Steam is offering users a chance to play two classic PC games for free: Backyard Basketball '01 and Backyard Hockey '02. Both games, newly available on the platform, nostalgic releases from Humongous Entertainment, aim to attract fans with their retro appeal.
What's Available
Backyard Basketball '01, released in 2001 by Humongous Entertainment, and updated by Mega Cat Studios and Playground Productions, is well-received despite missing basketball star Kevin Garnett. The game retains its original charm with a mix of pro players and characters.
Backyard Hockey '02, enhanced by the same studios, has more licensing issues and some technical problems, affecting user reviews negatively. Both games are free but could be limited-time offers.
Context and Intent
The release follows paid versions of other Backyard titles like Baseball '97 and '01, Soccer '98, and Football '99, each priced at about $10. The free games might be aimed at promoting other Backyard titles or a new forthcoming game.
Steam Deck compatibility for these games is currently unclear. The developers might be leveraging these free releases to build momentum and visibility for the brand.
