Flight Simulator update hides retro secret

A new 40th anniversary update to Microsoft’s Flight Simulator lets players access and play classic Flight Simulators in-game

Microsoft’s Flight Simulator was recently updated to celebrate the series’ 40th anniversary, and the update came with a very surprising Easter egg for dedicated long-time players.

As spotted by PC Gamer, in the 40th anniversary update of Microsoft Flight Simulator, owners of the game can now play the first four games in the classic series by getting into a specific plane and entering cockpit view.

According to PC Gamer, players who want to try out playing Flight Simulator within Flight Simulator will need to load up in a Diamond DA62, enter cockpit view, and then flip the ELT switch to the on position. From there, the in-game console will show the classic games, and players can play them in full. The Verge’s Tom Warren showed off the retro Easter egg on YouTube.

The latest iteration of Microsoft Flight Simulator released in 2020, and was widely well-received by press and fans alike. Picture: Microsoft

The four games, which range from 1982’s Flight Simulator all the way up to 1989’s Flight Simulator 4, are all controlled in-game via an on-screen keyboard, all of which must be controlled with the mouse. It’s reportedly not a particularly enjoyable way to play the classic games, but it’s a fun little Easter egg nonetheless, and a nice way to celebrate a series that’s older than even Super Mario Bros.

The anniversary update also comes with a whole host of bug fixes, changes, and new features, alongside helicopters, planes, and gliders. These new vehicles are also featured in two-dozen classic activities from past Flight Simulator titles, including the first flight at Kitty Hawk and a mission involving the Spruce Goose, a massive wooden cargo aircraft built in the late-1940s. The whole list of changes and additions can be found on the game’s official website.

The 40th anniversary update for Microsoft Flight Simulator also adds a host of new aircraft, including helicopters and gliders. Picture: Microsoft

Microsoft’s 2020 Flight Simulator has been very successful and widely well-received, but the same can’t be said for some of the company’s other games. Microsoft Studios head Matt Booty recently spoke about how Halo Infinite “failed at the finish line”, after the game was heavily criticised by players over a lack of meaningful updates.

In other news, classic Atari games were remixed for the company’s anniversary, with six new titles based on beloved games added to a brand-new collection celebrating Atari’s 50th anniversary. The collection, which is available on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and PC, features over 100 classic games from 7 different Atari consoles through the ages.

Written by Oliver Brandt on behalf of GLHF.