Compare realistic flight simulators on PS5, including MSFS 2024, combat alternatives, compatible controls and PSVR2 support.
Yes. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the most realistic full civilian flight simulator on PS5 and PS5 Pro. It models worldwide flying, weather, aircraft systems and career operations. Most other PS5 flying titles favour combat or arcade accessibility, so they are alternatives only if you want action rather than broad civil aviation simulation.
Which PS5 flight simulator is the most realistic?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the clear choice for realistic civilian flying on PS5. Released for PS5 and PS5 Pro on 8 December 2025, it became the first Microsoft Flight Simulator ever released on a PlayStation console.
Its strengths include global scenery, selectable weather conditions, general aviation and airliner operations, functional avionics, air traffic and a structured career mode. Visual realism is especially strong, although the best scenery depends on a reliable internet connection because much of the world data is streamed. Our wider comparison of realistic flight simulators explains how scenery, flight modelling and system depth should be judged separately.
Not every included aircraft is a study-level recreation. Cockpit-system depth varies, and assistance settings can automate rudder control, checklists, radio work, take-off or landing. Disable those aids progressively if you want the simulator to demand proper aircraft management.
Do not confuse it with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, which was never released on PlayStation. Our PS5 release and compatibility guide for MSFS 2024 covers that distinction and the console's add-on restrictions.
Are the other PS5 flying games true simulators?
Most other PS5 flying games reproduce only part of the simulation experience, usually combat, VR interaction or simplified aircraft handling.
| PS5 option | Best for | Main realism limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | Civil aviation, procedures, navigation and worldwide flying | Aircraft system depth varies, and streamed scenery needs a good connection |
| War Thunder | Military aircraft and competitive combat | Simulator Battles are demanding, but it is not a complete civilian or airliner simulator |
| Project Wingman: Frontline 59 | Fast combat and PSVR2 missions | Action-focused handling rather than procedural cockpit simulation |
| Ultrawings 2 | Accessible PSVR2 flying and hands-on cockpit interaction | Fictional aircraft, compact environments and lighter systems modelling |
Choose MSFS 2024 when your priorities are navigation, realistic approaches, aircraft procedures and long-distance flying. War Thunder is the better fit when military combat matters most. The VR-focused titles suit shorter missions and physical immersion, but they are not substitutes for a full civilian simulator.
X-Plane 12 is another serious desktop simulator, but it has no PS5 version. Our X-Plane 12 and MSFS 2024 comparison explains the differences, but X-Plane must be run on a supported computer rather than PlayStation.
What controls do you need for realistic flying on PS5?
The DualSense controller is sufficient to start, but a PS5-compatible flight stick, throttle and rudder control make precise flying much easier.
- Begin with the controller. Learn the camera, throttle, trim and brake bindings before adding extra hardware.
- Reduce assistance gradually. Disable auto-rudder, assisted take-off, assisted landing and AI piloting as your control improves.
- Adjust sensitivity and dead zones. If the aircraft wanders or overreacts, check for noisy axes and duplicate bindings before blaming the flight model.
- Verify console compatibility. A yoke or joystick that works on Windows or Xbox is not automatically supported by PS5. Check both the peripheral manufacturer's PS5 claim and the simulator's supported-device information before buying.
A common mistake we see is buying expensive controls before confirming support. Console hardware is more restricted than PC hardware, and PS5 users also cannot copy PC Community-folder mods directly into the simulator.
Does Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 support PSVR2?
Microsoft announced PSVR2 support for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 as a free update arriving in 2026; it was not part of the original December 2025 PS5 release.
Check that the required update is installed before buying the simulator solely for VR. Project Wingman: Frontline 59 and Ultrawings 2 also provide PSVR2 flying, but their emphasis is combat or accessible mission play rather than full aircraft systems and worldwide civil aviation.
For realistic civilian flying on PS5, MSFS 2024 is the definitive choice. Pick War Thunder for combat, or a PSVR2-focused title when headset immersion matters more than procedural accuracy.