For more than 17 years, Microsoft's
Flight Simulator series has provided hours of enjoyment for veteran pilots and aviation amateurs everywhere. Although the past few versions disappointed hard-core fans, Microsoft's latest,
Flight Simulator 2000 looks to reinvent itself with a host of new and improved features. With overhauled terrain graphics, a revamped flight model and more than 20,000 world-wide airports, this edition is one of the most feature-packed flight simulations on the market.
Though Flight Simulation 2000 is compatible with all aircraft, scenery and adventures from Flight Simulator 98, the new simulation features plenty of additions, including new aircraft, the Concorde and Boeing 777-300, and six new and graphically improved cities to explore: London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago. Vastly improved weather effects complement the highly detailed terrain; Flight Simulator 2000 allows players to download current real-world weather conditions off Microsoft's online gaming service.
Microsoft also offers a slightly higher-priced Flight Simulator 2000 Professional Edition that includes even more features, such as two additional aircraft, six additional detailed cities and a flight dynamics editor. With either simulator, you are guaranteed a much better simulation than its predecessors and one that performs admirably against the current aviation sim crop. --Doug Radcliffe