Backyard Soccer
Children's soccer game, second in the Backyard Sports series.
Backyard Soccer is a soccer video game aimed at children, developed and published by Humongous Entertainment. The PlayStation version was handled by Infogrames. It marked the second release in the Backyard Sports franchise, arriving after Backyard Baseball, and served as the first title in the Backyard Soccer series. The game initially launched for Macintosh and Windows on October 13, 1998, followed by a PlayStation port in 2001 and an iOS version in 2008. A remaster called Backyard Soccer '98 came out for Windows on Steam on November 27, 2024.
- Developer
- Humongous Entertainment
- Publisher
- Humongous Entertainment (PC); Infogrames (PlayStation)
- Release Date
- October 13, 1998 (PC/Mac); 2001 (PlayStation); 2008 (iOS); November 27, 2024 (remaster)
- Platforms
- Macintosh, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, iOS, Steam (remaster)
- Genre
- Children's association football video game
- Series
- Backyard Sports series
Lore & Background
Backyard Soccer is a 6-a-side soccer video game with hybrid youth and professional soccer rules. It features five modes: Pick-Up Game, Friendly Match, Practice Penalty Kicks, Spectator, and League Play. The PlayStation version adds Mini-League and Beach Tournament modes. In league play, the player selects 8 players from a pool of 30 Backyard Kids and manages the team through divisions, aiming for promotion from B Division to A and then Premier Division. A top-four mid-season finish invites the team to the Off-The-Wall Indoor Invitational. Winning the Premier Division leads to the Astonishingly Shiny Cup of All Cups Tournament, a spoof of the FIFA World Cup.
Reader's Guide
Backyard Soccer holds significance as the second title in the Backyard Sports franchise and the first soccer entry, expanding the series beyond baseball. It introduced a simplified, child-friendly soccer experience with league progression and a parody World Cup. The game received moderate reviews; critics noted hard-to-use controls on PC and long loading times, while graphics were praised across platforms. PSX Nation gave the PlayStation version a score of 49 out of 100. The 2024 remaster, Backyard Soccer '98, received positive reviews for retaining original features and adding achievements, though some noted a lack of tutorial for newcomers. The game's sequels, Backyard Soccer MLS Edition (2000) and Backyard Soccer 2004 (2003), included players from Major League Soccer and the USWNT. The PC and PlayStation versions, alongside the PlayStation 2 version of Backyard Basketball, were the only Backyard Sports titles released in Europe.
Did You Know?
- Backyard Soccer is known in Europe as Backyard Football (PC) or Junior Sports Football (PlayStation) and in Australia as Junior Sports Soccer.
- The game's league play includes a spoof of the FIFA World Cup called the Astonishingly Shiny Cup of All Cups Tournament.
- A remastered version, Backyard Soccer '98, was released on Steam on November 27, 2024, and a mobile port followed on November 13, 2025.
- The PC and PlayStation versions of Backyard Soccer were among only three Backyard Sports titles released in Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Backyard Soccer?
Backyard Soccer is a children's association football video game made by Humongous Entertainment. It is the second title in the Backyard Sports franchise (following Backyard Baseball) and the first game in its own soccer sub-series.
When was Backyard Soccer released and on what platforms?
The original PC and Mac version shipped on October 13, 1998, with a PlayStation port in 2001 and an iOS port in 2008. A remaster called Backyard Soccer '98 later arrived on Steam for Windows in November 2024.
Who developed and published Backyard Soccer?
Humongous Entertainment handled both development and publishing for the PC and Mac releases. Infogrames took on the PlayStation port, while the 2008 iOS and 2024 Steam remaster versions returned to Humongous Entertainment's catalog.
What genre and audience is Backyard Soccer aimed at?
It is a casual, kid-friendly soccer game designed for young players. The gameplay mirrors the lighthearted, accessible style established across the broader Backyard Sports lineup.
Is Backyard Soccer still available to play today?
Yes, a remaster titled Backyard Soccer '98 launched on Steam for Windows on November 27, 2024, letting new players experience the 1998 original on modern hardware.
More in Humongous Entertainment games 1-24
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