Microsoft Flight Simulator is officially coming to Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, in Summer 2021

By Zachary Boddy
published

Heading to next-gen Xbox consoles in the new-year.

Microsoft Flight Simulator
Microsoft Flight Simulator (Image credit: Microsoft)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft Flight Simulator is a full-fledged flight sim with gorgeous graphics powered by the cloud.
  • The game is only out on PC at the moment, where it's received practically universal praise.
  • After months of waiting, we finally have a release window for Microsoft Flight Simulator on consoles.
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator is coming exclusively to the Xbox Series X|S consoles in Summer 2021.

One of the best looking games available now is Microsoft Flight Simulator on PC, which combines an incredible game with Microsoft's cloud technology to create one of the most stunning games (and best flight simulators) you can get. While the game has been well-received on PC from both customers and critics, it has been sorely missed on Xbox consoles. The game was promised to release on Xbox consoles even before it released on PC, but Microsoft Flight Simulator for Xbox was still nowhere to be found. Until now, that is.

A new gorgeous trailer has been released for Microsoft Flight Simulator, officially confirming a solid release window for Microsoft's, ahem, flight simulator, on the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. Here, next-gen console features like SSDs and more powerful hardware will help deliver the game in a way the older Xbox One generation never could. Microsoft Flight Simulator is coming to consoles in Summer 2021, meaning we only have a little while longer to wait before jumping in.

If you want to try Microsoft Flight Simulator when it launches on your Xbox Series X|S, but aren't sure if you'll love it, the game will be available on Xbox Game Pass day one, including a list of hundreds of other games that just keeps growing. Those who are more sure can take a look at some of the Best Xbox HOTAS controllers, which will all have full compatibility with the Xbox Series X|S.

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Xbox Series X/S

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Zachary Boddy
Zachary Boddy
Staff Writer

Zachary Boddy (They / Them) is a Staff Writer for Windows Central, primarily focused on covering the latest news in tech and gaming, the best Xbox and PC games, and the most interesting Windows and Xbox hardware. They have been gaming and writing for most of their life starting with the original Xbox, and started out as a freelancer for Windows Central and its sister sites in 2019. Now a full-fledged Staff Writer, Zachary has expanded from only writing about all things Minecraft to covering practically everything on which Windows Central is an expert, especially when it comes to Microsoft. You can find Zachary on Twitter @BoddyZachary.

20 Comments
  • There is something gone really bad at Microsoft. First Halo, now this. At least they have something at the table for PC gamers while they need to wait for xCloud.
  • I don't recall Flight Simulator ever being planned for the Xbox series launch window
  • What has gone bad? Did they delay the release of this on Xbox? I don't remember seeing any announcement about it.
  • Exactly. It wasn't
  • ??? I think this is great news.
  • Controls are the big question mark here. A game like this needs a proper flight stick. Keyboard support would be appreciated as well. Running something like Flight Sim with just an Xbox controller would be an epic fail.
  • That's my question too. While I can control basic aspects from a controller, a keyboard and mouse are still needed, at least for the PC version. Will be curious to see how they do it. Also curious how they are going to do VR, on m Ryzen 9, 3080 i'm getting about 42fps.
  • Simple, Xbox doesn’t do VR and has no plans for VR any time soon.
  • Sorry, that was in reference to PC on the 23rd.
  • I'm assuming USB flight controls would work fine with Series X, not unlike racing controls working on current Gen consoles? I'm not sure off the top of my head if Microsoft has accounted for publicizing additional accessories that work with Series X or not. Would be a great addition to Flight Sim coming to console!
  • We have a link to our list of favorite HOTAS options in the article that work with Xbox One and should work perfectly with Xbox Series X|S as well.
  • Do you guys have a primer on flight control-style games by chance? Aside from Star Wars Squadrons and the coming Msft Flight Sim? I have squadrons and now that Flight Sim is coming to SeriesX might be high time for me to invest. Everspace? Elite Dangerous? Ace Combat 7?
  • Actually, it is fine to play on a controller. Not all of us are control elitists. 😜 I am curious how they will handle the necessary keyboard inputs that are required on the PC with controller input though. Also, I believe there are flight sticks specifically for the Xbox, correct?
  • I personally don't care about realistic aircraft controls. I just want to see the digital representation of world, since I'll never actually go to most of these places in real life
  • What he said
  • Ditto.
    This *application* needs an Arcade mode for just cruising the friendly skies enjoying the sights.
    No plane, no nothing.
    Well, maybe a nice new age harp music background.
    For extra points, replace the plane with THE JETSONS flying car.
    C'mon, MS, how hard can it be to deactivate the simulation code.
  • Sounds like they're quietly ditching the Xbox One version then. Good move, probably what Cyberpunk 2077 should have done haha
  • I'm thinking that going forwards this commitment will be kept through a xcloud app being made available on xb1 consoles.
  • Yup.
    There is more to XBOX gaming than XBOX consoles.
    It'll be interrsting when TVs get the XBOX app next year.
  • Not ditching but slowly phasing out full local support.
    Just as with the transition from 360: first year every game supports it, second year a few less, and so on.
    It was announced from before the launch: One year (mostly) guaranteed.
    But Late summer/fall 2021 is outside the promise. With the caveat that with streaming a game doesn't have to run on tbe XB1 to play it on XB1.