'Stranger Things' comes to 'Microsoft Flight Simulator'

In a legitimately clever metatextual press release on Xbox.com, an in-universe article with the dateline of September 9, 1987 tells us a local Hawkins entrepreneur has launched Hawkins Heli-Tours, a way to bring tourism back (?) to the little town following the terrible events of Stranger Things 4. This endeavor is the brainchild of, of all people, Murray Bauman, who supplied the Bell UH-1H “Huey” helicopter the expansion utilizes.

In the article, we learn, “Residents have whispered about late-night flights, odd cargo loads, and even rumors of… well, ‘unusual exchanges’ out by the old forest road or around the radio station. Bauman innocently waves off these claims: ‘Contraband? Please. This isn’t Miami Vice!’” Classic Murray. Everyone’s favorite character from Stranger Things. Murray.

The update to 2024’s Microsoft Flight Simulator will allow people to fly over places we’ve seen on the TV show. These include Starcourt Mall, Hawkins Middle School, Brimborn Steelworks, the abandoned Creel house, and even Hawkins Labs. Additionally, you’ll see some gnarly Upside Down rifts and glowing orifices. If that’s to your liking.

A new Microsoft Flight Simulator is due out next year, but you can still get the 2024 edition. This is the only way to play the Stranger Things expansion. The expansion itself is free, but you have to pay for the game. You can get it on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, PlayStation 5, Steam, and Cloud. So, everywhere.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Letterboxd.