If you’re looking to try out the feeling of flying a simulator with a joystick but do not want to spend too much, then the T1600M from Thrustmaster is one of the most affordable options. This versatility, aside from the fact that HOTAS controllers are quite common and typically cheaper, make them the more practical option if you’re on a tight budget. HOTAS controllers don’t quite deliver the same level of immersion as a flight yoke, but they can be useful for more arcade-like flight games. HOTAS controllers for flight simulators typically come with several axes of motion and numerous buttons that can be re-mapped in various ways. In the world of flight simulators, a joystick is more commonly referred to as a Hands On Stick and Throttle (HOTAS) controller. Yokes also suffer from a lack of versatility – they aren’t good for any other type of game that isn’t a flight simulator. If you manage to find one, it’s likely going to be a bit more expensive than the average joystick. The larger interface provides more expansive controls and a more fully realized flight experience.įlight yokes aren’t as common as joysticks. As with any decision worth making, each of the options has its set of benefits and drawbacks.Ī yoke is a controller that looks more like a steering wheel and will give you a more realistic experience of flying a large commercial aircraft like a Boeing 747. Both options are good and somewhat accurate representations of how aircraft are controlled in real life. When playing Microsoft Flight Simulator, you have a choice between two control options – a yoke or a joystick. Can’t decide which one to buy? Then check out our recommendations below. Aside from a lot of hard drive space and a powerful GPU, the simulation is best enjoyed with special joysticks and yokes. Maximizing the capabilities of Flight Simulator means investing in some pretty high-end hardware. With amazing imagery, real-world map information, dynamic weather and traffic, and expansive aircraft customization options, the game delivers one of the most realistic simulations of aviation that we have seen so far. In a niche of gaming that is already considered very specialized, it speaks a lot about Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 that many consider it to be a disruptive title.

Best flight simulator reviews