The best space simulation games, according to hackers
9 space simulation games were recommended on Hacker News between November 2025 and November 2026. We rank them by how many separate people recommend each one, and 2 earn the Hacker Approved badge.
Top picks
The two most recommended space simulation games with the badge. Each figure is 2 people. RecommendsCriticizes One comment
Teaches orbital mechanics intuitively
People recommend it as a fun, hands-on way to learn orbital mechanics and spaceflight basics, especially for students. Critics say its physics engine is old and janky, and it has never been fully updated.
Realistic 1:1 scale Milky Way
Praised as a hardcore space sim with a 1:1 Milky Way and VR support. Caveats: boredom over long play and a heavy headset.
All 9 space simulation games, ranked
Select a column heading to sort. Approval share is recommenders out of everyone who gave an opinion; the tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs. Months counts the months, out of 13, in which someone recommended it.
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No Man's Sky | 97 | 100 | 49% | 7 | 10 yrs16 owners | — |
| 2 | Kerbal Space Program | 24 | 9 | 73% | 9 | — | Approved |
| 3 | Starflight | 17 | 0 | 100% | 2 | — | — |
| 4 | Elite Dangerous | 15 | 5 | 75% | 5 | — | Approved |
| 5 | Star Citizen | 11 | 20 | 35% | 6 | — | — |
| Tied 6 | Wing Commander | 7 | 4 | 64% | 5 | — | — |
| Tied 6 | Kitten Space Agency | 7 | 2 | 78% | 3 | — | — |
| Tied 6 | Star Wars: TIE Fighter | 7 | 0 | 100% | 2 | — | — |
| 9 | X-Wing by LucasArts | 5 | 0 | 100% | 3 | — | — |
How we rank
Rank is the number of separate people who recommend a product in a Hacker News comment over the past year. Someone who praises the same space simulation game in five threads counts once.
The badge goes to space simulation games that at least 10 people recommend, with recommenders outnumbering critics at least 2 to 1, recommended in at least 4 of the 13 months.
Rankings are never for sale. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes the order.