During Xbox’s Tokyo Game Show 2025 broadcast, the new Japan World update for Microsoft Flight Simulator was revealed, inviting players to explore new points of interest in the Land of the Rising Sun. This was one of several exciting announcements during the event, and fans of Microsoft Flight Simulator and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024can enjoy this new content immediately, as the free patch is rolling out today.
While 2020’s Microsoft Flight Simulator is still going strong, the franchise’s more recent release has been in the news this week, as Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is officially coming to the PS5 this December after months of ongoing speculation. As Microsoft continues to port its more popular titles to other platforms, fans were pleased to learn that the popular sim would finally be making the leap, and pre-orders for the PS5 version are already underway. Those with a PlayStation VR2 will be able to enjoy the game even more immersively, as development for the virtual reality headset has also been confirmed.
Microsoft Flight Simulator's Japan World Update Is Now Live
Developer Asobo Studio confirmed the Japan World update for Microsoft Flight Simulator during Xbox’s showing at Tokyo Game Show 2025 on September 25, with a new blog post on the game’s official website detailing more of what players can expect. According to the development team, this patch is one of the largest Flight Simulator world updates to date, with 23 areas of interest having been updated in detail. Players can look forward to visiting some beloved points of interest around Japan in the open-world sim, including Fukuoka Tower, Akinada Bridge, and Osaka Castle. Five airports have also been added, including Hokkaido Spaceport, Kitakyushu Airport, Rishiri Airport, Sado Airport, and Satsuma Iojima Airport. The free update for both Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024 features three new discovery flights, three landing challenges, one spotlight event, and one bush trip.
While critical response to the game has improved following steady updates, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 saw problems at launch, with many Xbox players reporting glitching textures and server issues. Inconsistent performance continues to plague some players, but the game’s new features and modes have inspired enough fans to put their hope in Asobo Studio, with the developers continuing to address any reported issues.
In perhaps the largest announcement made during the Xbox presentation at Tokyo Game Show 2025, Forza Horizon 6‘s Japan setting was confirmed, with Microsoft committing to a 2026 release date for the title. Unfortunately, no gameplay was shown, but fans of the franchise are no doubt clamoring to know more about the next installment in the popular racing franchise.