Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator

game

2020, Simulator

WISE
89%

WISE Score

92%

IGDB

The world's most realistic flight simulator—fly anywhere on Earth, but only if you've got the patience of an actual pilot.

Where to Play

Xbox
Xbox
PC/Steam
PC/Steam
Screenwise Verdict

This is the gold standard of flight simulation, and it's about as wholesome and enriching as gaming gets. But let's be real: most kids will bounce off this hard.

If your child is genuinely fascinated by planes, loves maps, or has the temperament to learn complex systems, this is an incredible tool that goes way beyond entertainment. Kids on Common Sense Media rave about the realism and educational value. But if they're looking for explosions, missions, or quick dopamine hits, they'll be bored within 20 minutes.

The barrier to entry is real—you need powerful hardware and patience to learn the controls. But for the right kid (or adult), this is a meditative, awe-inspiring experience that makes the world feel both massive and accessible. It's not for everyone, but for aviation nerds, it's basically perfect.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10+ with a genuine interest in aviation, geography, or simulation games. Younger kids will struggle with the complexity and patience required. Teens and adults who love flight or exploration will find this endlessly engaging.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
95

Pure simulation experience with no violence, conflict, or negative content. Models patience, attention to detail, and respect for complex systems. The experience is calm, methodical, and entirely focused on the joy of flight and exploration. No toxic elements whatsoever.

Imaginative
88

Offers genuine exploration of the entire planet with stunning realism, inviting curiosity about geography, weather systems, and aviation. While it's a realistic simulator rather than fantasy-driven, the freedom to fly anywhere and create custom flight plans sparks wonder and discovery. The limitation is that it's bound by realism—you're not building or creating new content, just exploring what exists.

Safe
92

Exceptionally safe content with no violence, inappropriate themes, or concerning elements. Users can interact online but there's no chat feature. No in-game purchases or loot boxes. The only safety consideration is the learning curve and potential frustration for younger kids who lack patience—it's genuinely difficult and requires focus. No manipulation tactics or compulsive loops.

Enriching
94

Genuinely educational and skill-building. Teaches geography, meteorology, navigation, physics, and aerodynamics through hands-on experience. Builds patience, problem-solving, attention to detail, and spatial reasoning. The realistic cockpits and flight mechanics provide authentic insight into aviation. This is the rare game that could legitimately inspire a career path. High entertainment value for the right audience.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Genuinely educational: teaches geography, weather patterns, navigation, and real aviation principles that could spark a lifelong interest or career
  • Stunning visuals with the entire planet accurately mapped—kids can fly over their own house, visit distant countries, or explore remote landscapes
  • Zero violence, toxicity, or concerning content—just pure exploration and skill-building
  • Rewards patience and attention to detail in a way few games do, building genuine competence and mastery
  • Can be a family bonding experience if parents are into aviation or geography too
⚠

What to Watch For

  • This is not an arcade game—the learning curve is steep and will frustrate kids looking for instant gratification or action
  • Requires expensive hardware (powerful PC or Xbox Series X/S) and the game itself isn't cheap
  • Best for kids who are already interested in planes, not as a way to create that interest from scratch
  • Some kids may find it boring after the initial novelty wears off—it's methodical and slow-paced by design

Conversation Starters

  • "Where in the world would you want to fly? Should we map out a trip to somewhere we've never been?"
  • "What do you think is the hardest part about being a real pilot? How does the simulator make it realistic?"
  • "Can you explain what all those instruments in the cockpit do? Want to research one together?"
  • "What's the difference between flying a small Cessna versus a big commercial jet? Which do you prefer and why?"

Deep Dive

The ultimate "look what this computer can do" flex

Even years after its release, Microsoft Flight Simulator remains the definitive benchmark for home hardware. It isn’t just a game; it’s a 1:1 digital twin of the entire planet. If your kid has ever spent hours on Google Earth zooming in on their own roof or scouting vacation spots, they’ve already played the "lite" version of this.

The magic moment for every player is the same: you spawn at your local municipal airport, find your street, and realize the trees in your front yard are actually there. It’s a level of scale that makes other open-world games feel like tiny backyard sandboxes. For a certain type of kid—the one who builds complex LEGO Technic sets or memorizes dinosaur classifications—this isn't just entertainment. It’s a hobby that happens to live on a screen.

The "boring" barrier to entry

Let’s be blunt: for 90% of kids, this game is a snooze fest. There are no points, no leaderboards, and no missions where you shoot things. If you crash, the screen just fades to black. It’s the anti-Roblox.

The friction starts before you even leave the ground. The initial download is massive, and the loading screens take long enough to go make a sandwich. Once you’re in the cockpit, the learning curve is a vertical wall. If your kid is looking for an arcade experience like Ace Combat, they will be miserable here. This is a title where you spend fifteen minutes just checking fuel levels and adjusting flaps before you even touch the throttle.

However, that friction is exactly why it’s one of the best simulation games for kids who want to feel like they’ve mastered something difficult. There is a genuine sense of competence that comes from successfully landing a Cessna in a crosswind after a forty-minute flight.

How to play it without going broke

This is a premium-priced title that demands high-end hardware, which makes it a risky "maybe" for a birthday gift. The smartest move for parents is to treat it as a trial run. Since it’s a first-party Microsoft title, it’s a staple of the Xbox Game Pass library.

Instead of dropping $70 on a game your kid might find "mid" after two hours, it’s worth checking if Xbox Game Pass is actually saving you money for your specific household. If they love it, you can eventually invest in a dedicated flight stick (the "HOTAS" setups you’ll see on Amazon). If they hate it, you’ve only lost the time it took to download.

If your kid liked X, they might love this

Think of this as the "Final Boss" of specific interests.

  • If they liked Minecraft Creative Mode: They’ll appreciate the "go anywhere, do anything" freedom, but they might miss the ability to change the landscape.
  • If they liked Kerbal Space Program: They’ll love the technical depth and the way the game respects physics.
  • If they liked Euro Truck Simulator: This is the natural progression. It’s the same "zen" of long-distance travel, just with a much better view.

If you want to see the game in action before committing, Common Sense Media has a solid breakdown of the "educational" vs. "frustration" balance. Just know that if your kid does click with it, you’re probably going to be hearing a lot about "nautical miles" and "instrument flight rules" at the dinner table.

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