Backyard Soccer '98

Backyard Soccer '98

Released Nov 2024

Return to the soccer field with your favorite Backyard athletes! The original Backyard Soccer 1998 is back and now enhanced to run on Steam. Build your roster from among the iconic Backyard Kids. Kick, pass, and score in this classic game that made soccer fun for everyone!

97% positive · 216 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence

Where to buy

Steam $9.99
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Evaluation

Backyard Soccer '98 launched on November 27, 2024 as a modernized re-release of the classic 1998 title. The developer shipped a bug-fix patch (v1.0.2) on December 2, 2024, addressing achievement issues and display bugs. That is the last update directly related to this game. The developer's subsequent news posts on this game's Steam page are entirely focused on other titles in the Backyard Sports franchise — Backyard Baseball 2001 (launched July 8, 2025), Backyard Football '99 (launched September 10, 2025), Backyard Basketball '01 and Backyard Hockey '02 (launched November 13, 2025 as free-to-play titles), and the upcoming all-new Backyard Baseball (announced February 26, 2026, with a demo released April 9, 2026). These posts are cross-promotional announcements, not updates to Backyard Soccer '98 itself. There is no announced DLC, expansion, or additional content for Backyard Soccer '98. The store description presents the game as a complete re-release of the original with a defined, fixed feature set. No roadmap or future content has been communicated. The game launched as a finished product — a faithful re-release — and the one post-launch patch addressed legacy technical issues. Development on this specific title appears complete.
Evidence
Backyard Soccer '98 announced for November 27, 2024 launch as a re-release of the classic original title with modernized compatibility.
news post · Nov 25, 2024 source content shipped
high
v1.0.2 patch released fixing Steam achievements and display issues. Developer noted some legacy bugs from the original remain beyond their control due to lack of original source code. This is the last update to the game itself.
news post · Dec 2, 2024 source content shipped
medium

Media

Details

Publisher
Playground Productions
Achievements
24
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player

About this game

KICK BACK INTO ACTION

Jump back onto the field with the 2nd game from the Backyard Sports Franchise, Backyard Soccer ‘98, now enhanced to run on modern systems. Coach your favorite Backyard athletes to the championship, play a pick-up-game on your favorite field, and listen to classic commentators Sunny Day and Earl Grey.

Backyard Soccer ‘98 captures the playful spirit of youth soccer. Play 6-on-6 soccer with point-and-click controls for passing, defending and scoring! Start a pick-up game for instant play or create a coach for League Play. In League Play, select 8 kids of your choice and work your way to the top of each division. If you play well enough to qualify, you’ll compete in the “Astonishingly Shiny Cup of All Cups Tournament” against kids from all over the world!

SOCCER FOR EVERYONE

Play soccer like you did with friends in your neighborhood!

  • 30 Iconic Kid Athletes

  • 20 Unique Soccer Fields

  • Intense tie-breaking shoot-outs 

  • Comical Power-ups

  • Hilarious Bloopers

  • Lively commentary from Sunny Day and Earl Grey

  • Multiple Divisions and Tournaments

To kick things off, choose a player and face Mr. Clanky for some penalty kick practice. This is where you can practice this crucial game deciding skill.

THE LEGEND CONTINUES

Backyard Soccer featured arguably the most iconic video game athlete of the 90s or any era - Pablo Sanchez. Play with the legend himself or choose your favorites and relive what made Backyard Soccer 1998 a cult classic. 

Game Modes include:

  • Pick-up Game: Instant play! The computer chooses a random team for you and itself and the game starts immediately.

  • Friendly Match: Build a roster to play a single game against another computer controlled team in your division.

  • Spectator: Sit back and watch two teams of Backyard kids face off against each other in what is sure to be an exciting game of soccer.

  • Penalty Kicks: Practice shooting and defending penalty kicks against Mr. Clanky. 

  • League Play: Pick your team name, uniform colors, and players to compete in the Backyard Soccer League. Manage the team through a soccer season. The opposing teams are computer generated. If your team is in the top four by mid-season in any division, you’ll score an invite to the Off-The-Wall Indoor Invitational. If you finish a season as a top two team, you’ll move up to a stronger division. After winning the Premier Division, you’ll compete in the Astonishingly Shiny Cup of All Cups Tournament!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

At our core, we are fans first – not just of video games, but of the Backyard Sports franchise. Fans have asked for accessible and legal ways to play their original Backyard titles for years, and we are excited to deliver.

Without having access to the source code, there are hard limitations on the experience we can create. As an example, we can’t use the original 32bit code to support modern macOS, as even with an incredibly clever wrapper, macOS can’t execute the binaries.

Backyard Soccer ‘98 runs well, looks better than ever, is stacked with Steam achievements to test your mettle, and creates a new installation for digital preservation within the Backyard Sports catalog that allows the next generation of fans to fall in love with the game.

Last evaluated Jun 19, 2026
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