From the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 to the Amiga, Atari ST and the mighty 486 PC, we asked the Grim Reapers community which flight simulator first got them hooked. The response became a glorious journey through flight-sim history.
One Simple Question, Hundreds of Memories
We recently asked our Facebook community a simple question:
Which simulator started you on flight sims?
We expected a few familiar names and perhaps the occasional argument over whether something technically counted as a simulator.
What we received instead was a wave of nostalgia involving enormous instruction manuals, computers that could barely run the games, dial-up multiplayer, early flight sticks and many hours spent unsuccessfully attempting to connect with an air-to-air refuelling basket.
The answers stretched across several generations of home computing, from the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and BBC Micro to the Amiga, Atari ST, early Macintosh systems and the increasingly expensive world of PC upgrades.
Many people named more than one game, so this was not a strict one-person, one-vote poll. We counted each clear mention of a title or series to produce a rough community ranking.
Updated Snapshot of the Results
The original Facebook discussion is still active, with new memories, photographs and simulator collections continuing to appear.
The figures below are an updated snapshot of all clear mentions counted up to 8.30pm BST on 13/07/2026.
Replies that simply said “I loved it” or “I had that” were not added to the totals unless the simulator was named or clearly identified.
The Results So Far
1. EF2000 — 23 mentions
Digital Image Design’s EF2000 has strengthened its position at the top of the Grim Reapers community ranking.
It was remembered for its dynamic campaign, Norwegian setting, impressive graphics, detailed manuals and early multiplayer experiences. Several commenters also admitted buying it before owning a computer powerful enough to run it properly.
Campbell McGill summed up that experience perfectly:
“I bought EF2000 but my PC could barely run it. Luckily I was mostly happy just reading the manual!”
Enslin van Niekerk remembered:
“Spent hours upon hours tearing through the Norwegian fjords!”
The newer comments added even more remarkable memories.
Rob Doran wrote:
“I was an AWACS fighter controller stationed in Japan at the time. I was the liaison to the three F-15 squadrons on base. If I wasn’t flying IRL, we were on EF2000.”
Jim Fin remembered the excitement of release day:
“Remember travelling 80 miles to get it on launch day, faster than the actual jet on my way home to play it.”
The maps, manuals and radio calls were remembered almost as clearly as the flying itself. One commenter even recalled the familiar air-traffic-control response:
“Negative, hold off—airfield busy.”
For many players, EF2000 did not merely simulate an aircraft. It created the feeling of being one small part of a much larger air campaign.
2. The Falcon Series — 18 mentions
The Falcon series has closed the gap considerably.
From the original Falcon on the Atari ST and Macintosh to Falcon 3.0 and the legendary Falcon 4.0, the series introduced generations of virtual pilots to the F-16 and the wider world of realistic combat aviation.
Niels Bjørk Nørrelykke told us:
“My first meeting with flight simulations was with Spectrum Holobytes Falcon A.T on PC back in 1991.”
Falcon was frequently praised for its manuals, tactical depth and multiplayer capabilities.
Rich Hull remembered:
“Met guys from all over the world flying on Microsoft Zone. Some of which I am in touch with today over 20 years on!”
Rez Manzoori recalled the sound design of Falcon 3.0:
“Wearing headphones and having an almost constant white noise on in the background was absolute magic. It really made it immersive for me.”
Falcon’s community, dynamic campaign and extraordinary longevity mean it remains one of the most important combat-flight-simulation series ever created.
3. TFX — 12 mentions
TFX has also gained further support.
Its graphics, atmosphere, soundtrack and ambitious missions made a lasting impression. As with EF2000, many players remember discovering that owning the game and being able to run it smoothly were two very different achievements.
One commenter recalled crossing the border at treetop height while listening to ZZ Top, describing the combination as “epic”.
For many virtual pilots, TFX represented the moment flight simulators began to feel truly cinematic.
4. F-19 and F-117 Stealth Fighter — 11 mentions
MicroProse’s stealth-fighter games remain close behind.
Players remembered flying F-19 Stealth Fighter and F-117A on the Commodore 64, Amiga and early PCs, often before moving on to Falcon, TFX or the Jane’s series.
Stuart Chappell wrote:
“After reading this and shedding a tear or three, I thought I’d share my collection of old sims I used to play back in the day. I first started on F19 on the C64.”
The graphics may appear simple now, but route planning, radar avoidance and the tension of trying to return home undetected created unforgettable experiences.
5. Microsoft Flight Simulator and Combat Flight Simulator — 10 mentions
The Microsoft family of simulators has moved into fifth place.
The answers included early versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator, Flight Simulator 95 and 98, and all three major Combat Flight Simulator games.
For some people, Microsoft Flight Simulator introduced the pleasure of simply flying. For others, Combat Flight Simulator became the gateway to increasingly complex military aviation games.
The latest comments also highlighted the importance of Microsoft Zone, where players met fellow virtual pilots from around the world and formed friendships that continued long after the original servers disappeared.
6. The F-15 Strike Eagle Series — 8 mentions
The various F-15 Strike Eagle games remain another important starting point, particularly on the Spectrum, Commodore, Amiga and early IBM-compatible PCs.
Ross Farquharson told us:
“F-15 Strike Eagle was my first combat flight sim for my first IBM PC.”
The series appeared in several forms, including F-15 Strike Eagle II and III, and was often remembered as a player’s first “proper” combat flight simulator.
The Games Climbing the Rankings
Although they have not yet reached the top six, several simulators received a noticeable boost in the latest comments.
Tornado was repeatedly praised for its detailed mission planning and terrain-following radar.
Stephen Meldal Foged wrote:
“Mission planning was excellent… then flying the mission with ground-hugging radar.”
F-16 Combat Pilot also gained several new mentions.
Dimitris Graikopoulos remembered spending hours preparing the aircraft and choosing weapons before each mission—an early example of how much enjoyment flight-sim players can find before the aircraft has even left the ground.
The new comments also included more nominations for:
F/A-18 Interceptor, Jane’s ATF, Jane’s Longbow, Gunship, European Air War, Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe, A-10 Tank Killer, LHX Attack Chopper, Birds of Prey, Fighter Pilot, IL-2 and Interceptor.
More Than Just the Games
The most interesting part of the discussion remains the depth of the memories surrounding these simulators.
People remembered:
- Travelling long distances on release day.
- Reading manuals because their computers could not run the game.
- Keeping maps, boxes, discs and reference cards for decades.
- Preparing detailed weapon loads before missions.
- Using early joysticks to attempt air-to-air refuelling.
- Connecting over dial-up or Microsoft Zone.
- Meeting friends online who remain friends more than 20 years later.
- Playing virtual combat-flight simulators after spending the day working alongside or flying real military aircraft.
The comments also revealed just how many people still own their original collections.
Rez Manzoori wrote:
“Seeing so many people have kept their old simulators has made me feel so much better!”
The next problem, of course, is working out how to run them all again on a modern computer.
The Community Favourite—For Now
Based on the comments counted up to 8.30pm BST on 13/07/2026, EF2000 remains the Grim Reapers community champion with 23 mentions.
However, Falcon has climbed to 18 and is now mounting a serious challenge. TFX sits in third place, followed by the MicroProse stealth-fighter games, Microsoft Flight Simulator and F-15 Strike Eagle.
The discussion remains open, and the rankings may change again as more virtual pilots rediscover old boxes, manuals and memories.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far.
Which flight simulator started it all for you—and which classic deserves a modern remake?
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