Every edition of Flight Simulator has its own distinctive cover. Therefore, the designs of covers and manuals can provide a good clue to the identity of each version. Needless to say, a great number of them have been issued since 1980, and what is more, there were often more variants available.

The first examples shown here represent manuals of subLOGIC Flight Simulator 1 for Apple II (blue, green and yellow covers). Here are actually the very first editions plus the following edition on a MG cassette. Why three colors for the same version? You can find an answer on a special page.

The early issue of subLOGIC Flight Simulator 1 for Apple II (rare manuals with blue and green covers)

The early issue of subLOGIC Flight Simulator 1 for Apple II - the most common yellow cover (left)

The later issue of subLOGIC Flight Simulator 1 for Apple II - the most common yellow cover (right)

           The next edition, released on a 5.25” floppy disc, contained the same manual as the MG cassette version, but it also included a card describing the use of the disc version and a green paper sheet. The whole package was wrapped in a plastic bag. There was not a box cover.

The green card for disk issue of subLOGIC Flight Simulator 1 for Apple II (left)

 The additional yellow instruction card for disk issue in the original plastic bag (right)

            subLOGIC Flight Simulator 1 for TRS-80 saw several editions with different manuals too. The disc version then comprised an additional card, which describes disk dissimilarities  and a green paper sheet. The cassette version as well as the disk version was distributed in a plastic bag only (still not in a paper box cover).

The early issue of subLOGIC Flight Simulator 1 for TRS-80 user manual (left)

The later issue of subLOGIC Flight Simulator 1 for TRS-80 user manual (right)

The green card for disk issue of subLOGIC Flight Simulator 1 for TRS-80 (left)

 The additional green instruction card for disk issue (right)

            In 1982 Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.00 for IBM PC on a 5.25” floppy disc came out. Its manual was stored in a small perforated cardboard box.

The green box with square hole in the middle - you can see the Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.00 manual inside (left)

 The Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.00 user manual (right)

            The period between 1983 and 1987 saw the release of a number of subLOGIC Flight Simulator II editions for numerous platforms (see the timeline section for more details). The medium, manual, flight physics description and the keyboard map were distributed in a typical VHS cassette format paper box.

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for Apple II (version 1.0) box cover (left)

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for Apple II (version 1.05) box cover (right)

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for Apple II (version 2.0) box cover (left)

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for Apple II (the special edition) box cover (right)

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for Atari (8-bit) box cover

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for Commodore 64 (v 1.01 on MG cassette) box cover (left)

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator II Commodore 64 (v 1.01 on floppy disk) box cover (right)

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for Commodore 64 (v 1.05 on floppy disk) box cover (left)

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for Commodore 64 (German edition) box cover (right)

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for DATA GENERAL One, box cover (left)

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for Tandy Color Computer 3, box cover (right)

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for NEC PC-9801F/VF/VM, box cover (left)

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for NEC PC-9801U2/UV2, box cover (right)

          The Amiga and Atari ST releases have a bit bigger paper boxes.

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for Amiga, box cover (left)

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for Atari ST (release 1.1 color and monochrome support) box cover (right)

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for Atari ST (release 1.0 color only support) box cover (left)

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for Atari ST (French edition) box cover (right)

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for Atari ST (German edition) box cover

            The same type of package was used for editions of subLOGIC Flight Simulator with Torpedo Attack for MSX and NEC PC-8801. The boxes were made of plastic.

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator with Torpedo Attack for MSX, box cover (left)

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator with Torpedo Attack for NEC PC-8801, box cover (right)

            In 1987, Atari XE console packages included subLOGIC Flight Simulator II on a cartridge, which was distributed in a plastic bag with a black/white manual.

The subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for Atari XE, the cover of the manual

            Microsoft Flight Simulator 2 for IBM PC, issued in 1984, and all 2.x modifications had a manual with ring binding and a solid paper cover. The covers of 2.10 and 2.10A modifications were the same green colour as the cover of 1.00 (1.05) version, so it was not difficult to get these two versions mixed up. The medium and the manual for 2.10 and 2.10A versions were sold in the same green paper box (with the same design as the manual). The manuals of later versions 2.12, 2.13 and 2.14 were already in a typical blue colour. There were not paper boxes for blue manuals. The Special Edition for AST research has its manual in a blue three ring binder.

The paper box for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2.10 for IBM PC (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2.10 for IBM PC, the cover of the manual (right)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2.12 for IBM PC, the cover of the manual (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2.13 for IBM PC, the cover of the manual (right)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2.14 for IBM PC, the cover of the manual (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2.12 for IBM PC (the special edition for AST Research), the cover of the manual (right)

            The covers of the editions for Tandy computers (version 2.12), Apple Macintosh (versions 1.00 and 1.02) and Texas Instruments Professional Computer (1.00) were very similar to IBM PC editions.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.00 for Texas Instruments Professional Computer, the cover of the manual (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2.12 for Tandy 1000, 1200HD,2000, the cover of the manual (right)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.00 for Apple Macintosh, the cover of the manual

            The following editions of Microsoft Flight Simulator 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 5.1 for PC came in familiar large paper boxes containing media, manual and additional materials. The 5.0 version was released in two slightly different boxes (USA and Canada edition x not USA edition). There is a special offer edition - together with MS DOS 6.2 update. The 5.1 version was released on 3.5" floppy disks and the first time on CD ROM as well (two different editions).

Microsoft Flight Simulator 3.0 for IBM PC and compatible, the paper box (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0 for IBM PC, the paper box (right)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.0 (USA edition), the paper box (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.0 (international edition), the paper box (right)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.0 (the special offer edition), the paper box (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.1 (3.5inch floppy disk edition), the paper box (right)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.1 (CD ROM edition), the paper box (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.1 (CD ROM and bonus pack), the paper box (right)

             The paper box covers of Microsoft Flight Simulator 3.0 for Tandy/IBM PC, Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0 for Apple Macintosh, Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0 for NEC PC-9800 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.0a for NEC PC-9821/ PC-9800/ PC-H98 computers have nearly the same design as the same called versions for IBM PC compatible computers. In fact, they are differing by text labels only, but I show the boxes here to give you complete information. Here is presented another box cover of MSFS 3.0 for Tandy/IBM PC as well.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 3.0 for Tandy/IBM PC, the paper box (left)

The different paper box for Microsoft Flight Simulator 3.0 for Tandy/IBM PC (right)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0 for Apple Macintosh, the paper box (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.0a for NEC PC-9821/ PC-9800/ PC-H98, the paper box (right)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0 for NEC PC-9800, the paper box (left)

             Since 1996 it has become easy to identify a concrete version by the designation on the box.

Microsoft Flight Simulator for Windows 95, the paper box (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 98, the paper box (right)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000 Professional edition, the paper box (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 Professional edition, the paper box (right)

            It should be noted that besides “professional editions” of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000 and 2002 there is also a “standard edition” with a different cover.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000 standard edition, the paper box (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 standard edition, the paper box (right)

           There exist few language mutations, for example German edition of Flight Simulator for Windows 95, Japanese edition of Flight Simulator 98 or Spanish editions of Flight Simulator for Windows 95, Flight Simulator 98 and Flight Simulator 2000.

Microsoft Flight Simulator for Windows 95 German language edition, the paper box (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 98 Japanese language edition, the paper box (right)

Microsoft Flight Simulator for Windows 95 Spanish language edition, the paper box (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 98 Spanish language edition, the paper box (right)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000 Spanish language edition, the paper box

           There have been released some re-editions, which were sold for relatively low price. For example: Microsoft Flight Simulator 95, 98 or 2002 Standard edition.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 98 the re-edition by XPLOSIV, the box cover (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 98  the re-edition with some other products, the box cover (right)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 98, the German re-edition, the box cover (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator for Windows 95,  the re-edition, the box cover (right)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002, the re-edition by Ubisoft, the box cover (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002, the re-edition by XPLOSIV, the box cover (right)

           Here are the cover boxes of the Combat Flight Simulator series. Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator, Combat Flight Simulator 3,

Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator, the box cover (left)

Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 3, the box cover (right)

the Japanese Combat Flight Simulator 2 issue and "the rest of world" issue box cover.

Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2, the edition for Japan, the box cover (left)

Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2, the international edition, the box cover (right)

           MS Flight Simulator 2004 was released in a classical paper box but there are more often seen editions in a DVD case (on CDs). There exist a special edition of MS Flight Simulator 2004 in a metal box and also there is OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) DVD release (without box cover).

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004, the box cover (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004, the special metal box cover (right)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004, Russian edition (made by Fargus), the box cover

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004, the German language edition, the box cover (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004, the French language edition, the box cover (right)

            The newest Microsoft Flight Simulator X was released in two announced editions – Deluxe and Standard. It is interesting that some European Deluxe editions, for example Italian, German, Spanish and French, are marked as Professional edition. The editions are in a DVD case. The USA/Canada editions have extra paper sleeve and the DVD case is a bit fatter than European edition. The Japanese edition is in a big paper box. It should be mentioned that Microsoft released an official playable demo of Flight Simulator X as well. The latest product is Microsoft Flight Simulator X Acceleration Expansion Pack - an official Microsoft add-on for Flight Simulator X.

Microsoft Flight Simulator X, Deluxe edition, the box cover (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator X, Standard edition, the box cover (right)

Microsoft Flight Simulator X, Spanish language edition, the box cover (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator X, Italian language edition, the box cover (right)

Microsoft Flight Simulator X, the cover of the playable demo (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator X, Chinese language edition, the box cover (right)

Microsoft Flight Simulator X, Ukraine edition (in Russian language), the box cover (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator X Acceleration Expansion Pack, the box cover (right)

Microsoft Flight Simulator X Acceleration Expansion Pack, Russian edition, the box cover (left)

Microsoft Flight Simulator X Gold edition, the box cover (right)

           Microsoft Flight and Microsoft Flight Simulator X : Steam edition have not box covers, because they were sold only by Internet download. Sometimes you can see an imitation of boxes on Internet.

Microsoft Flight, the fictional cover - the real box cover does not exist (left)

Microsoft Flight Flight Simulator X Steam edition, the fictional cover - the real box cover does not exist (right)

Microsoft Flight Simulator

© 2005 - 2021 Josef  Havlík