backyard Baseball TV Commercial for PlayStation 2 - PS2 - 2004

Описание: Backyard Baseball (PlayStation 2, 2004)Release Dates and Regional Names:

North America: March 22, 2004 – Backyard Baseball
Europe: Not released
Australia: Not released
Japan: Not released

Manufacturer: Sony (PlayStation 2 hardware)
Publisher: Atari, Inc.
Developer: Humongous Entertainment
Type: Sports Simulation (Baseball)
Media: PlayStation 2 CD-ROM (~1.2 GB)
Controller: PlayStation 2 Controller Gameplay and Plot:
Backyard Baseball for PS2 is a kid-friendly baseball simulation, part of the Backyard Sports series, featuring a mix of 30 fictional neighborhood kids and child versions of 28 MLB stars from the 2003 season (e.g., Barry Bonds, Randy Johnson). There’s no narrative; the focus is on building a team and playing baseball. Players create a team, customize uniforms and names, and compete in single games or a 14-game season with playoffs (Super Entire Nation Tournament and Ultra Grand Championship). Gameplay includes pitching, batting, and fielding with power-ups like “Super Catch” or “Ice Cream Truck” (distracting opponents), controlled via intuitive inputs. Modes include Quick Play, Single Game, and Season, with no online multiplayer. Graphics are 3D (~30 FPS, 480i), with colorful backyards and animated player models.Key Features:30 kids and 28 MLB stars as kids
Single Game and 14-game Season modes
Power-ups for strategic play
Customizable teams and uniforms
Single-player focus
Colorful 3D backyard settings

Game Length:Main gameplay: ~5–8 hours
Completionist (full season, stats): ~10–15 hours

Sales Numbers:
Exact figures unavailable; sold modestly, appealing to a niche audience.Technical Specifications:Media: PS2 CD-ROM (~1.2 GB)
Resolution: 480i
Frame Rate: ~30 FPS
Save System: Memory Card (~50 KB)
Audio: Stereo, upbeat soundtrack
System Requirements: PlayStation 2

Back of the Box Description (North America):
“Step up to bat with Backyard Baseball on PS2! Build your dream team with 30 kids and 28 MLB stars, hit the field with power-ups, and win the championship. Fun for all ages!”Additional Details:Mechanics: Simplified baseball simulation with power-ups.
Multiplayer: None.
Difficulty: Easy, ages 6+ (E10+ rating).
Development: ~1–2 years by Humongous Entertainment.
Localization: English only.
Regional Differences: North America exclusive.
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+).

Technical Notes:Load Times: ~5–10 sec.
Playable on: PS2, PS3 (backward compatible), emulators.
Bugs: Rare control lag, occasional freeze.
Trophies: None; unlocks stats and teams.
Changes from Concept: Adapted from PC versions with 3D graphics.

Historical Context:
Released on March 22, 2004, Backyard Baseball brought the beloved PC series to PS2, leveraging MLB licensing and child-friendly mechanics. It received mixed reviews for fun but dated visuals and lack of depth (e.g., IGN 6.5/10), selling modestly before the franchise’s hiatus post-2010. A remastered Backyard Baseball '97 is available on PS5 as of 2025, but the PS2 version remains a nostalgic item, found on eBay or retro retailers.Did You Know?Pablo Sanchez is a fan-favorite character.
Power-ups like “Ice Cream Truck” add quirky fun.
It was the only PS2 entry in the series.
The game reflects 2003 MLB rosters.
Re-releases have sparked renewed interest.