Evolution of Microsoft Flight Simulator (1982-2023)

It’s unbelievable how much Microsoft Flight Simulator has evolved from 1982 to 2022, this is the Evolution of Microsoft Flight Simulator! ✈️

00:00 Intro
01:11 Origins
01:52 Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0
02:49 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2.0
03:19 Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0
03:57 Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.0
05:00 Microsoft Flight Simulator 98
05:25 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000
07:13 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002
08:00 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004
08:40 Microsoft Flight Simulator X
10:34 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

Credits
by Josef Havlík

by Xbox

by Mike Rivest

by Campion pe Sate

by GAME

by Airforceproud95

by moviemaniacsDE

by Flight Sim

by Paramount Pictures

by Microsoft Flight Simulator

by Variable

[StreetComp]

I’ve been flying since late 80s and I never once said the graphics/audio on this is terrible, it was the opposite in fact - we were amazed that such a thing existed and every new version just added to that amazement, and we just accepted the low frame rate as that was the best our computers could do and still enjoyed all the hours spent with it.

[cdarw]

Thank you for putting this together. I was a senior in HS in 1983/84 playing FS on a Commodore 64. The improvement in graphics over 40 years has been breathtaking! Your video chronicles this journey perfectly!

[dmkiii]

What a trip down memory lane. I started with SubLogic's FS and I've bought and owned every single version of FS you showed in this video. I remember being "blown away" by the improvements in each release. I also remember having to build or buy a new computer for each release as well in order to have the computer H.P. needed to fly each new version at its best. I've been a sim junkie since the first one (licensed pilot here) and enjoy it now more than ever. Thanks for this great vid. I remember each version so well. hahah

[LievenSerge]

I can't believe how amazed I was playing FS3 as a kid. My memory of its graphics exceed its reality by a landslide. lol

[linelevelmedia]

Flight Simulator 98 was my first foray into the series, and I was blown away. 25 years later, I continue to be blown away by it all. Thanks for making such a well produced video!

[freeman]

The best thing MSFS brought to me is VR. I purchased my first VR headset just to enhance my fly experience in MSFS. Then I realized how amazing VR itself is.

[-AnimationYT]

Your channel is one of the few underrated and 'hidden' gems on YouTube; I am beyond belief on how these videos dont get the recognition they deserve

[Eagle_the_th]

Glad you mentioned IL2 as a notable competition to MFS. Even 20 years on the original is one of my all-time favourite games. The graphics still hold up to this day and the modding community helps keep it alive

[mysteriouspikachuman]

'The experience has improved somewhat since the original version'
8-bit pixel art to virtual world in the corner of your room, definitely an improvement but just a little bit.

[thatguy]

I had that 1982 program 🙂
I played it on a military computer on my ship in the superstructure of an aircraft carrier in a tiny closet.
I’ve had every MicroSoft sim after that.

[FlightSimmer]

I've always loved Flatlife's videos. They are always highly detailed and informative. Looking forward for more informative videos.
Keep it up!

[gfhtyty]

Man your videos your voice fits just perfect
Please don't ever stop providing us such amazing content

[MyNameIsntTom]

I'm surprised that in the span of 40 years the graphics have improved this much

[HarrierPanels]

Great review of the Evolution of Microsoft Flight Simulator! Gotta give credit to the awesome addons, both free and paid, that level up the sim. These addons have been a game-changer since Microsoft Flight Simulator 98, and they deserve a big shoutout for their role in the sim's evolution. Keep up the fantastic work!

[muskiet]

Microsoft did throw in the spin-off "Microsoft Flight" in 2012.
Not many liked it's limited scenery and planes, but it did look fantastic for the time and introduced the Icon A5 to flight simulators, which is now again one of the free aircraft.

[edifyguy]

I'm a little surprised I sat through this whole infomercial, but it was well done, and there's no question, 2020 is beautiful. I played a different 80s flight sim, Chuck Yeager's Advanced Flight Trainer, for many, many hours over many years of my childhood. It has created an itch to fly that will probably never really get scratched, but I'm grateful for the opportunities that sims provide.

[Bburner]

What a wonderful nostalgic trip down memory lane. I came on board relatively late with FS2002, but have made up for lost time rather quickly.

[chasefreedman]

2:25 bro looks like he’s gonna cause a canon event

[rixxy]

Played since FS1.0 Didn't know how to do anything in that game, but the Europe 1917 model was really fun and blowing up enemy planes into tiny dots ironically got me into flying.

[roystoys]

I've used all of these versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator, and am currently a user of MSFS. In my humble opinion, MSFS-2020 is not an "upgrade" of FSX. It's a whole new entity. Also, many useful/needed functions in FSX, and usability/operating features, were left out of MSFS, making the latter not a true upgrade. Asobo took liberties in claiming MSFS is a "40th Anniversary" simulator. Asobo, three years later, is scrambling to put the missing FSX features back in.