If chunky pixels, classic management sims and old-school game design make your altimeter twitch, Legendary Pilots is one to watch. The retro-styled indie flight sim has launched today for free on iOS and Android, with a premium PC version officially announced for Steam.
As a fan of classic flight sims, this one really appeals to me. Rather than chasing hyper-realistic cockpit switches and endless manuals, Legendary Pilots channels the spirit of classic aviation and management games. It’s all about the career fantasy — starting out as a novice pilot, earning your wings, and slowly building your reputation (and airline) through smart decisions and steady progression.
What’s not to like?
It’s got vintage vibes
Visually, this is where Legendary Pilots really leans into its roots. The game sports retro pixel-art visuals inspired by old-school PC sims, with a clean, stylised look that feels right at home alongside vintage MicroProse’s early classics. It’s a deliberate throwback, designed to be readable, charming, and instantly nostalgic.
The upcoming PC release is being positioned as the definitive premium edition, offering deeper career progression, a more refined airline economy, and a fully uninterrupted experience. From buying and maintaining aircraft to managing routes, crews and passengers, the PC version aims to recreate that slow-burn satisfaction classic sim fans know so well.
To recap on those features:
- Stylised Flight Simulator focused on the pilot’s career rather than pure realism
- Retro Pixel Art Visuals inspired by classic aviation and management games
- Progressive Career System, from novice pilot to seasoned professional
- Multiple Flyable Aircraft, including turbo-props and regional jets
- Route and Passenger Management with a living airline economy
- Aircraft Ownership and Maintenance, including upgrades and upkeep
- Simplified Navigation System using radio-compass mechanics
- AI Air Traffic bringing the skies to life
- Crew Management and operational decision-making
- Competitive Airline Rankings in a dynamic, fictional world
On Android and iPhone, Legendary Pilots arrives as a free-to-play release, opening the cockpit to a wider audience while still preserving the depth, personality and retro flavour that define the game.
Birds of choice
Features include multiple flyable aircraft (from turbo-props to regional jets), simplified radio-compass navigation, AI air traffic, aircraft ownership and upgrades, crew management, competitive airline rankings, and a living, fictional airline world that evolves as you play.
Developed by a solo indie creator with a clear love for classic sims, Legendary Pilots feels like a modern tribute to a bygone era of thoughtful, systems-driven games — just with today’s platforms in mind.
Legendary Pilots is out now for free on iOS and Android, with the premium PC version coming soon to Steam, where it can be wishlisted today.
Fellow retro pilots, we’re cleared for takeoff!
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
