Microsoft Flight Simulator 3.0 vs Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 3.0 builds on the legacy of its predecessors by adding a variety of new aircraft, expanded airport selections, and additional global locations. The game delivers a richer flying experience while retaining the single‑player focus that fans love. Developed by subLOGIC and published by Microsoft in 1988, this version offers improved graphics and more realistic flight physics, making it a timeless choice for aviation enthusiasts seeking a deeper simulation.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0 brings early digital aviation to life with detailed scenery for five major U.S. cities, including New York and Los Angeles. It supports CGA through VGA graphics and offers multi-user play for shared experiences. The version also integrates add‑on support such as Microsoft's Aircraft & Scenery Designer and Sublogic's USA scenery series, expanding the simulation's depth for hobbyists and aspiring pilots.
- Wide variety of new aircraft
- Expanded airport selection
- Improved visual detail for its era
- Accurate flight physics
- Authentic retro graphics and sound.
- Rich city scenery for five major locations.
- Extensible with add‑ons and custom content.
- Supports both single-player and multi-user modes.
- Limited to single‑player only
- Outdated graphics by modern standards
- Runs only on older PC hardware
- Limited to DOS/PC hardware of its time.
- No modern graphics or VR support.
- Multiplayer requires manual setup.
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Alternatives to Microsoft Flight Simulator 3.0
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A pioneering 1984 flight sim with expanded hardware support and deeper realism.
Classic 1982 flight sim meeting FAA standards with full instrument control.
Classic DOS flight sim with SVGA graphics and new European scenery.
Alternatives to Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0
View all →A pioneering 1984 flight sim with expanded hardware support and deeper realism.
Classic DOS flight sim with SVGA graphics and new European scenery.
Experience realistic flight with satellite scenery and dynamic weather on classic DOS.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataFlight Simulator 3.0 offers more aircraft and airports for solo play at a known $49.99 price, while 4.0 adds multi‑user capability and richer city scenery but lacks a listed price.
Key differences
- •3.0: Wider variety of aircraft and airports; 4.0: Focus on detailed city scenery for five locations.
- •3.0: Strictly single‑player; 4.0: Supports multi‑user (multiplayer) sessions.
- •3.0: Graphics upgraded for its era but still older; 4.0: Supports CGA to VGA/EGA graphics modes.
- •Pricing: 3.0 listed at $49.99; 4.0 price not specified.
- •Release date: 3.0 (1988) vs 4.0 (1989) – 4.0 is a later version with added features.
Gameplay & fun factor
4.0 adds multi‑user play and city scenery, offering more varied experiences than 3.0's solo focus.
Platform availability
Both run on late‑1980s IBM PC hardware; no distinction in facts.
Price & value
3.0 has a clear MSRP of $49.99; 4.0 price is not specified, making value harder to assess.
Multiplayer / co‑op
4.0 explicitly supports multi‑user sessions; 3.0 is single‑player only.
Content & replayability
3.0 provides more aircraft models and a larger set of airports, increasing solo replay options.
Difficulty & accessibility
Both target aviation enthusiasts with realistic physics; no data on difficulty differences.
Graphics & performance
4.0 supports VGA/EGA graphics, offering higher resolution than 3.0's upgraded but older graphics.
Choose Microsoft Flight Simulator 3.0 if…
Solo flyers who want more planes/airports and know the price.
Choose Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0 if…
Players seeking multiplayer and city scenery despite unknown cost.
Common questions
What is the price of each game?
3.0 costs $49.99 MSRP; 4.0 price is not specified in the provided data.
Can I play with friends?
Only 4.0 offers multi‑user (multiplayer) play; 3.0 is single‑player only.
Which version has more aircraft and airports?
3.0 includes a wider variety of aircraft and a larger set of airports than 4.0.