Rating: 
Summary: Backyard Football On Your PC...But No Calories Burned...
Review: (...) Background
Backyard Football is one of a series of sports games for your personal computer. Other titles include Soccer and Baseball. These games are targeted for younger players, and are therefore, fairly simple to operate. This particular game is advertised for children between the ages of 5 and 10. However, I enjoy playing this game myself, and I am a little bit older than 10. Directions
The game loads automatically when inserted into the CD-ROM drive. The version I purchased did not come with instructions, but I found that I didn't need them. The game is set up in an easy to understand format, that is extremely user friendly. The options allow the user to change the settings on the game, and includes an option to switch from mouse to gamepad. However, I kept the setting on mouse, and found that it was extremely easy to use in that mode. The game begins in the "Clubhouse" and allows a "menu" of options that are depicted with corresponding pictures. To draft a team, you click on the picture of a clipboard. To check out the playing fields, you click on a pair of binoculars. To begin, you click "play football." You can choose between single games, playoff games, and full season. Gameplay
The gameplay is extremely easy. The point and click ease of your mouse makes the controls very simple. After picking a team, you can begin playing a season against division rivals. Each game rotates between a variety of fields and weather conditions (which can be turned off in the settings). The games consists of four quarters, which last one minute each. You take turns running the offense and defense. The objective, like real football, is to score points, while preventing your opponent from scoring more. For more advanced players, you can custom design your own plays, and add them to your playbook. When you are on offense, you are able to pick a play from the playbook that you think will outwit your opponents defense. The quarterback gets the ball by clicking the mouse. Then the cursor is moved to the place you want to throw the ball, and an additional click makes the quarterback throw. It is a good idea to throw to an open receiver, because there are plenty of interceptions in this game. Graphics
I was surprised at how good the graphics on this game are. They are not advanced like the graphics you see on the adult sports games, but they have a great deal of detail. The players on the bench fidget and play during team selection, and the gameplay moves smoothly. The cartoon feel of the game makes it feel like you are creating your own cartoon version of a football game. The characters are interesting and have a wide range of characteristics. You even have an option of creating your own player, where you choose the hair style, head style, color, and physical abilities. When you are actually playing the game, the graphics aren't phenomenal, but they are way better than the magnetic football game that I had when I was a kid. Bottom Line
My son is too young to play this game, and my daughter isn't very interested in sports. So, I have had this game all to myself. I like it. My son enjoys watching the game being played, but he isn't old enough yet to understand how to operate it (he is only two). My son loves sports, and I think he will probably log a few hours on this game as soon as he is old enough to play it (if I haven't worn it out first). The gameplay is interesting and held MY attention for several hours of play. After a while, I grew a little tired, because the game was too easy. Easy is good, though, for this age range. I would recommend this game for children in the age range listed. I think older children would enjoy the game, as well. However, they will probably grow bored of the game after a while, because it is fairly easy to beat the computer.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun for children and adults!
Review: As a longtime hardcore PC gamer, I surprisingly found this game to be a lot of fun with a nice simple interface. There are a couple modes to play from, starting with a Skirmish where you can play a quick game, or a season. There is also a multiplayer LAN-ONLY feature. Starting with a season game, the interface first lets you choose which of the 31 football teams will be in the season (you are allowed to choose about 25 of them), and which team you wish to play as your own. Each division also has a CUSTOM team that you can choose. You can customize this team's name and jersey colors. The team names are limited to the selections they give you, but this is for the purposes of the in-game announcers. Then comes the player selections, which gives you a very wide variety. There are all sorts of players to choose from, from African Americans, Asians, Latinos, and many more. There is also a player in a wheelchair to choose from! The political correctness of this game is deep, which is a good thing for children. There are also a group of kids based on real NFL players, such as Ricky Williams, Brett Favre, Drew Bledsoe, and Junior Seau. The only gripe I have is the low number of these NFL players, and the fact that they only had current players and none of the recent greats like Dan Marino. This is a small gripe that is countered by the ability to create your own player. Although it is a custom player, you must choose one of the default nicknames -- because the announcers will use the nicknames during the game. Choosing the players is a lot of fun and has some strategy. For instance, one of the players plays better if you have pink uniforms, and another plays better if you also choose her twin sister for your team. Each player has rankings based on Passing, Running, Catching, Kicking, and Defense. The game itself is very simple. Choose a play, click to hike the ball, and hold the mouse down in the direction you want to run, or click past the line of scrimmage to pass to a receiver. You can choose from 12 plays in your playbook. You can customize your playbook from existing plays, or make your own play. There is also the addition of special magic plays that are for 1 use only, and are awarded when your team does certain things (like run a lot of yards). An example is the leapfrog play. Your QB hands off to the RB, who then leaps over all the players for an instant 5 yards (great for goal line plays). Supersonic will cause a loud boom that will stun all opposing players for a few seconds for a free run. There are defensive special plays too. Overall the plays are varied enough to keep the play calling interesting, and the special plays are a lot of fun. You can also call a timeout to substitute your tired players with fresh players on the bench. Scoring a touchdown is very interesting because when a player scores, all the players on the field clap their hands and cheer (even the opposing team). The scorer then does a custom victory dance. This is a very kid-friendly design that the developers chose. There are 3 difficulty settings to be played, with lots of toggle switches. For example, you can turn off special plays, or turn on player fatigue. The main gripe I have is that you cannot re-draft players between seasons, without starting a brand new team. But this is a minor concern since the game itself is a lot of fun. The easy interface is simple yet effective, and the fun factor is very high. I recommend this game to any football fan out there, and parents who are looking for a fun and safe game for their children to play.
Rating:
Summary: The game of the century!!
Review: Backyard Football 2002 is a great game. It's much better than the original. I recommend this game for ages 5-10. It has more NFL players and has better graphics. Make sure to find out about Backyard Basketball.
Rating:
Summary: More fun than the original
Review: BYF 2002 is a really good game for kids that love football. I have two sons (6 and 4) that enjoy it tremendously.
Seeing the game from this perspective has helped them understand the sport a little better.
Their only complaints are that there are no pro receivers, and some players (Cade McNown) that they don't recognize.
We've had one problem. We have an iMac and lately the game has been shutting down around the third quarter. I don't know if this is a bug or if they have been treating the game a little too rough and it has some scratches.
Rating:
Summary: Fun Game
Review: First of all, I'm 52 years old, not a kid. My brother - in - law, knowing that I am a life-long, born and raised football fan got me this game for Christmas, thinking I would enjoy it, since they have all the NFL teams, (including my Steelers) plus real named players. I wouldn't have gotten this game myself; but I admit it is much more fun than the 99-cent head caoch football game that I got myself years ago. Agree that the Madden games,etc. would probably be more realistic, but I don't think my PC would have handled it. Any way, I do enjoy the game, and I'll have to get the hang of controlling it; like the others, I get sacked a lot, and seem to have trouble passing. One word of warning. If you are looking for your favorite team players, all you'll get are the team logos and shirts, not the players. Only the players listed on the box are actually in the game. (Licensing, I suppose.) Also some football common sense and savvy is essential, too. Such as use a real quarterback at quarter back. My brother in law played the game himself an had better success than I did, picking and substituting. Like I said I need more practice, and patience reading the rather detailed instruction manual. Be aware of certain rule quirks, like 20-yard first downs, and 5 on 5 play. Sort of takes me back to my youth when we used to play in the alley behind my house. At least they get first downs. Agree, definitely a lot of laughs and good fun. When my 10-month old son gets a little older, I hope he can appreciate this. Also I'll have to teach him all of the other card, board, and casino, sports, and arcade games games I own. NOTE: This is the same brother - in - law that got me the real pool game. Not really being a pool player, though I do shoot occasionally and am not very good at it; that too, is a good game and takes a while to get the hang of. I'm more of a cards and coin-op game person.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, Fun, Fun!
Review: Having bought many of the previous (Backyard Soccer MLS Edition) titles this was given. Backyard Football 2002 is much harder then the previous version. The computer is in fact quite tough on the difficult mode and if one also opts not for power ups then one will have to fight really hard to win any games. Good Defense is a must and one player can definetely make or break a game. Highly Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Backyard Sports does it agian
Review: Humongous Sports has just launched another great sports game with this title. If you have ever played the original Backyard Football,your in for just as much and maybe even more fun. Added features include more fields,added pro players,more power ups, a full draft mode were other teams select players,and speedier game play. The only down part is that kicking is incredibly tough and The pass routes can get a little confusing. But all in all this is a wonderful game. If your a fan of the backyard series this is an absloute must have.
Rating:
Summary: They've done it again!
Review: Humongus Entertainment made another great game. I've only had it a week and my friend and I are hooked. If you liked any of the other games then you will love this one.
Rating:
Summary: My daughter loves it!
Review: I bought this for my nine-year-old daughter for Christmas and I have yet to see her use any piece of software as much as she does this.(unless it's backyard baseball!) I really feel that she has learned alot of strategy from this product by finding out different ways to pick her team players and make manager type decisions. I highly recommend it. My daughter is a sports nut like her Dad so I'm not that surprised that she likes it so much.
Rating:
Summary: Great game!
Review: I bought this game with christmas money in late December of 2001 and I played it and found that it was one of the best Backyard Sports games ever! The gameplay is fun and easy to learn.
I highly recommend this to fans of the Backyard Sports games and fans of football.
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