Following the huge success of College Football 25, it seems inevitable that nostalgic sports games from the childhoods of many millennials will start reappearing. Today, it was officially announced that “Backyard Sports” will be making a comeback, marking almost ten years since its last game was released.

Playground Productions, the company behind “Backyard Sports,” has made a formal announcement that the series will return “in the coming months,” featuring its classic style and beloved characters like Pablo Sanchez, Kenny Kawaguchi, and Pete Wheeler.

“We’re thrilled to bring Backyard Sports back to a new generation,” said Chris Waters, Chief Product Officer at Playground Productions. “We’re carefully maintaining the unique charm of the original games while integrating modern features and gameplay that today’s gamers expect.”

The revival of this cherished series has sparked curiosity about what other classic sports video game franchises might soon return.

Here are a few games we’d love to see brought back.

Game Series That Deserve a Comeback

Mario Super Sluggers

Mario is a legendary character, known for his ventures in various sports, but his baseball career only spans two games. “Mario Superstar Baseball” (2005) and “Mario Super Sluggers” (2008) are much-loved titles that still have passionate fans creating content for them. However, there hasn’t been a new addition to the series in over 15 years, unlike “Mario Tennis,” which recently saw a new release on Switch.

With exciting games like Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario Bros. Wonder enriching the Mario franchise, there’s a wealth of new content and characters to explore for fresh gaming experiences.

NFL Blitz The League

This game was notoriously intense, making it unlikely to be produced in today’s market but just imagine how thrilling it would be if it were! With many players finding Madden increasingly frustrating, a new, exaggerated football game could be just what NFL fans need to reinvigorate their interest in the genre.

The Bigs

Similar to Mario Baseball, “The Bigs” hasn’t had a release since before 2010, but it was an absolute blast. The quick mini-games, the influence of top players in matches, and the Wii’s motion controls were perfectly combined to create an MLB video game that was just fantastical enough to feel unique while still retaining baseball’s essence.

Plus, Jack Cust was a legend in “The Bigs 2,” consistently hitting home runs. That alone made the game incredible.

SSX Tricky

When was the last time a snowboarding race game came out? It’s been ages. This niche market is in dire need of attention, and reintroducing “SSX Tricky” would definitely attract attention. Similar to “NFL Blitz The League,” the game may be considered too rough for today’s standards, given that one of the main gameplay mechanics was attacking opponents on the slopes. However, the fast-paced, outrageous gameplay would certainly sell well today.

NFL 2K

We can all agree on this one. While some fans may prefer a more realistic gaming experience, something like Madden, unfortunately, Madden will lack any competition in the NFL simulation game market until at least 2026. Even with the expiration of their exclusive rights, it could take another company millions in marketing to compete with Madden.

Here’s where 2K Sports comes in. They have the funds to successfully market a new game, and with their experience in creating NFL titles—as evidenced by their last release in 2004—they know what works. NFL 2K5 is widely regarded as one of the best simulation NFL games ever, with mechanics and animations that still impress to this day.