Flight Simulators on PS5: What Are Your Real Options?
Finding decent flight sims on console has gotten complicated with all the misleading “best of” lists flying around. As someone who owns both a beefy PC sim rig and a PS5, I learned everything there is to know about what’s actually available for flight simulation on Sony’s console. Today, I will share it all with you.
Let’s Set Expectations First
I need to be honest with you right up front. If you’re coming from PC flight simming, the PS5 landscape is going to feel limited. Flight simulation has been a PC-dominated genre for decades, and that hasn’t fully changed yet. But there are options worth talking about, and the PS5’s hardware means the potential is definitely there for developers to deliver something great.
The PS5 Hardware Advantage
The PS5 is genuinely powerful. The custom SSD means loading times are fast and environments can be massive without constant pop-in. The DualSense controller’s adaptive triggers and haptic feedback add a dimension to flight controls that honestly surprised me. Pulling back on a trigger and feeling resistance that changes with airspeed? That’s clever design. The GPU and CPU deliver graphics and physics calculations that can support realistic simulation — the capability is there.
What You Can Actually Play
Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Let me break down what’s actually available and worth your time.
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
I know, I know — it’s not a “real” flight simulator. Ace Combat 7 leans heavily toward arcade action. But hear me out. The aircraft models are detailed, the mission design is engaging, and the visual presentation is stunning on PS5 hardware with improved frame rates and resolution. If you want the feeling of flying combat aircraft without memorizing cold-start procedures, Ace Combat delivers that in spades.
I play it between MSFS sessions on PC as a palate cleanser. It’s fun in a way that traditional sims sometimes aren’t, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
War Thunder
War Thunder is free-to-play and includes a massive aviation component spanning World War II through modern jets. The realistic battle mode features detailed flight models that actually require you to manage energy, understand aerodynamics, and fly with intention. It’s not a pure flight sim, but the flying mechanics have genuine depth.
Cross-platform play means you’re connecting with a huge community. I’ve spent more hours in War Thunder’s aviation modes than I’d like to admit. The progression system keeps you coming back, and learning to fly each aircraft effectively is a rewarding challenge.
Controllers and Peripherals — This Matters
The DualSense is surprisingly capable for flight games, but let’s be real — a proper flight stick makes everything better. There’s no PS5-exclusive HOTAS on the market, but many PS4-compatible flight sticks and throttle units work with the PS5. If you’re serious about flight gaming on console, investing in a compatible stick transforms the experience from good to great.
I use a Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS that’s PS4 compatible, and it works perfectly on the PS5. Night and day difference compared to thumb sticks for any kind of flying.
VR Flight Simming on PS5
VR and flight sims go together like peanut butter and jelly. The PS5 supports PlayStation VR2, and the potential for VR flight simulation is enormous. Current options are limited, but this is the space to watch. When a developer brings a proper VR flight sim to PS5, it’s going to be a game-changer. The headset quality is there. The processing power is there. We just need the software to catch up.
What the Future Might Hold
That’s what makes the PS5 endearing to us sim enthusiasts who also game on console — the potential is massive, even if the current library is thin. The hardware can absolutely support a proper flight simulator. As demand grows and developers see the market opportunity, I expect we’ll see more dedicated simulation titles arrive.
Whether that means a port of an existing PC sim or something built from scratch for console, only time will tell. But the appetite is there, and the hardware is ready.
The Community Side
Flight sim communities are passionate regardless of platform. War Thunder has an active PS5 player base, and forums and social media groups are full of console pilots sharing tips, tactics, and clips. Online multiplayer adds a social dimension that keeps these games alive long after you’ve exhausted the single-player content.
If you’re new to flight games, the community is generally welcoming. People remember what it was like to not know how to manage a proper turn or read their instruments. Ask questions, watch tutorials, and practice. That’s how everyone starts.
Can PS5 Flight Games Teach You Anything Real?
Flight simulators, even arcade-leaning ones, can teach real aviation concepts. Navigation principles, instrument reading, aerodynamic basics, even some radio procedures in the more realistic titles. They won’t replace actual flight training, obviously, but they can spark genuine interest in aviation. I know people who started their pilot journey after getting hooked on flight games. The path from virtual cockpit to real cockpit is more common than you’d think.
Where Things Stand
The PS5 isn’t the platform for hardcore flight simulation today. That crown still belongs to PC, and probably will for a while. But for casual flight gaming, combat flying, and accessible aviation experiences, the PS5 offers real value. The hardware foundation is solid, the controller innovation adds immersion, and the future looks promising as the platform matures.
If you’ve got a PS5 and an itch to fly, grab War Thunder for free, pick up Ace Combat 7 on sale, and invest in a compatible flight stick. You’ll have a genuinely good time, and you might just catch the aviation bug.
