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Best simulation games on GamesNostalgia

Whether you've always dreamed of building your own virtual city, managing a bustling farm, or even piloting an aircraft, simulation games offer an exciting escape from reality. These immersive experiences not only provide entertainment but also serve as a fertile ground for unleashing your creativity and problem-solving skills. Dive into the world of simulation games and discover a universe where your imagination knows no bounds. From constructing intricate structures to making strategic decisions, these games allow you to shape and mold your own virtual reality.

To be part of this group, it's not enough to have some simulation elements. All games try to simulate reality, at least in part. Here we tried to list titles where the simulation is the game's core.

The first simulation computer game was probably Bruce Artwick's Flight Simulator, the first realistic flight sim, released in 1980 for the Apple II. In 1985, David Crane programmed the first virtual life simulator with Little Computer People, the progenitor of The Sims, a success that Maxis would release 15 years later. But the first hit of Will Wright's company was the city-building simulation game SimCity in 1989, followed by SimAnt and SimLife in 1992, SimHealth in 1994, in many others.

Going back to flight simulators, we must mention F-15 Strike Eagle, one of the first games created by Sid Meier, initially for the Atari 8-bit. But other famous titles of the '80s include F/A-18 Interceptor, Falcon, F-16 Combat Pilot, and F-19 Stealth Fighter. In the '90s, we had F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter 2.0, released in 1993, and the Great War Planes series series created by Damon Slye for Sierra/Dynamix, with Red Baron, Aces of the Pacific, Aces Over Europe and others. Planes are not the only vehicles simulated. In Silent Service, released in 1986, you control a submarine; in Gunship, the AH-64 Apache helicopter.

Moving towards economic simulations, in Chris Sawyer's Transport Tycoon, you need to manage a transport company, while in Railroad Tycoon Deluxe, you build railroads and manage trains.

After the successes of his god-game titles, such as Populous, Bullfrog entered the simulation scene with Theme Park in 1994. Theme Hospital was another big hit, but the most successful title was Sim Theme Park in 1999.

It's not always easy to identify simulation games; sometimes, there is a significant overlap with strategy games, especially in business simulations. City-building games like Caesar might or might not be considered simulations. That's why we suggest checking also business simulation, city building, and construction simulation.

Operation Spruance amiga

Operation Spruance is a naval strategy simulation developed exclusively for the Amiga by the Danish studio Parsec. The game is also known as Operation Spruance: The Naval Warfare ...

Year: 1990 Genre: Simulation

3d amiga original game middle east naval simulation war

F-15 Strike Eagle II amiga

F-15 Strike Eagle II, developed and published by MicroProse in 1989, is a combat flight simulator for PC. The game, released also for Amiga and Atari ST in 1991, places players in ...

Year: 1991 Genre: Simulation

3d combat flight simulation f-15 eagle simulator flight sim middle east simulation vietnam

Eastern Front atari-8-bit

Chris Crawford’s Eastern Front (1941) is a wargame released in 1981 for the Atari 8-bit family. It is widely recognized as one of the earliest examples of a truly sophisticated computer wargame for home systems.

Year: 1981 Genre: Strategy

atari 8-bit europe historical battle map-based historical simulation strategy turn-based strategy war wargame

Seven Cities of Gold amigaatari-8-bit

Seven Cities of Gold by Ozark Softscape, is often considered one of the most groundbreaking strategy and exploration games of its era. Designed by Dan Bunten (later Danielle Bunten...

Year: 1986 Genre: Simulation

adventure-strategy age of discovery atari 8-bit business simulation educational history sea trading simulation trading

Magic Carpet 2: The Netherworlds dos

Magic Carpet 2: The Netherworlds, developed by Bullfrog Productions, is the direct sequel to the groundbreaking Magic Carpet. The game was published by Electronic Arts in 1996, two years after the predecessor.

Year: 1995 Genre: Simulation

3d action-adventure fantasy flight sim simulation

Total Air War windows

Total Air War, released in 1998 by Digital Image Design and published by Infogrames, is one of the most ambitious and immersive flight simulators. Building upon the foundations of ...

Year: 1998 Genre: Simulation

3d 3d acceleration combat flight simulation military simulation

SimTown windows

SimTown, released by Maxis in 1995, is a spin-off of the famous SimCity but with a much simpler structure aimed at younger players. Developed for PC and later ported to Macintosh, ...

Year: 1995 Genre: Simulation

business simulation city building isometric management sim city simulation

Moonfall amigaatari-stcommodore-64

Moonfall is a space combat and trading sim released in 1991 by 21st Century Entertainment, originally for the Commodore 64. The game was then ported to Amiga and Atari ST. The game...

Year: 1991 Genre: Simulation

3d c64 original game polygons simulation space combat sim space exploration trading

Leader Board Golf amigacommodore-64

Leader Board Golf is a gold simulation created by Access Software originally for the Commodore 64 and released in 1986. Leader Board redefined the sports simulation genre and introduced many players to the joys of computer golf.

Year: 1986 Genre: Sports

c64 original game commodore 64 golf hotseat multiplayer simulation sports

F1 Racing Simulation windows

F1 Racing Simulation by Ubi Soft was an attempt to deliver one of the most realistic and immersive Formula 1 racing experiences of its time. Released in 1997 for PC, the game was d...

Year: 1997 Genre: Racing

3d 3d acceleration driving f1 licensed racing simulation track racing vehicle simulator

Thunderhawk amiga

Released in 1991 by Core Design, Thunderhawk is a combat flight simulator that blends fast-paced action with light strategic elements. At a time when flight simulators on the Amiga...

Year: 1991 Genre: Simulation

3d amiga original game combat flight simulation helicopter military polygons science fiction simulation

Hollywood Pictures dos

Hollywood Pictures is a strategy game released in 1995 by Starbyte for MS-DOS and Amiga. Released in 1995, this quirky business simulation game let you live out your dreams of runn...

Year: 1995 Genre: Strategy

amiga original game business simulation german only games management movies simulation strategy

Centerbase amiga

Centerbase is a strategy and simulation game developed by reLINE and released in 1992, exclusively for the Amiga. The game, also known as Centerbase: Science-Fiction Simulation, w...

Year: 1992 Genre: Simulation

amiga original game management science fiction simulation strategy

Mad News dos

Mad News is a business simulation created by Ikarion Software and released in 1994 for Amiga and MS-DOS. It's the unofficial sequel of Mad TV. In this simulation, available in Ge...

Year: 1994 Genre: Strategy

business simulation german only games management simulation strategy