Orbiter Download (1986 Simulation Game)

Obiter is a space shuttle simulator based on the actual commands and procedures used by NASA. It simulates the experience of launching, landing, and performing the delicate missions required of the NASA astronauts. Random problems such as mechanical failures will arise as you try to complete your mission and return safely. This will test your knowledge about the shuttle and mechanics of space flight.

Predating Virgin Interactive's underrated Shuttle by several years, Orbiter is a decent space shuttle simulation that unfortunately is bogged down with too much "realism" to be fun. As commander of a space shuttle, you select from 4 different types of missions (rendezvous, satellite repair, satellite deployment, or training mission), within each of which you can choose to control any or all of the 3 stages: launch, orbit, and landing. A detailed scoring system evaluates your performance in every stage, and almost every system imaginable on the real space shuttle is meticulously modelled in the game. The problem is, the game quickly degenerates into an exercise in frustration due to complicated user interface that uses multiple windows and viewpoints, poor CGA graphics (EGA, which was widely used in gaming in 1988, was curiously omitted in Orbiter), and lack of campaign mode a la Shuttle. Overall, a commendable effort, but one best experienced only by expert space sim enthusiasts.

How to run this game on modern Windows PC?

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