Backyard Baseball ’10

I got this game for Father’s Day and with this being All-Star Day, it seems like a perfect time for a review.

I’ve been playing video baseball games since my handheld LCD game back in the 70s.  I love the game and I love the games.

I’ve played iterations of the EA baseball game across several platforms and while I love the idea of dynasty mode I seldom make it past the second season.  I just don’t have that kind of free time any more.

That brings us to Backyard Baseball ’10.

This is the perfect jumping on point for young gamers and an easy way for a vintage gamer like myself to knock out a few innings without having to worry about a farm system.

The game play is very straight forward.  You can play single games, tournaments or seasons.  The season is 16 games.  Not a huge commitment of time.

I’m in the second round of the playoffs with my team and, on easy mode, I knocked out half a season in a couple of hours the other night.

The kids love the big chunky graphics.  They also think the powerups are pretty cool (who wouldn’t like a ball that electrocutes whoever picks it up).  The graphics aren’t cutting edge, but in a game like this they don’t have to be.

There are loads of “real” major leaguers in the game.  Some are available from the outset.  Some are unlocked for achieving certain in-game milestones.

My kids, for some reason, have a real aversion to Matt Holliday.

There is a player creator.  It’s limited, but in the right frame of mind it can be a lot of fun.

Witness…

You're f**king out!

That’s right, I made Kenny Powers.  How could I not?  Mullet was a hair option.

This game is not for the hardcore gamer, but if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to play some video baseball you could do much worse.