We can classify air combat simulators using different criteria: the historical period in which the simulator was set in, the type of plane or helicopter in which it specializes in, how realistic it is, or is available only in solo is or also multi-player (among other possible criteria). This list has classified each combat flight simulator following these historical classification criterion. Simulators on this list are grouped by conflict or historical period they represent. The order of appearance within each group follows the chronological order of the release of each simulator to the public. So below is a comprehensive list of PC flight combat simulators.
Knights of the Sky, by MicroProse (1990)
Red Baron, by Sierra Entertainment (1990)
Dawn Patrol,by Rowan Software (1994)
Wings of Glory, by Origin Systems (1994)
Flying Corps, by Empire Interactive (1996)
Red Baron II, by Sierra (1997)
Red Baron 3D,by Sierra (1998)
First Eagles: The Great War 1918, by Third Wire (2007)
Rise of Flight: The First Great Air War, by 777 Studios (2009)
Table of Contents
World War II
Their Finest Hour, by LucasFilm Games (1989)
Chuck Yeager’s Air Combat, by Electronic Arts (1991)
Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe,by LucasFilm Games (1991)
Aces of the Pacific, by Dynamix Sierra (1992)
B-17 Flying Fortress, by Vektor Grafix (1992)
Aces Over Europe, by Sierra (1993)
1942: The Pacific Air War,by Microprose (1994)
Air Warrior,by Kesmai (1995)
Fighter Ace, by VR-1 Russia/BST Soft (1997)
European Air War, by Microprose (1998)
Combat Flight Simulator WWII Europe Series, by Microsoft Games Studio (1998)
Fighter Squadron: The Screamin’ Demons Over Europe, by Parsoft/Activision (1999)
Jane’s WWII Fighters, by Jane’s Combat Simulations (1999)
Aces High, by HiTech Creations (2000)
B-17 Flying Fortress: The Mighty 8th, by Wayward Design (2000)
Combat Flight Simulator 2, by Microsoft Games Studio (2000)
Rowan’s Battle of Britain,by Empire Interactive (2000)
IL-2 Sturmovik, by 1C:Maddox Games (2001)
Combat Flight Simulator 3, by Microsoft Games Studio (2002)
Pacific Fighters, by 1C:Maddox Games (2004)
Battle of Britain II: Wings of Victory, by A2A Simulations (2005)
IL-2 Sturmovik: 1946,by 1C:Maddox Games (2006)
IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey, by Gaijin Entertainment (2009)
IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover, by 1C:Maddox Games (2011)
Birds of Steel, by Gaijin Entertainment (2012)
IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad,by 1C Game Studios (2013)
War Thunder, by Gaijin Entertainment (2013)
Korean War
Chuck Yeager’s Air Combat, by Electronic Arts (1991)
MiG Alley, by Rowan Software (1999)
Vietnam War
Chuck Yeager’s Air Combat, by Electronic Arts (1991)
Flight of the Intruder, by Spectrum-Holobyte (1991)
Wings Over Vietnam, by Third Wire (2004)
Strike Fighters 2: Vietnam, by Third Wire (2009)
Aircraft and modern helicopters (including the fourth and fifth generation fighter aircraft)
F-15 Strike Eagle, by MicroProse (1985)
F-15 Strike Eagle II, by MicroProse (1989)
F-22 Interceptor, by Ingram Entertainment (1991)
F-15 Strike Eagle III, by MicroProse (1993)
EF2000,by Digital Image Design (1995)
F-22 Lightning II, by NovaLogic (1996)
F-22 Raptor, by NovaLogic (1997)
F-22 Air Dominance Fighter, by Digital Image Design (1997)
Jane’s AH-64D Longbow,by Jane’s Combat Simulations (1996)
Jane’s Longbow 2,by Jane’s Combat Simulations (1997)
Jane’s F-15, by Jane’s Combat Simulations (1998)
Falcon 4.0, by MicroProse (1998)
F-22 Lightning 3, by NovaLogic (1999)
Jane’s F/A-18, by Jane’s Combat Simulations (1999)
Eurofighter Typhoon, by Digital Image Design (2001)
Lock On: Modern Air Combat, by Eagle Dynamics (2003)
Falcon 4.0: Allied Force, by Lead Pursuit (2005)
Digital Combat Simulator, by Eagle Dynamics (2008)