The year is 2040: Video games are fully immersive simulators. In this virtual world, you are Kanye West. You’re putting on a show for millions of other users, who include Jedis, Wizards, and Kardashians, to name a few. In your spare time, you drive DeLoreans in between solar systems and listen to podcasts starring former POTUS, Elon Musk.
I can’t wait for 2040, not because of this Orwellian future, but because the young gamers of today will look back on games like Fortnite and Call of Duty with a sense of nostalgia:
“The kids of today didn’t know how good we had it,” they’ll say to their friends.
Well, kids of today, here’s to your future moment. However, you’ll never know how good it was when I was growing up. Back when I was a young buck, we had the best sports video game ever created — we had Backyard Football 2002.
It’s one of those titles where you either throw your hands in the air like, “yes,! This guy gets it.” Or you’re scratching your head wondering what you’re missing out on. Don’t worry, we gotchu. Here are three reasons why Backyard Football 2002 is the greatest sports game of all time.
1. Backyard Football 2002: Simple Yet Creative As Hell
Image from MobyGames
Backyard Football 2002 is a simple game (the best ones often are). You pick a franchise to represent, draft a team from a selection of 30+ kids, and lead your newly formed squad to the Gridiron Grits Super Bowl. And where the game really shines is in the details.
The kids you get to select from are some of the most unique, idiosyncratic characters ever put to code. You have pro players like kid Drew Bledsoe, the overall best QB in the game. The powerhouse from the Chargers, Junior Seau, and Hall of Famer Brett Farve.
Then you have developer created characters, the real stars of the show. You have Ricky Johnson, a skinny bashful black kid who has one hell of a punt and Kenny Kawaguchi, a wheelchair-bound kid who’ll inspire you more than any classic football film. You have Kiesha Phillips, a girl so strong she could give any NFL linebacker a run for their money. And you cannot forget Pete Wheeler and Pablo Sanchez — the former a Southern stereotype and the latter a Mexican one, but they were the fastest kids in the game. I’m getting cold sweats just thinking about losing them in the draft.
2. Graphics Don’t Mean a Thang (Gameplay is King!)
It’s no secret today that great graphics don’t necessarily result in a good game. Especially with the indie game renaissance that continues to grow, graphics are now an afterthought when discussing quality games. But back in 2002, everyone was practically drooling over great graphics.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Super Mario Sunshine, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, and Metroid Prime blew the pants off gamers (and some still hold up today might I add). That being said, Backyard Football 2002 ain’t the prettiest girl at the prom. But like that somewhat unattractive chick at prom, you have to look behind face value because this game is a catch, and it’s all because of gameplay.
Image from MobyGames
It’s so damn simple to play Backyard Football 2002. You pick a play — or construct your very own playbook — hike the ball, and work your magic, a.k.a. click to who you want to throw to.
It might sound too simple but the developers realized this and threw in a few special plays for both the computer and player to use.
These rare options give you several predicted outcomes from causing an earthquake on the field to making your running back invincible for 10 seconds. Dammit, I love this game.
3. Nostalgia Is a Hell of a Drug
Fine, you caught me, I admit it! There is some nostalgia in play when I talk about Backyard Football 2002. However, there really is a lot to love about this game that even younger gamers would experience today.
From the multiple field locations that include abandoned deserts, woodland parks, and inner-city backyards. Or the commentators, Sunny Day and Chuck Downfield who are the best sports broadcasters since Al Michaels and Tony Romo. And who can forget the iconic victory screen of your team going to Water Weasel World (a hybrid between Chuck E. Cheese and a shifty carnival) after you win the Gridiron Grit Super Bowl?
Every Backyard Sports game from the early 2000s was great (everything past 05’ is straight trashcan) but there’s something about football that hit different. Nostalgia might play a part, but the game really is a hidden gem in an oversaturated, often trite sports game market.
So grandparents of the world, instead of getting your kids Madden [Insert year here] buy them a timeless classic; buy them Backyard Football 2002.