Take to the Skies! Piloting high speed planes of all kinds has long been a dream for many, going all the way back to the 1970s when flying games first began to appear. Sega and Taito in particular were responsible for some of the most popular flying games of the time. These early titles featured cutting-edge, three-dimensional terrain, full cockpit controls and combat, involving firing missiles at enemy planes.

As time went on, games within the flying genre were refined to provide a more realistic experience, as well as a more exciting one. Balancing realism with high intensity gameplay was a major focus for some developers, while others completely disregarded reality in favor of more explosive concepts such as space battles.

A famous example of flying games beginning to steer away from a true-to-life direction is Nintendo’s Starfox. This popular 1993 SNES title saw players control a squadron of animal fighter pilots and take part in dogfights anywhere from alien planets to the expanses of space. The potential of the genre grew, and suddenly flying games became one of the most diverse genres in gaming. If it flies, you can bet it has a game where you can fly it.

From there, the sky wasn’t even the limit anymore. Any flying enthusiasts, or players with an interest in simulating the experience of flying, could choose from a staggering array of games. From the hyper-realistic to the completely fantastical, players could experiment with different game types and control schemes to see what was ideal for them. And today, the variety in flying games is broader than ever.