The Ultimate Guide to Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is Bandai Namco Aces' long-awaited sequel to Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, launching on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. It's the series' first new mainline entry in over seven years.
The launch is also tied to one of the most unusual preorder bonuses in recent memory: a full copy of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War.
Launch Times
The game unlocks simultaneously worldwide at 22:00 UTC, which means different calendar dates by region:
- Americas: October 1 at 3 PM PDT / 6 PM EDT
- Europe: October 2 at 12 AM CEST
- Japan: October 2 at 7 AM JST
Deluxe Edition, Joker Flight Pack and Premium Joker Flight Pack preorders have had three days of early access since September 29. The PS5 version is about 108.6 GB, so clear space before launch.
Aerial Action Sequences
As gg.deals notes, Ace Combat 8 combines Unreal Engine 5 with Bandai Namco's proprietary Cloudly technology to render its skies and cloud systems.
- True 1:1 scale: Real-world objects are shown at full scale, unlike earlier games' scaled-down worlds
- Larger maps: Bigger battlefields for high-speed dogfights and cinematic missions
- 30+ aircraft: Spread across four categories with different strengths
- Camera options: Third Person, HUD and Cockpit views
- Control schemes: Standard and Expert
- Online co-op: Co-Op Assault and Co-Op Warfare modes
How to Get the Belkan War Bonus
Every edition preordered before October 2 includes two bonuses:
- Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War: A port of the 2006 PlayStation 2 game
- F-14A: A playable aircraft in Ace Combat 8
⚠️ Important: According to fan guides citing Bandai Namco's official page, the preorder deadline is October 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM local time, and the offer may end without notice. If you buy after that, you won't get Ace Combat Zero.
Claiming It
- Buy any edition before the deadline: The Standard Edition qualifies just like the Deluxe
- Install Ace Combat 8: Then look for Ace Combat Zero as a separate application in your library
- Launch it separately: It doesn't boot through the Ace Combat 8 client
- Check the F-14A: Find it in Ace Combat 8's aircraft selection
Physical Copies
As Push Square reports, only the initial run of physical copies includes an Ace Combat Zero redemption code. Later copies won't.
Why You Can't Buy It Later
Bandai Namco says the licenses for real aircraft featured in Ace Combat Zero have expired. Aircraft manufacturers allowed it to be distributed as a preorder bonus only, so there's no plan to sell it separately.
💡 Note: Ace Combat Zero is a port, not a remaster. According to the official Bandai Namco Europe FAQ, it hasn't been remastered or updated, and fan guides report it supports six languages.
What Is Ace Combat Zero?
Originally released in 2006, Ace Combat Zero follows Galm Team during the Belkan War. It's known for its Ace Style reputation system, which changes radio chatter, enemy ace squadrons and how the story plays out.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Developer | Bandai Namco Aces |
| Launch | 22:00 UTC, October 1 |
| Platforms | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5 + Cloudly |
| Aircraft | 30+ |
| Preorder Bonus | Ace Combat Zero + F-14A |
| Bonus Deadline | Before October 2 |
| Zero Sold Separately | No |
Why It Matters
Ace Combat 8 brings the series into a new generation with true-scale environments and upgraded skies. Its preorder bonus also gives fans one of the series' most beloved games, which may otherwise become impossible to buy legally on modern platforms.
🎮 The Bottom Line
Ace Combat 8 takes off today in the Americas and tomorrow in Europe and Japan. If you want Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, buy before the deadline, because once it closes, the bonus is gone.
🔗 Sources
- Official Ace Combat 8 page: Lists editions, preorder bonuses and early access details.
- Ace Combat 8 Wiki's preorder guide: Explains how to claim and verify the F-14A and Ace Combat Zero.