The new FS2020 leaves its predecessor, FSX, in the dust, offering improved aerodynamics, and real-time weatherand air traffic.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
Take to the skies and explore the world
You can fly over the pyramids before landing at a replica of Cairo International Airport – that’s the breath-taking experience promised by Microsoft FS2020.
FS2020 price-tag fits the market average, but if you shop smart you can get it cheaper than almost every other simulator.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is a gorgeous return to form for a long-running flight simulation series, and many are wondering if this next-gen experience will come to Xbox. We have all the details here.
You can choose one of 30 different aircraft to explore detailed landscapes, with familiar models like the Airbus, Boeing, and Cessna available. However, you can also try out a few amphibious craft, private jets, and passenger planes.
There are over 37,000 airports to visit, or you can also stop at one of the 40 hand-crafted airports that are almost exact replicas of their real-world counterparts. If that’s not exciting enough, you can also visit your own house to do a fly-by.
FS2020 comes with more base features than any other simulator, including competitors X Plane and Prepar3D. While they also offer a wide variety of airplanes and expansive worlds, these are add-ons created by 3rd parties, and it could cost a pretty penny to get them up to the same standard as Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.
Play Microsoft Flight Simulator and over 100 more high-quality PC games on Windows 10 for one low monthly price with Xbox Game Pass for PC. JOIN XBOX GAME PASS FOR PC Buy download. From light planes to wide-body jets, fly highly detailed and accurate aircraft in the next generation of Microsoft Flight Simulator. The world is at your fingertips. The base version of Microsoft Flight Simulator comes with 20 planes and 30 hand-crafted airports. That might not seem like a lot of locations, but the remaining 37,000+ of the world’s airports. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 marks an unparalleled leap in virtual flight, with cloud-powered detail across a near-to-scale recreation of the entire planet Earth. The next entry may prove to be. Microsoft Flight Simulator X is the second most recent major release of Microsoft Flight Simulator, and the last one developed by Aces Game Studio. It includes a graphics engine upgrade and compatibility with preview DirectX 10 and Windows Vista. It was released on October 17, 2006, in North America.
Although it doesn’t include VR in the initial release like the VR-ready DCS, FS2020 has the option of adding it later.
Where can you run this program?
FS2020 works on Xbox One and Windows 10. You’ll need at least 8GB RAM, 2GB VRAM, and an NVIDIA GTX 770 or Radeon RX 570. Much of the environment will be streamed, so you also need a fast connection.
Is there a better alternative?
No. None of FS2020’s competitors include the same number of features, quality, and accuracy in one affordable package.
Our take
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 combines an expansive world with great design, various aircraft, and destinations, and a shared-world multiplayer option to create an excitingly realistic experience.
Should you download it?
Yes. With excellent graphics, gameplay, and realism, FS2020 promises a memorable experience for any fan of flight simulators.
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© Asobo Studio/Microsoft
The latest edition of Microsoft’s long-running flight simulator program is preparing for take-off. Simply titled Microsoft Flight Simulator, this is the first new entry in the series since Microsoft Flight SimulatorX, which was released in 2006 and was updated for Steam in 2014.
Microsoft has stated that Microsoft Flight Simulator will be available on Xbox One, but no Xbox One release date has been announced. It’s landing on Windows PC on August 18, with dynamic weather, highly detailed aircraft, and aerodynamic modeling. According to Microsoft, it’s “the most realistic and authentic flight simulator to date.”
Pre-orders for Microsoft Flight Simulator are available now. Below, we detail everything you need to know about the new program, from system requirements to a breakdown of the different editions (including the European-exclusive retail edition, which ships on 10 double-sided DVDs.)
Microsoft Flight Simulator System Requirements
Before you pick up Microsoft Flight Simulator, you should ensure that your PC can run it. Minimum specs from Microsoft are below, as well as those recommended for the best experience.
If you want to dive into the world of flight sticks and and pedals, check out our guide to building the virtual cockpit of your dreams.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 Vr
Microsoft Flight Simulator on Xbox Game Pass
Microsoft Flight Simulator will be available on Xbox Game Pass for PC at launch. The popular Xbox game subscription service came to PC last year, and the app is currently available in beta at an introductory discount of $1 for the first month and $4.99 per month thereafter.
Subscribe to Xbox Game Pass for PC
Microsoft Flight Simulator Standard Edition
Those who aren’t Xbox Game Pass subscribers can purchase the Standard Edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator for $59.99. That includes digital ownership through Microsoft, meaning you’ll be able to play the game on any Windows PC where you’re logged into your Microsoft account (as long as that PC meets the minimum requirements, of course).
Microsoft Flight Simulator Xbox
Get it here: Amazon | Best Buy | GameStop | Microsoft
Microsoft Flight Simulator Deluxe Edition
The Deluxe Edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator costs $89.99 and includes five extra plane models and five more airports, detailed below.
Additional Aircraft
- Diamond Aircraft DA40-TDI
- Diamond Aircraft DV20
- Textron Aviation Beechcraft Baron G58
- Textron Aviation Cessna 152 Aerobat
- Textron Aviation Cessna 172 Skyhawk
Additional Enhanced Airports
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Netherlands)
- Cairo International Airport (Egypt)
- Cape Town International Airport (South Africa)
- O’Hare International Airport (USA)
- Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (Spain)
Get it here: Best Buy | GameStop | Microsoft
Microsoft Flight Simulator Premium Deluxe Edition
The Microsoft Flight Simulator Premium Deluxe Edition costs $119.99 and includes the extra airplanes and airports that come with the Deluxe Edition, plus five additional planes and five more airports. All of the bonus content is listed below.
Additional Aircraft
- Diamond Aircraft DA40-TDI
- Diamond Aircraft DV20
- Textron Aviation Beechcraft Baron G58
- Textron Aviation Cessna 152 Aerobat
- Textron Aviation Cessna 172 Skyhawk
- Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner
- Cirrus Aircraft SR22
- Pipistrel Virus SW 121
- Textron Aviation Cessna Citation Longitude
- Zlin Aviation Shock Ultra
Additional Enhanced Airports
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Netherlands)
- Cairo International Airport (Egypt)
- Cape Town International Airport (South Africa)
- O’Hare International Airport (USA)
- Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (Spain)
- Denver International Airport (USA)
- Dubai International Airport (United Arab Emirates)
- Frankfurt Airport (Germany)
- Heathrow Airport (United Kingdom)
- San Francisco International Airport (USA)
Get it here: Best Buy | GameStop | Microsoft
Microsoft Flight Simulator Retail Edition
Microsoft partnered with flight simulation retailer Aerosoft on a physical edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator, which comes on 10 double-sided discs. It features all of the content included in the digital version of the game, and it will require a software update from Microsoft before the game launches.
The retail edition will only be available in Europe. Aerosoft is selling two versions of the game: the Standard Edition for €60.34 (about $70) and the Premium Deluxe Edition for €112.06 (about $130.)
Get the Microsoft Flight Simulator Standard Retail Edition
Get the Microsoft Flight Simulator Premium Deluxe Retail Edition