Backyard Basketball

Other products by Humongous

Product Features

• You've got a huge selection of pros to choose from -- kid versions of the stars from every major team!
• Set up your team and go for the 3-pointers & dunks, in crazy half-court action
• Fun animations when a player pulls off a trick or messes up
• New network gaming feature lets you play one-on-one against other kids through the Internet

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005ME4W
• Item Weight: 9 ounces
• Media: CD-ROM
• Release Date: October 30, 2001
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,538 in Video Games (See Bestsellers in Video Games)

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  #7 in	Video Games > Mac Games > Sports
  #18 in	Software > Children's Software > Games > Action & Arcade
  #62 in	Video Games > PC Games > Sports

Product Description

From Children's Software Revue® -- "Subscribe Now!"
Infogrames scores another big one with this terrific, easy-to-play basketball simulation designed especially for kids. As in more sophisticated sims, players pick teams and game options, only in this case, players choose kid characters to fill out the roster. Each kid has a unique personality and set of skills. "Pint-sized" versions of a few pro players like Lisa Leslie and Kevin Garnett are thrown into the mix, adding an element of humor to the game, as kids meet and play with these little future superstars. What we like most about the program are its many options that give children control over the experience. Players can design team uniforms, create custom teams and can determine who to play against. They select each character's position as well as when and where to bounce the ball. Just like the real thing, the game takes practice, but it's thoroughly engaging and downright addictive. Flaws are few. The save features are limited, permitting only season games to be saved, but the other features are plentiful allowing children to control background sounds and play-by-plays. Also, the program requires some reading at first, until players have the navigation system memorized. All in all, though, this is a great program for many reasons. The software is one of the few that breaks stereotypes by putting boys and girls from all ethnic groups on the roster, some of whom are physically challenged. It gives kids unusual control over the action and is exceptionally easy to figure out.

Product Description
Backyard Basketball is the fun new game that puts kids together with their favorite pro basketball players for real b-ball action in the backyard!

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars way too easy., December 25, 2002

By	L. Powles "mpowles" (Palatine, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Don't get me wrong though, I like this game. But even the hard level is child's play. However, this game is designed for kids 5-10. I like it, but it is too easy. My best game so far was 132-12. I think that even a 5 year old wouldn't have a problem kicking everyone's butt in this game. Its fun, and anyone who likes the other Backyard games (hockey, soccer, football, baseball) will like this one.

Pros:
- Very simple controls
- Not hard for little kids
- No offensive content (it is, however, targeted to younger persons)

Cons:
- Way too easy for older gamers (e.g. 9-12)
- Gets stale and repetative after awhile

Altogether this is a good game, but if you are over age 9, this one will be way too easy and you shouldn't get it. Otherwise, you will like this one. It's fun, just too easy, which is why the younger audience will like it.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flawed But Excellent, October 24, 2002

By	M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Like many games in the "Backyard" series this is very enjoyable but flawed. The main problem is the stats. The list of top ten players doesn't track blocks. Rebounding is so difficult that your team and players will never appear in the top ten. The end-of-season awards for top player on team and in the league don't work at all. And please see the reviewer below, of all the Backyard games, this appears to require the most computer power. If your computer is not very powerful, the game will play in slow motion--very frustrating. Finally, there are only two pro players; hopefully, future versions will include more.

There are many positive points that we've come to expect from manufacturer "Humongous Entertainment," including trick plays, offensive and defensive strategies (Offense: Crash, Normal, or Fastbreak; Defense: Tight, Normal, or Loose), decisions about which players to pick and at what positions, when to sub, etc. Except for the lack of rebounding and outside shooting (especially in the most difficult level), game play is fairly realistic.

My player recommendations include the always-speedy Pete Wheeler, defensive specialist and inside shooter Keisha Phillips, all-around threat Lisa Leslie, Reese Worthington (great ball-handling and speed)and outside shooters Kenny Kawaguchi and Pablo Sanchez. Our current team features Pete, Lisa, Reese, and two players whose skill distribution and build are determined by the player. The skill points of these latter players increase after one season; they become among your very best players. The game requires quick responses; I recommend it for older grade school kids (maybe around 3rd through sixth grades) and adults who enjoy this series of sports games. Others may enjoy the somewhat easier-to-play Backyard Baseball or Football.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Bad Basketball, July 1, 2002

A Kid's Review

Trust me this game is not worth it. You will get tired with it really quick. Sure maybe the other backyard games are cool but this one [stinks]. I wanted to get it so bad and I couldn't wait till Christmas and I spent my own money then it was dissapointing!!Don't buy it!! I repeat dont buy it!!!!!