Mid next year or "Summer 2021" as they like to call it up there in the northern hemisphere. Which you can visit in Microsoft Flight Simulator on the account of it featuring the entire planet to explore. As per our review from earlier this year the experience is nothing short of incredible. And as part of the console announcement Microsoft also debuted a new trailer featuring 4K footage running on an Xbox Series X.

And it looks incredible.

Today, we’re excited to share that Microsoft Flight Simulator will come to life on the Xbox Series X|S this summer. Simmers on Xbox Series X|S can expect the same level of depth as the PC version, allowing you to experience the most authentic and realistic flight simulator we have ever created.

From light planes to wide-body jets, you’ll test your piloting skills against the challenges of real-time weather including accurate wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, rain, and lighting – all in a dynamic and living world. With the power of satellite data and cloud-based AI, you’ll travel the entire planet in amazing detail with over 37 thousand airports, 2 million cities, 1.5 billion buildings, real mountains, roads, trees, rivers, animals, traffic, and more.

Naturally the game will also hit Xbox Series S. Now, to get technical for a moment, as the PC release was running on the DirectX 11 API - performance was and still is an issue even on the most high-end of rigs. Even the new GeForce RTX 3080 struggles when you try to run it in 4K. This is to say that the flight sim has probably been given a DX12 overhaul for the new console architecture. Which should come to the PC version too.

Not a simple port, this is the full Microsoft Flight Simulator experience. Microsoft is also working with third-parties to bring peripherals like flight sticks and yokes and rudders to the Xbox Series X and S. Very cool.