Field Day on Screen
“Backyard Soccer MLS Edition” is the newest release in the highly successful Humongous Sports Series--and it is one great piece of software.
This upgrade of the original 1998 “Backyard Soccer” works with girls and boys, avid soccer players and novices. What makes this version so special is that it features professional soccer greats as they might have been as kids--including Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Cobi Jones and Women’s National Team forward Tiffeny Milbrett. (See interview on this page.)
Children choose teams from a hodgepodge of kids known as the Backyard Gang. The Gang includes children of every size and shape, various races, both sexes--and even a boy in a wheelchair. What makes team selection so interesting is that each player has his or her own set of skills and artificial intelligence.
Each player’s talents are displayed on a player card. The cards reveal abilities in kicking, ball control, defense and running as well as character-specific idiosyncrasies. Some players do well only when their sibling is on their team. Others get bored in certain positions.
Once kids assemble teams and assign positions, they control each player’s moves through a simple point-and-click interface. Kids also pick team uniforms and select names and logos. Children can play individual games or strive to win the Astonishingly Shiny Cup of All Cups by winning a 14-game season.
Special features include a spectator mode for young children who just want to watch and a practice mode for kicking and goal-keeping. There is a two-person option; one person uses the mouse while the other uses the keyboard--but it’s a little awkward. “Backyard Soccer MLS Edition” has many strengths. It teaches soccer strategy and rules. Children connect with the players because each has a unique personality. The professional players as kids have been carefully researched so children can learn more about famous players. Humongous Entertainment provides numerous options so that children of different ages can enjoy the title--although older kids may find it a little too easy.
Special features that further enhance play include entertaining color commentary and unusual kicks--such as the “undergrounder,” a powerhouse ball that zooms underground and magically appears on another part of the field.
“Backyard Soccer MLS Edition” looks like a soccer simulation game, but it is much more. Because children act as coach and manager, they must think critically as they jockey players to find the perfect team. Obviously, playing soccer outside in the backyard is still the best route to go, but for the times when that isn’t possible, this software can provide one heck of a soccer experience.
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Jinny Gudmundsen is editor of Choosing Children’s Software magazine.
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The Skinny
Title: “Backyard Soccer MLS Edition”
Genre: Sports
Price: $20
Ages: 5 to 10
Platform: PC/Mac
System requirements: On a PC, a Pentium 166 with 16 MB of RAM. On a Mac, System 7.5.3 with 32 MB of RAM.
Publisher: Humongous Entertainment
The good: Professional soccer players as kids to play with
The bad: Two-person option is cumbersome
Bottom line: Great soccer simulation!
