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Flight Simulator X (Windows)

common sense media says

The latest Flight Simulator game is the best yet.

parents & educators say
See all 15 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the recommended age rating of "14 and older" isn't due to graphic material -- Microsoft's Flight Simulator products are family-friendly adventures with no violence, sexual content, or inappropriate language. But this simulation is very challenging and not suitable for younger kids. And for parents who are concerned about post-9/11 sensitivity, you can't crash your plane in this game -- you actually right through buildings (in the default setting). If you want to turn on collision detection, crashing causes the mission to start back at the beginning.

Educational value: Teaches some of the mechanics of flying an airplane.
Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Flight Simulator X

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the challenges commercial pilots face, including poor weather conditions, busy airports, and fuel management. Because you can fly to and from more than 24,000 airports around the world, not to mention take on more than 50 specific missions, families can discuss how important it is for pilots to understand world geography.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Microsoft Game Studios' ambitious FLIGHT SIMULATOR X lets gamers fly two-dozen commercial aircraft -- from the giant Boeing 747-400 to the deHavilland DHC-2 Beaver floatplane and the Bell 206B Helicopter -- with incredibly lifelike graphics that include authentically re-created cockpits, airports, and scenery (even cars and livestock). Players can even choose a season, time of day, the weather conditions, and more. In addition to free-flight modes -- either starting in the air or working with air traffic control to follow protocol and take off from a busy airport -- players can accept more than 50 challenging missions. These missions include successfully completing a transatlantic flight, demonstrating an Airbus A321 at the Paris Air show, dropping relief materials in the Congo, and landing a stunt plane on top of a moving school bus.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Talk about attention to detail: the game lets you fly to or from more than 24,000 airports on seven continents. But be forewarned: Players must install two full DVD-ROMs on a Windows-based machine, totaling an incredible 14 gigabytes of hard drive space. What's more, installation takes about 35 minutes, and another 10 minutes to launch the first time you play. After this, however, it's smooth sailing.

Gamers can join other players online, where one chooses to fly the plane while others assume the role of co-pilot, air traffic control, and so on -- while chatting via a headset. If you don't own a flight stick peripheral, you can easily use a regular console-like gamepad. A recommended pick is the Microsoft Xbox 360 Controller for Windows ($29.99). If you want to try Flight Simulator X before you buy, visit the official Web site to download the playable 817MB demo.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Windows
Available online
Genre: Simulation
Developer: Microsoft
Released on: October 18, 2006
Price: 49.99
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
This review was written by Marc Saltzman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

17

Most useful reviews by all members

Person X
kid, 13 years old
11
 
....llmhuuhhgvtfcdrcx
live
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (6)
dr duck
teen, 15 years old
12
 
Simple flight simulator is easy to play, hard to master
Some open chat, but people hardly ever swear.
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (6)
rpg481
teen, 14 years old
2
 
Very good game
If you reaaly interested of planes i recomend this game
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (6)
jack921
teen, 17 years old
10
 
Great game, but can be confusing for younger kids
It is a very realistic and great simulator, but With realism comes real-life complications. For very young kids, they won't be able to understand the game well enough to enjoy it. However, if you're old enough to understand aircraft systems, etc., you can enjoy the game
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (5)
mficl12
teen, 16 years old
 
Its ok
This game shouldn't be rated by age, it's just how much you know about aviation. Yes, i do know a lot about planes, flying, navigation, everything. a 7 year old could play this, he/she just needs knowledge.
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nsvv
teen, 14 years old
14
 
A good product but too complex for under 14s.
MS Flight simulator X is a very realistic and well made flight simulator, but like all simulators it is extremely complex, and pointless for anybody under the age of 14ish. However, before you buy this product consider an alternative: FlightGear. FlightGear is a more powerful simulator that allows advanced users to share self-built planes and maps, allowing a virtually infinite amount of content. The best thing about FlightGear? It's completely free. However, it is a very complex product and really is only appropriate for 14s or over.
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (5)
Ph0chiz0
teen, 16 years old
13
 
Flyer's delight!
Possibly the most realistic game out, it's mostly used for junkies and professional training, but is a fun alternative that isn't for everyone...
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (5)
SynForLife
teen, 17 years old
 
This game provides values
For an aspiring pilot, believe it or not, you can take the game lessons, go take your hours with an instructor, and get our licsence
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (5)
buzzaldrin
teen, 14 years old
12
 
fun for all
i think it is a great game it is very fun and challenging
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lrthomp
parent of 14 year old
 
Real-world planes and scenery, fun skill development
This game is a favorite in our house, with adults and our 9-yr-old son. The realism is what makes it so appealing - the planes, cockpits, scenery, airports, "fasten seatbelt" sign switches, even engine sounds are completely lifelike. You can take "lessons" or just take off and fly. Our son especially likes customizing the planes, weather conditions, time of day, and departure airport. You can get the jetway to approach the plane at the gate, though we're still figuring out how to do this. Educationally, he's had to develop patience to learn how sensitive the joy stick is with different planes, and how to turn without losing altitude, and how to teach Mom. Admittedly, he also likes to crash planes into the ground - on high settings a small smokey fire errupts. Some of his friends find the game boring ("no action") but his closer friends think it's "cool." You need a powerful computer with TONS of RAM to run the program properly.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (4)
mintoman
teen, 17 years old
17
 
FLight simulator
It is good because it is like a simulator at your home
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)
leonard727
teen, 13 years old
7
 
Great Game
It can be hard to fly sometimes, but take tutorials and you will be an ace pilot. 5 out of 5
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tbone09
adult
17
 
this good wow!!
its just a really great game to play,
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)
avitarfan1
teen, 14 years old
11
 
it can be hard
this is awsome! i love this game i am on it 24/7! i love flying and crashin the planes!
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)
coolboyfrank
adult
 
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (4)

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
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