Search for:

Backyard Baseball ’01 releasing on Steam & mobile devices July 8th

CHICAGO – June 30, 2025 – Following the chart-topping success of the relaunch of Backyard Baseball ’97, Playground Productions will launch Backyard Baseball ‘01 on July 8th on Steam and mobile devices. As part of the announcement, 28 of the original 31 MLB Pros are returning to the game including Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and Cal Ripken, Jr.  Mega Cat Studios, which developed the other Backyard games relaunched over the past year with Playground Productions, will develop ’01 as well.

Similar to the remastered ’97 game, the 2001 relaunch will include the classic gameplay for touch and modern PC controls. Backyard Baseball ‘01 will include official MLB marks, including usage of individual team logos, names and likeness.

“We’re honored to partner with MLB to bring this iconic game to modern gaming devices for the first time. Backyard Baseball ‘01 was a game-changer in many ways—introducing some of the sport’s biggest legends into the Backyard universe,” said Lindsay Barnett, CEO, Playground Productions. “We can’t wait for fans to relive the joy of building their dream team with both our beloved original characters and baseball’s greatest pros from that unforgettable era.”

“Backyard Baseball stands out with a special place in so many fans’ memories thanks to its endearing qualities and features that were especially rare for a video game of its time. We are really excited to play a small part in authenticating this revitalization with MLB marks and look forward to the full circle moment where those who played this beloved game as children can bring it to a new generation in their families and friends,” said Jamie Leece, MLB’s Senior Vice President, Gaming & Virtual Reality.

The news comes on the heels of Playground Productions’ announcement in mid-June that Backyard Baseball ’97 is now available on Nintendo Switch and PS5. In October, Playground relaunched Backyard Baseball ’97, which quickly became a global top selling sports game on Steam, and in November, the company re-launched “Backyard Soccer ’98 on Steam.”  In March, Baseball ’97 launched on mobile in iOS and Android as the #1 game in sports, family and kids games on the iOS app store for paid games.

Contact: 

For Playground Productions and Interview Requests:

Brandon Shaw 

Brandon@BShawCommunications.com

For Review Requests:

Frank DiPersio

PR Manager, Mega Cat Studios

Frank@megacatstudios.com

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit Physical Editions Now Available Worldwide

LOS ANGELES – June 20, 2025 – iam8bit, together with developer Mega Cat Studios, launch physical editions of the chilling adventure  Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit. Starting today, fans can buy the physical retail edition and iam8bit Exclusive Edition for Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X|S with Smart Delivery.
 

The ‘Available Now’ trailer can be viewed here.
 

The iam8bit Exclusive Edition, which includes a haunting glow-in-the-dark poster, three Sticker Sheets and the digital soundtrack, is available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S with Smart Delivery for $34.99.
 

Physical editions for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S with Smart Delivery feature the main game on a cartridge or disc as well as the digital soundtrack for €29.99 / £25.99 from retailers worldwide.
 

All physical editions of Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit can be bought from intothepit.iam8bit.com.
 

Fans in North and South America who purchase the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 versions of the game will receive their shipments after Tuesday, July 1.
 

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit is the latest haunting action-adventure game in the Five Nights At Freddy’s universe. Players must survive five nights of terror by traveling between time periods to solve puzzles, gather clues, and outrun the threats relentlessly in pursuit. By moving swiftly and staying hidden, players just might survive. But be careful—it’s not just their life that’s on the line this time.
 

###
 

About iam8bit

iam8bit is a creative production emporium that’s been boldly redefining the entertainment industry since 2005. Its collaborative works have taken a variety of forms, including groundbreaking community events, immersive art experiences, and exclusive collectibles, all designed to bring surprise and delight to people’s lives. iam8bit played a crucial role in the vinyl renaissance, minting its first record in 2010, and is the industry leader in premium physical editions of top-tier games. iam8bit evolved into financing and publishing games under its iam8bit Presents imprint, including the smash hit Escape Academy and its upcoming sequel; Petal Runner, a love letter to Game Boy Color-era RPGs; and the chill vibes simulator Simpler Times. The company is based in Los Angeles and co-owned/co-creatively directed by Jon M. Gibson and Amanda White. Visit iam8bit.com or follow @iam8bit on Instagram or Twitter.

About Mega Cat Studios

Founded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mega Cat Studios strives to deliver unforgettable experiences for gamers of all generations. With our hearts firmly planted somewhere in the 1990s and gazes set on the future, our team combines a passion for crafting new retro classics with an unwavering commitment to delivering compelling current-gen content.

Backyard Baseball ’97 now available on Nintendo Switch and PS5

CHICAGO, June 12th, 2025 – Children’s and family entertainment company Playground Productions today announced the long-awaited console debut of “Backyard Baseball ’97.” The widely beloved game that teed up a generation of kid-powered sports entertainment will be available on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 beginning June 12th. 

Following recent chart-topping success on Steam, Android, and iOS devices—where the game hit #1 across multiple categories and was named an Apple editorial pick—the console release continues Playground Productions’ mission to preserve and celebrate the nostalgic fun of the original Backyard Sports titles. The June launch marks a major milestone as Backyard Baseball ’97 is brought to console for the first time. 

“Whether you grew up playing on a family desktop or are just discovering the magic for the first time, this game’s pick-up-and-play charm, funny characters, and nostalgic art style remain unrivaled,” said Lindsay Barnett, CEO of Playground Productions, which owns Backyard Sports, in announcing the launch. “It’s an incredible retro game that celebrates the joy of play, and we’re proud to bring it to kids and families everywhere – in the living room or on the go.”
 

To celebrate Backyard Baseball 97’s console debut, publisher Playground Productions and Mega Cat Studios have released a new trailer, offering a front-row seat to the nostalgic action. Watch the Backyard Baseball ’97 console announcement trailer here for Switch and here for PlayStation


Remastering the original Backyard Baseball game to modern devices was no walk in the ballpark, as the team did not have the source code from the original game. Developer Mega Cat Studios, alongside a dedicated team of passionate fans, made the impossible possible earlier this year – unlocking the game through reverse engineering of the source code for modern console play. 

“For 28 years, this game has held a singular place in sports and game-lovers’ hearts,” said James Deighan, Founder and CEO, Mega Cat Studios. “To be able to bring this game back to life for the modern gamer, to expand the base of those who enjoy playing it, and to have those two audiences play together is a privilege and a pleasure for all of us. We’re excited to bring this to continually new audiences.”

For more information on the launch and Backyard Sports, visit Playground-Productions.com or follow @playground.productions. 


Contact: 

For Playground Productions and Interview Requests:


Brandon Shaw 

Brandon@BShawCommunications.com

For Review Requests:

Frank DiPersio

PR Manager, Mega Cat Studios

Frank@megacatstudios.com

Step into Tales of The Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game in Wholesome Direct Showcase

At the Wholesome Direct digital showcase today, Wētā Workshop welcomed viewers home to The Shire in a brand-new trailer for the Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings™ Game featuring charming gameplay, serene surroundings, and in true Hobbit fashion – plenty of food.

The new trailer gives glimpses of life in Bywater, meeting new friends and familiar faces. Decorate your own Hobbit hole, exactly as you like, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life in The Shire. Bask in colourful seasonal changes as you stock up your pantry by fishing, gardening, foraging and trading ingredients for shared meals with friends. Your fellow Hobbits don’t need an excuse for a party, they’re just waiting for your invitation….when you’re ready, of course!

You can check out the full trailer here.  Additional assets can be downloaded here.

In addition, those eager to jump in can wishlist the game now on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S!

From the creative studio Wētā Workshop, live the cosy life of a Hobbit in the wonderfully serene landscape of The Shire. Discover, decorate, and share in this peaceful corner of Middle-earth. Launching on July 29, 2025, for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, the game will be available digitally and physically worldwide. Pre-orders for the $39.99 Retail Edition and iam8bit Exclusive Edition are available now for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 at talesoftheshire.iam8bit.com.

For all the latest updates on the game, follow Tales of the Shire on X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. 

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds ™ Warps into Stores this September

Burbank, Calif. – June 6, 2025 – Today, during the Summer Game Fest 2025 livestream, SEGA® announced Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will release on September 25, 2025, and is available for pre-order now for PlayStation®5 (PS5®), PlayStation®4 (PS4®), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC starting at £64.99.

Physical pre-orders for Nintendo Switch™, Nintendo Switch™- OLED Model, and Nintendo Switch™ Lite are available now starting at £54.99 with digital pre-orders coming soon. The Nintendo Switch 2 system version will be coming at a later date and will be available starting at £64.99. There will be a paid upgrade path available for owners of the Nintendo Switch version. Keep an eye out for more details soon!

To celebrate, SEGA shared a new trailer showcasing the high-octane action players can expect this fall:

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds features a huge roster of everyone’s favorite characters from the Sonic universe, which will continue to grow after launch with the addition of familiar faces from other SEGA franchises including Joker and Kasuga Ichiban, and even guest characters like Hatsune Miku and more. These characters will be available to all players for free through a series of game updates.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Digital Deluxe Edition expands the roster even further with playable characters from the hit Netflix series, Sonic Prime and a Season Pass that brings guest characters, vehicles, and tracks from other iconic entertainment franchises such as Minecraft to race alongside Sonic and friends.

Fans who pre-order the Digital Standard or Deluxe editions of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will receive an additional character – Sonic the Werehog from Sonic Unleashed™ – along with a special vehicle and decal! Look forward to more details soon! ​

Please see below for more information on each offering:

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds – Physical Standard Edition

  • Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch- OLED Model, and Nintendo Switch Lite – £54.99
  • PlayStation®5 (PS5®), PlayStation®4 (PS4®), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC – £64.99
    • Nintendo Switch 2 version available at a later date
  • *PRE-ORDER BONUS – Sonic Unleashed Sonic the Werehog character + vehicle + decal

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds – Digital Standard Edition

  • Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch- OLED Model, and Nintendo Switch Lite – £54.99 PlayStation®5 (PS5®), PlayStation®4 (PS4®), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC – £64.99
    • Nintendo Switch 2 version available at a later date
  • *PRE-ORDER BONUS – Sonic Unleashed Sonic the Werehog character + vehicle + decal

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds – Digital Deluxe Edition

  • Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch- OLED Model, and Nintendo Switch Lite – £69.99
  • PlayStation®5 (PS5®), PlayStation®4 (PS4®), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC – £79.99
    • Nintendo Switch 2 version available at a later date
  • Season Pass
  • Play the game three days early (September 22, 2025)
    • Early Access not available for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch- OLED Model, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch 2
  • Sonic Prime Playable Characters
    • Knuckles the Dread
    • Rusty Rose
    • Tails Nine
  • *PRE-ORDER BONUS – Sonic Unleashed Sonic the Werehog character + vehicle + decal

Race across land, sea, air, time, and space in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds! Warp through Travel Rings into new dimensions where something new awaits around every twist and turn. Speed to victory solo or as a team in a variety of offline and online modes and compete against players from around the world. Build the ultimate machine to match your racing style, unlock gadgets to gain the upper hand, and unleash power-up items for the win!

Key Features:

  • Ready, Set, Warp!
    • Introducing Travel Rings, a new gameplay mechanic that transports the iconic characters from the Sonic and SEGA universes into new dimensions, making every race feel unique. Players can use unpredictability to their advantage with Travel Rings and change the landscape of each race!
  • Race Across Space and Time
    • With the largest roster of any Sonic Racing game, players will be able to choose from 23 characters and race across 24 main tracks and use Travel Rings to transport to 15 different CrossWorlds.
  • Level Up Races with Gadgets
    • Prior to the race, players will be able to equip and combine Gadgets that give different perks to shake up the race for more unique ways to play. Choose from over 70 gadgets to increase vehicle and power-up performance.
  • Utilize a Deep Customization System
    • Players can mix and match vehicle parts, powers, and abilities to create a customized racing experience suited to their gameplay style.
  • Extreme Gear is Back!
    • Having first appeared in Sonic Riders™, the long-time fan favorite Extreme Gear flying hoverboards, are back for some extreme fun in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.

To pre-order Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds today, please visit the official Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds website or check with your preferred retailer for pre-order availability.

To stay current on Sonic the Hedgehog news, follow Sonic on X, Instagram, and TikTok, like him on Facebook, and subscribe to the Twitch channel and the YouTube channel. ​ For even more game-specific details and updates, follow the Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds X account. Also, don’t forget to visit the SEGA e-shop at shop.sega.com to purchase products for the SEGA fan in your life.EN PEGI: https://youtu.be/evUV88SFKAk

About SEGA of America, Inc.

SEGA of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA CORPORATION, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment. Established in 1986, SEGA of America publishes innovative experiences for console, PC, mobile and other emerging platforms. SEGA is the first publisher to rank #1 three separate times (2016, 2020, and 2024) in Metacritic’s Game Publisher Rankings. Its globally beloved franchises include Sonic the Hedgehog, Total War™, Like a Dragon, Football Manager™, Virtua Fighter™, and Crazy Taxi™, along with Atlus’ Persona series and the critically acclaimed new IP, Metaphor: ReFantazio™. The company is also expanding its transmedia strategy, with numerous film and TV projects underway across multiple franchises. SEGA of America has offices in Irvine and Burbank, California. Visit www.sega.com.

ⒸSEGA. All rights reserved. SEGA is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. SEGA, the SEGA logo, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG and SONIC RACING CROSSWORLDS are registered trademarks or trademarks of SEGA CORPORATION. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are property of their respective owners.

Minecraft

© 2025 Mojang AB. TM Microsoft Corporation.

© 2025 Mojang AB. TM Microsoft Corp.

TM & © Mojang AB.

Gaming News and the Ultimate Universe