Flight Simulator is Now Available on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Game Pass

Microsoft Flight Simulator is now available on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Game Pass, expanding the audience for this game past the PC for the first time.

“In a pivotal moment for the flight simmer community, today we are bringing Microsoft Flight Simulator to Xbox Series X|S giving aspiring pilots the chance to take flight for the first time on a console,” Microsoft’s Jorg Neumann writes. “[Gamers] can expect the same level of depth as the PC version, with the most authentic and realistic flight simulator we have ever created and available to the widest audience ever.”

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Microsoft Flight Simulator appears to be mostly identical to the PC version of the game on the new Xbox consoles, but Microsoft says it has been optimized for these platforms as well. And all of the add-ons that Microsoft has released on the PC—including the free World Updates, free simulation updates, themed DLC bundles, and aircraft—work on Xbox Series X|S as well.

There are some new additions timed to the console launch, too, including Discovery Flights to impressive locations like the Great Pyramid of Giza and Mount Everest, World Exploration improvements, Flight Training improvements, a new Flight Assistant tool, and the ability to land anywhere, including water.

The big question, of course, is when or if Microsoft Flight Simulator will ever show up Xbox Cloud Gaming. My guess is that it will, but I don’t believe that Microsoft has ever committed to that.

You can learn more on the Xbox website.

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Conversation 11 comments

  • StevenLayton

    27 July, 2021 - 1:26 pm

    <p>Really interested in playing this. Not my normal game type, but it looks stunning. If I start downloading now to my Series as it might be finished by the weekend.</p>

    • StevenLayton

      27 July, 2021 - 1:30 pm

      <p>Series “S”. Wish I could fix typos :)</p>

  • PhilipVasta

    27 July, 2021 - 1:32 pm

    <p>Well. Preloaded on my Series S, downloaded the day one patch, and after super long load times, the menu cursor isn’t there. Tried restarting the game, the xbox. I was expecting their servers to get hammered, but I didn’t expect the game itself to be so buggy. Pretty disappointing :/</p>

  • jason_e

    27 July, 2021 - 2:26 pm

    <p>I would love to try this if only I could find a Xbox Series X without having to take out a 2nd mortgage.</p>

  • jeff.bane

    27 July, 2021 - 3:42 pm

    <p>Sounds really legit….</p>

  • xapache

    27 July, 2021 - 3:48 pm

    <p>Great, I have it but I cannot figure out to move the cursor (if I could see a cursor) to actually select anything to actually fly.</p><p><br></p><p>The menu system is terrible. It shows input reminders that don’t exist, like press "M". Huh, don’t recall seeing an M on my Xbox controller!</p>

    • PhilipVasta

      27 July, 2021 - 6:55 pm

      <p>Hey so I figured out what that was! I had previously played the game on my pic, and it seemed to have synced my settings. If you temporarily plug a mouse in to set the default to controller, I think you should be good. </p>

    • sydney2k

      28 July, 2021 - 12:25 am

      <p>Aren’t you able to press the left analogue stick to toggle between menu and cursor?</p>

    • xapache

      28 July, 2021 - 9:48 am

      <p>So I figured this out – in case anyone else experiences this "issue". I had installed and played FS on my computer and so those mouse/keyboard settings carried over to the Xbox.</p><p><br></p><p>I plugged a mouse into the Xbox and reset the controller settings and now all is good to go.</p>

  • markbyrn

    Premium Member
    27 July, 2021 - 4:06 pm

    <p>Running perfectly on my Series S </p>

  • red.radar

    Premium Member
    01 August, 2021 - 10:05 am

    <p>Good to know this is an option. I have had a hard time getting. GPU for my Desktop. I may just go this route instead. </p>

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