Flight Simulator 98

Copyright: KBkids.com

See link to latest product after review!

Microsoft's Flight Simulator program has been around for approximately fifteen years. This makes it one of the oldest programs continually on the market in computer history. Flight Simulator 98 takes advantage of all the latest high-tech advances, making this a superb flight simulation program. Previous "expansion packs" for Flight Simulator have all bee incorporated into this newest version. Flight Simulator 98 is not necessarily an 'easy' program, but it is one of the most advanced and realistic flight simulation programs on the market. This latest upgrade is the most significant in the programs' history.

Flight Simulator 98 allows you to pilot eight different aircraft, including three new ones, the Bell 206B JetRanger III helicopter, a Cessna Skylane 182S, or a Learjet 45. You can fly to over 3,000 different airports around the world, and fly over major cities around the globe. The maps are very details, and the graphics throughout this program are superb. You can practice landings around the world, or plan a flight in 'real time.' If you have a joystick with feedback capabilities, you will also feel the rumble of the plane, making for a much more realistic experience. A new virtual cockpit makes the interior of the airplane much more accurate and realistic.

This is not a true multiplayer game, but it is possible to fly in formation with friends over the Internet, join in on an aerobatic competition, or line up at a busy airport for landing practice along with other Internet players. A new converter is scheduled for release later this year which will make simulations created in Flight Shop usable for this program as well. As mentioned before, all old expansion packs have now been incorporated into this newest version. It appears that no corners were cut, and no expense spared, to make this the most realistic flight simulator on the market.

Is it easy to fly? Definitely not! While the program comes with help manuals and a pilot training course, this will still take some patience. For that reason, this program is best for an older child, teenager or adult. Help is available, so the program is fairly user-friendly, but flying an airplane is not easy. Actually it shouldn't be easy! This is very realistic, and a real airplane is not a piece of cake to fly. You will find yourself crashing into mountains and trying to pull out of ridiculous spins for awhile, but gradually you will get the hang of flying. You will find various preprogrammed flights, adventures and challenges, or you can explore the globe on your own. You will even find that the weather changes as you fly, giving you added challenges and opportunities for learning.

If you have a person in your house who would love to learn to fly, but you just haven't found the nerve, or money, to send them packing to flight school, this is the program to buy. You will be hard pressed to find a flight simulator with as many options, as much realistic flight experience and as much hi-tech flare as Flight Simulator 98

Bottom Line: A superb flight simulation program which will be hard to beat. Patience is needed to learn to fly, but the pay off is a lot of fun.

Ratings: (based on KBkids.com's 4 star rating system)

Overall: 4

BrainGain: 2 1/2

FunFactor: 4

EasePlease: 3

You can still get Microsoft Flight Simulator 98 for a bargain at Amazon, but if you have the money, you may want to try Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000 !