Compare the best flight simulator games for PS5, including MSFS 2024, PSVR2 and combat options, with each game's key limitation explained.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the best flight simulator game for PS5 and PS5 Pro, offering the strongest civilian aircraft simulation, global scenery and structured activities. For PSVR2, choose Ultrawings 2; for combat, pick War Thunder for simulation-leaning multiplayer or Project Wingman and Ace Combat 7 for accessible arcade action.
Best PS5 flight simulator games compared
For most players, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the clear first choice, but the right game depends on whether realistic civilian flying, virtual reality or combat matters most.
| Game | Best for | PS5 and VR status | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | Realistic civilian flying, airliners and world exploration | Native PS5 and PS5 Pro; PSVR2 support through a free 2026 update | Needs a good internet connection for its richest scenery; console add-ons are restricted |
| Ultrawings 2 | Flight-focused PSVR2 play | Designed for PS5 and PSVR2 | Stylised and much less detailed than MSFS 2024 |
| War Thunder | Online military aircraft and simulation-leaning battles | Native PS5; no PSVR2 support | Free-to-play progression and an online focus |
| Project Wingman: Frontline 59 | Fast single-player jet combat and selected VR missions | Native PS5; Frontline 59 content supports PSVR2 | The main campaign is not playable in PSVR2 |
| Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown | Accessible, cinematic jet combat | PS4 game playable through PS5 backward compatibility | Arcade handling; its original VR content does not support PSVR2 |
Why is Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 the best PS5 flight simulator?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the only PS5 release that provides a serious, world-scale civilian flight simulation with general aviation aircraft, airliners, weather, navigation and a structured career system.
It launched on PS5 and PS5 Pro on 8 December 2025, becoming the first Microsoft Flight Simulator released for a PlayStation console. Our PS5 release and platform breakdown explains the supported consoles and the distinction from Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.
The DualSense controller is sufficient for sightseeing and learning the basics, but precise landings improve with separate rudder, throttle and flight controls. Before buying a yoke, HOTAS or pedals, confirm explicit PS5 and MSFS 2024 compatibility: a peripheral advertised for PC or Xbox is not automatically recognised by PlayStation.
An internet connection is strongly recommended because much of the detailed world data is streamed. PS5 users also cannot install arbitrary PC Community-folder packages. Compatible aircraft and scenery are obtained through the simulator's Marketplace, and not every PC product reaches PlayStation; our explanation of how the in-simulator Marketplace works covers the practical restrictions.
We recommend the Standard Edition for most first-time buyers. Pay for a higher edition only when it contains particular aircraft or enhanced airports you already know you want.
Which PS5 flight game is best for PSVR2?
Ultrawings 2 is the safest choice when native PSVR2 flying is the priority and you do not need realistic global scenery.
It uses a stylised world and simplified aircraft, but the cockpit interaction, flying tasks and VR perspective make it a better fit for headset-first play than a flat-screen combat game. It should be treated as an approachable VR flying game rather than an airliner or procedural simulator.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024's PSVR2 support is tied to a free 2026 update rather than the original PS5 release. Check that the required update is installed before buying hardware specifically for MSFS VR.
Project Wingman: Frontline 59 is the combat alternative, but only its Frontline 59 content supports PSVR2; the main Project Wingman campaign remains flat-screen. Ace Combat 7's VR missions were made for the original PlayStation VR system and do not work with PSVR2.
Which PS5 flight simulator is best for combat?
War Thunder is the closest PS5 option to a military flight simulator, while Project Wingman and Ace Combat 7 are better described as flight-action games.
- Choose War Thunder for online aircraft combat, a large selection of military machines and Simulator Battles. Its progression system and multiplayer structure will not suit players seeking a self-contained campaign.
- Choose Project Wingman: Frontline 59 for fictional aircraft, large engagements, a single-player campaign and limited PSVR2 support.
- Choose Ace Combat 7 for polished missions, straightforward controller handling and cinematic combat. Its physics and weapon systems deliberately favour accessibility over simulation.
DCS World is not available on PS5. Players considering a gaming PC for more detailed combat systems can use our civilian-versus-combat simulator comparison to see how DCS and Microsoft Flight Simulator differ.
Are X-Plane, DCS or Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 on PS5?
X-Plane 12, DCS World and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 are not available on PS5.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 remained exclusive to PC and Xbox; the PlayStation release is Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. X-Plane 12 is a desktop simulator rather than a console game, and our comparison of X-Plane 12 and MSFS 2024 explains the flight-model, scenery and platform differences.
Which PS5 flight simulator should you choose?
Choose according to the type of flying you intend to do rather than treating every aircraft game as an equivalent simulator.
- Best overall: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
- Best dedicated PSVR2 option: Ultrawings 2.
- Best online combat simulation: War Thunder.
- Best PSVR2 combat action: Project Wingman: Frontline 59.
- Best accessible jet campaign: Ace Combat 7.