Backyard Football 2006 is an NFL-licensed American football game geared towards kids with a cartoon style. It is the second Backyard Football game for the GBA. Game modes include pickup games, exhibition matches, season play, practice games and multiplayer. There are three difficulty levels and options to toggle power-ups, fatigue and turnovers. Teams are divided over a Frontyard and a Backyard conference with multiple teams for each one, further divided into four groups: East, North, South and West. In total there are 32 NFL teams and 19 exclusive backyard teams.
There are multiple environments to choose from along with the weather options sun and rain. Each player has different statistics based on running, passing, catching, kicking and block/tackle. Custom characters can be created. In Exhibition matches the player and the computer take turns selecting a player to build a team. Matches have optional pre- and post-game commentary through an animated sequence. Multiplay plays and strategies are supported.
Gameplay is shown through a side-scrolling bird's-eye view from the sideline. Some actions have a power meter that builds and depletes automatically; the player then has to time carefully to hit at the right moment and determine the power of the action. The game is in full 3D. After each important action strategies can be switched. The game also always offers a recommended play.
