Pablo Sanchez fans and devotees of the Backyard Sports series can rejoice: publisher Playground Productions has launched the remastered Backyard Football `99 on Steam and mobile platforms. This updated version of the sports simulator brings back beloved child athletes and younger versions of NFL legends.
While many renowned players like Barry Sanders, Dan Marino, and Jerry Rice are once again on the roster, Brett Favre has been replaced by a new character, Chase Downfield, marking the first time a new hero has been introduced in these remasters.
Unlike the 1999 original, the new version does not feature official NFL team logos and names, instead allowing players to create their own unique teams, such as the “Labrador Receivers” or the “Dirty Socks.” However, despite these changes, the game remains faithful to the original visuals and audio, promising a familiar and nostalgic experience for long-time fans.
Lindsay Barnett, CEO of Playground Productions, stated that Backyard Football `99 made her a football fan for life and expressed pride in bringing the game back in time for football season. Playground Productions also plans to release remasters of Backyard Basketball `01 and Backyard Hockey `02 in the future.

