Let Your Nostalgia Take Flight With Retro Microsoft Flight Simulators

Microsoft Flight Simulator 4
(Image credit: Future)

There is no denying that Microsoft Flight Simulator is a masterpiece of simulation and visuals but it needs a powerful machine to get the best from it. If your machine is not up to the job, or you fancy a retro flight from Chicago’s Meigs Field then Sebastian Macke's browser based versions of Flight Simulator 1.0 to 4 offer the chance to fly around a virtual slice of 1980s simulation.

Sebastian’s project provides the first four versions of Microsoft’s Flight Simulator, playable via the browser. We have full control of the plane via the keyboard and mouse so we can fly around Chicago or take a tour around Manhattan from the comfort of our home. While the visuals may not be as detailed as the latest version, there is no denying that even these earlier simulators are as demanding on our piloting skills, or lack of in our case. The included flight instruction lessons are sure to improve our skills or at least provide amusement for our friends.

All of the features that present in the original versions of these Microsoft Flight Simulators are present in Sebastian’s version, including the chance to design your own plane and fly around the virtual world from different airports and locations. Let your nostalgia take flight!

Les Pounder

Les Pounder is an associate editor at Tom's Hardware. He is a creative technologist and for seven years has created projects to educate and inspire minds both young and old. He has worked with the Raspberry Pi Foundation to write and deliver their teacher training program "Picademy".

  • velocityg4
    I played a lot of MS Flight Simulator 4.0. Probably older versions too. I think I had one on a 286 but don't really remember. I definitely crashed a lot. Landings were the hardest. As I recall you could change the weather and customize planes. For really interesting flying.

    I also played a lot of fighter pilot games. Which seem to have died off. Leaving arcade style ones or junk not as detailed as commercial plane simulators. Which makes no sense as I'd rather fly a F/A-18 hornet than a Boeing 747.
    Reply
  • Unolocogringo
    Jane's flight simulators have been around a very long time.
    Their latest 1999USAF has some fun planes to fly if you like fighter jets.
    I remember high mem DOS booting my old Pentium 75 to be able to play some of the older ones.
    Reply
  • DotNetMaster777
    Flight Simulator with this old fashion style is my favorite !
    Reply
  • nofanneeded
    1980's flight simulators were simply fake simulation ... the name was just for marketing.
    Reply