X-Box and other nonPC flightsims?

[Blitzen]

I've been asked to recommend a simple flight sim for an older infirm man with no experience ( save being a helicopter pilot in Vietnam..)with any sort of inhome sim.It should be simple to install,probablt witha simple joystick , and easy to install and play. It need not be the best money can buy, and need not include every aircraft and helicopter on earth. Maybe some sort of ground level starter package.I don't know anything about non-PC sims and need some help.Thanks!

[Aapje]

For the Xbox, there are really only two options, MSFS and War Thunder.

MSFS 2024 is a good place to start. It already includes a bunch of planes that are easy to fly by default:

• Asobo Savage Cub
• AeroElvira Optica
• Asobo Icon A5
• Cessna 152
• Cessna 172

It has a bunch of assists you can turn on to make it easier. There are also a lot of places to explore, which helps with the motivation to keep learning. He can graduate to more complex planes at his own pace. You can't blow stuff up, though. It is not a combat sim.

You can get a whole bunch of planes/heli's from the store, so lots of choices. Just be warned that helicopters have high demands on the controls, so it is hard to create a sim setup that does them justice (and probably impossible on Xbox).

For the joystick, I would probably get the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick. Not because it is particularly good. It is a closed ecosystem and all options are mediocre at best. But it seems to be the least bad option for the Xbox and fits the brief of only having a stick, and no throttle or pedals.

[Blitzen]

21 hours ago, Aapje said:

For the Xbox, there are really only two options, MSFS and War Thunder.

MSFS 2024 is a good place to start. It already includes a bunch of planes that are easy to fly by default:

• Asobo Savage Cub
• AeroElvira Optica
• Asobo Icon A5
• Cessna 152
• Cessna 172

It has a bunch of assists you can turn on to make it easier. There are also a lot of places to explore, which helps with the motivation to keep learning. He can graduate to more complex planes at his own pace. You can't blow stuff up, though. It is not a combat sim.

You can get a whole bunch of planes/heli's from the store, so lots of choices. Just be warned that helicopters have high demands on the controls, so it is hard to create a sim setup that does them justice (and probably impossible on Xbox).

For the joystick, I would probably get the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightstick. Not because it is particularly good. It is a closed ecosystem and all options are mediocre at best. But it seems to be the least bad option for the Xbox and fits the brief of only having a stick, and no throttle or pedals.

Can I buy everthing he'll need say at Best Buy or say Amazon.I'd like to avoid a Steam download and install.It may be too complex for him to start with.I am totally unfamiliar with XBox games.

[Aapje]

Xbox has their own store where you can buy it. It's also included in game pass, so if the person has game pass, they can already play it.

The Turtle Beach Flightstick is available both on Best Buy and Amazon.

[Gutholz]

Just to make sure: Which Xbox?

The Ace Combat series is popular, but an arcade game not sim.

[Blitzen]

So to get this friend started , what does he need? Any sort of special TV that is compatible withXBox?I see there are various counsols as well...which would be the most reasonable and would work? I imagine he'll be playing from a couch...?

[Aapje]

Get the Series X (faster one). Any TV that is more modern than the Flintstones will work. Just plug the HDMI Out port of the console into the HDMI In port of the TV.

Another option is to get a computer monitor. A cheap monitor will probably be a lot better than a cheap or rather old TV.

Quote

I imagine he'll be playing from a couch...?

You need to figure this stuff out with your friend, since it will matter. For example, where is the joystick going to go? It needs a stable surface. With a dedicated PC monitor, you can also put everything on a separate desk.

There are also racing wheel stands that can be put in front of a couch, like the Super Warthog Wheel Stand Pro.

And apparently you still need a keyboard and mouse to set things up comfortably. The Logitech K400 Plus is a convenient keyboard that many people use for such things, since it has a build-in trackpad.

[AndreiTomescu]

19 hours ago, Aapje said:

cheap monitor will probably be a lot better than a cheap or rather old TV.

IMHO, a TV is more suitable for a person with glasses. I am speaking from experience.

Then goes the question which console?

Xbox360 are very cheap now, but only with older games.