In an unprecedented move for the gaming industry, Microsoft has officially launched PSVR2 support for “Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024” on the PlayStation 5. This update delivers a high-fidelity virtual reality experience to Sony’s hardware while Xbox Series X|S consoles remain the only major platform without any form of VR support for the simulator.
As of the week of April 20, 2026, Asobo Studio rolled out Sim Update 5, enabling PlayStation VR2 compatibility for the latest entry in the flight simulation franchise. The update allows PS5 and PS5 Pro owners to pilot aircraft using Sony’s Sense controllers or the DualSense, experiencing the entire globe in stereoscopic 3D. This move turns the PS5 into a powerful, affordable entry point for high-end flight simulation VR.
However, this development highlights a growing disparity within Microsoft’s ecosystem. Despite being a Microsoft first-party title, Xbox Series X|S console players are still unable to access any virtual reality features. Microsoft has not signaled any intent to bring VR to its current generation of consoles, leaving the feature set exclusive to PC and now its direct console rival, Sony.
While the update is technically impressive, early analysis indicates the PS5 hardware struggles to match the fluidity of a high-end PC VR rig. According to conducted tests, developers rely on frame duplication to maintain playable frame rates. The result is an experience that hovers close to the standard 30 FPS of the 2D version, which is lower than the 90 FPS typically desired for VR comfort.
“When flying over densely populated areas and large cities like New York City and Tokyo, there can be noticeable drops in frame rate, which impair the experience and could trigger motion sickness,” the report noted.
Furthermore, while the cockpit feels “plastic” and immersive up close, landscape resolution remains “very soft” with shimmering edges in the distance. Despite these limitations, the sheer scale of the simulation—streaming the entire Earth from the cloud—is considered a technical masterpiece for a console VR title.
The absence of VR on Xbox is a policy decision rooted in hardware and strategy. Microsoft has consistently stated that VR for Xbox is not a priority, focusing instead on hybrid gaming between PC and console via Game Pass. This latest update concretely demonstrates the practical outcome of that strategy: a competitor’s platform is now the go-to destination for console-based VR flight simulation.
For investors and industry analysts, this represents a test of Microsoft’s “any screen is a Xbox” philosophy. While the company profits from software sales on PlayStation, it risks alienating its core hardware users who wish to utilize headsets like the Meta Quest for deep simulation.
Looking forward, the success of the PSVR2 version could force a policy reevaluation at Microsoft. If the VR mode on PS5 drives significant sales for “Flight Simulator 2024,” pressure will mount on Xbox leadership to either develop proprietary VR hardware for the next console cycle or open the current Xbox ecosystem to third-party headset support. Until then, simmers on Xbox remain the only audience grounded in 2D.
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