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Ace Combat

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is out on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, and it is holding the top of the Steam sales chart with a Very Positive review rating. The bonus port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War remains tied to the pre-order and early purchase window, with Bandai Namco reviewing a standalone Steam app format.

Synthesized from 30 Yomimono stories · updated Oct 9

ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE launched on October 2, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, with a Deluxe Edition early access period that began September 29. The game is the series' 30th anniversary numbered entry, sold at 9,790 yen for the standard edition and 11,990 yen for the Deluxe Edition. Bandai Namco Entertainment built it on Cloudly, a rendering engine that supports wide skies and layered cloud formations, and Q-Games said it handled research and development for that technology, which renders a sky spanning 10,000 square kilometers. The campaign follows Lieutenant Colonel Jean Kope, who carries the name Wings of Theve, during the Republic of Sotoa's invasion of the Usean continent, and a full run took a reviewer more than 20 hours across more than 20 missions.

The launch drew a peak of 48,743 concurrent players on SteamDB, about 3.5 times Ace Combat 7's 13,758. Steam user reviews across all languages reached 80 percent positive out of roughly 11,300, giving it a Very Positive rating, and the game placed third overall on Steam's Top 100 sales chart for the week of September 29 to October 6, the highest position for a paid title. It also held No. 1 on the weekly Steam sales ranking for a second week. Before launch, the publisher told PC players that some flight sticks compatible with Ace Combat 7 would have configuration features unavailable at release, and that restoring a close equivalent would take time.

The bonus port of ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR, which runs at 2160p and 60fps, cannot be bought separately after launch because fighter jet licensing agreements block a separate sale, and the official X account warned buyers about the cutoff at 6:59 on October 2. The port launches as a standalone game on the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions, but on Steam it is delivered as a DLC executable that requires the main game installed. In an update on the night of October 2, Bandai Namco said it is considering a standalone app format on Steam, with implementation and timing still under review.

Key facts

Release date and platforms
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launched October 2, 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, with a Deluxe Edition early access period from September 29. ↗
Price
Standard edition 9,790 yen, Deluxe Edition 11,990 yen. ↗
Cloud rendering technology
Q-Games handled research and development for Cloudly, the rendering technology that supports the sky and clouds; it renders a sky spanning 10,000 square kilometers. ↗
Campaign scale
A Game*Spark review reported more than 20 missions and a full run of over 20 hours, following Lieutenant Colonel Jean Kope during the Republic of Sotoa's invasion of the Usean continent. ↗
Steam concurrent players
SteamDB peak of 48,743 concurrent players, about 3.5 times Ace Combat 7's 13,758. ↗
Steam review rating
80 percent positive out of roughly 11,300 user reviews across all languages, giving it a Very Positive rating. ↗
Steam sales placement
Third overall on Steam's Top 100 sales chart for the week of September 29 to October 6, the highest position for a paid game on the list. ↗
Ace Combat Zero bonus port
The port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War runs at 2160p and 60fps and is available through the Ace Combat 8 pre-order and early purchase bonus by 6:59 on October 2; it cannot be sold separately because of fighter jet licensing arrangements. ↗
Flight stick support on PC
Bandai Namco said some flight sticks that worked with Ace Combat 7 have configuration features that cannot be used in Ace Combat 8, and that fixing this will take time. ↗
Metacritic score
Metacritic sits at 88 for the PS5 version as of early October. ↗

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

Facts

Release
game · October 2026 · 2026-06-08

Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/ace-combat. CC BY 4.0.

All coverage

2d ago

Bandai Namco Flags Possible Delay to ACE COMBAT 8 Ver.1.01.002 Update

Bandai Namco Entertainment says the October 23 update for ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE may have its schedule adjusted. Ver.1.01.002, planned for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC (Steam), was to fix Campaign progression bugs, adjust enemy aircraft behavior and tune special weapons in ACE COMBAT ONLINE. The accompanying ACE COMBAT ONLINE server maintenance is also affected. The company cites the industry-wide response to system-related events, including a PHP critical vulnerability issue, and says it is confirming the scope of impact.

5d ago

Hasegawa Plans 1/72 Su-33 Flanker D Kit For Ace Combat 8's Shadows

Hasegawa will release a 1/72 scale kit of the Su-33 Flanker D flown by Shadows from Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. The aircraft parts are dark gray, a display stand is included, and the package uses CG imagery. New decals cover the Sotoa Air Force, 1st Special Operations Air Wing, 11th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 44th Flight, Lux Lunae, known as Shadows. The finished kit measures 305.5 mm long and costs 5,500 yen, scheduled for release on Wednesday, December 16, 2026.

Oct 17

Japan's Video Game Rankings for October 5-11

Famitsu's software chart for October 5 to 11 puts the Switch 2 version of Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] at No. 1 with 23,411 copies. Rhythm Heaven Groove is second at 14,527, and Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is third at 13,801. Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen enters at fourth on Switch 2 and eighth on PS5, and the PS5 Kingdom Hearts Collection takes fifth at 6,261.

Oct 14

Hasegawa Reveals Completed Sample Of Su-33 Flanker-D Kit From Ace Combat 8

Hasegawa revealed a completed sample of its 1:72 scale Su-33 Flanker-D "Shadows" kit on October 14. The aircraft is the Su-33 of the 44th Squadron flown by Lux Lunae, an ace unit of the Sotoan Republic, which is hostile to the protagonist side's Central Usean Federation in ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE. Release is scheduled for around December 16, 2026 at 5,500 yen.

Oct 13

Ace Combat Zero Steam Port to Get Standalone App for Ace Combat 8 Pre-Order Bonus

Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on October 13 that the Steam version of Ace Combat Zero, offered as a pre-order bonus for Ace Combat 8: WINGS OF THEVE, is expected to be distributed as a standalone application. The port was previously playable only by launching Ace Combat 8 and selecting it from the start options. Both formats will coexist once the standalone version ships, and save data will be shared between them through Steam Cloud. The company said final quality and operation checks are underway. Bandai Namco stressed that the change applies only to players who already have the pre-order bonus and does not make Ace Combat Zero newly obtainable for anyone else. The issue drew complaints because Ace Combat 8 is roughly 140GB and the bonus could not be installed on its own.

Oct 12

Ace Combat 8 Tops Japan's Game Rankings For September 28 To October 4

Famitsu's chart for September 28 to October 4 has Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve at No. 1 in its first week on PS5 with 63,013 copies. Dynasty Warriors 3 Remastered Complete Edition follows on PS5 at 18,724, and Rhythm Heaven Groove is third at 15,894, bringing its running total to 1,065,816. New entries also include Minecraft Dungeons II, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, and Ghost of Yotei Complete Edition.

Oct 10

Ace Combat 8 Hits 1 Million Copies, Band Live Footage Set For Late December

The Ace Combat series' official X account announced that ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE has passed 1 million cumulative copies worldwide in the fastest time in series history. To mark it, footage of the band live "LIVE MUSIC FEST. 2026," which performs music from the series, is scheduled to premiere in late December. Details will be announced later. The game is on sale for PC (Steam), PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Oct 7

Ace Combat 8 Tops Steam Weekly Sales Among Paid Titles

Steam's Top 100 sales chart for the week of September 29 to October 6, 2026 placed ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE third overall, the highest position for a paid game on the list. Steam user reviews across all languages reached 80 percent positive out of roughly 11,300, giving it a Very Positive rating. SteamDB shows its 24-hour peak concurrent count above 30,000 since release.

Oct 6

Hasegawa Announces Its January 2027 Model Kit Lineup

Hasegawa has published its shipping schedule for January 2027, covering 20 plastic model kits and two resin figure kits. The plastic lineup includes a 1/72 F/A-18C Hornet in Queen Squadron markings from ACE COMBAT 8, a 1/72 VF-1D Valkyrie, and a 1/72 Type 2 Large Flying Boat (Kai) from Godzilla-0.0. The resin kits are a 1/12 Chizuru Minamihara from Chodenji Robo Combattler V and a 1/12 Bikini Armor mery. Ship dates run across January 8 to 29.

Oct 6

Ace Combat 8 PC Benchmarks Test RTX 5090 at 4K

A PC benchmark of Ace Combat 8, the 30th anniversary entry, tests graphics settings on an RTX 5090 ahead of release. The game runs on Unreal Engine 5 with cloud rendering technology. Steam lists RTX 3070 or Radeon RX 6800 with 32GB of memory as recommended for 1080p at 60fps on Medium settings; the official 4K/60fps table lists RTX 4080 or above.

Oct 6

Bandai Namco Addresses Flight Stick Support For Ace Combat 8 On PC

Bandai Namco Entertainment said in a Steam news post that some flight sticks that worked with Ace Combat 7 have configuration features that cannot be used in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. The company said fixing this will take time and that it will work on improvements so the devices run in an environment close to the previous game, with further details to be announced later.

Oct 5

Ace Combat Zero Port Cannot Be Bought Separately, Bandai Namco Warns

Early access for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve opened on September 29 at 7:00 AM, and the official X account warned that the bonus port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War cannot be obtained after launch. Staff on the Ace Combat 8 Information Bureau #5 livestream said fighter jet licensing agreements block a separate sale, though distribution as a bonus falls within the contract.

Oct 5

Ace Combat 8 Benchmarks Show Only Top Two GPUs Hit 100 FPS At 1080p

Benchmark results for ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE, published by tech outlet GameGPU ahead of the game's October 2 release, put only the GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 4090 above 100 FPS at 1080p with Ultra settings and TSR upscaling at native resolution, at 128 FPS and 115 FPS on average. At 1440p only the RTX 5090 clears 100 FPS, at 102 FPS, and it averages 60 FPS at 4K.

Oct 5

DELIVERY MUST COMPLETE Brings Combo Ratings to Dogfights at TGS2026

At TGS2026, developer Yoyoyollie and publisher Top Hat Studios presented DELIVERY MUST COMPLETE, a cel-shaded dogfight roguelike whose official tagline calls it a fusion of Devil May Cry and Ace Combat. Players pick an aircraft and two special weapons, boost instead of throttling up gradually, and build combo ranks by downing enemies in succession. Ammo is infinite, cooldowns are not, and level-ups offer three parts to choose one from.

Oct 5

Ace Combat 8 Review Details 20-Hour Campaign And 20 Missions

Game*Spark reviewed Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, due October 2 from Bandai Namco Entertainment. The review reports the story follows Lieutenant Colonel Jean Cope, called "Wings of Theve," during the Republic of Sotoa's invasion of the Usean continent. It says the campaign has more than 20 missions, a full run took over 20 hours, and the game runs on Unreal Engine 5 plus the volumetric cloud engine Cloudly.

Oct 5

ACE COMBAT 8 Holds No. 1 As Dynasty Warriors 2 Remastered Debuts On Steam

ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE is No. 1 on this week's Steam sales ranking for a second week, with user reviews rated Very Positive. Apex Legends is No. 2 and AION 2 is No. 3. Koei Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors 2 with Xtreme Legends Remastered debuts at No. 5. The chart was surveyed at 13:00 on October 5, 2026, during the Autumn Sale.

Oct 5

Ace Combat 8 Players Call The Game Basically ASMR

Ace Combat 8 launched October 2 for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. On SteamDB it peaked at 48,743 concurrent players, about 3.5 times Ace Combat 7's 13,758. Players on social media have taken to calling the game ASMR, pointing to its three-dimensional wind, engine and explosion audio and to Kenjiro Tsuda, who voices pilot Jean Kope and speaks to the protagonist.

Oct 4

Q-Games Says It Handled Cloud Rendering Research For Ace Combat 8

Q-Games announced it was in charge of research and development for Cloudly, the rendering technology that supports the sky and clouds in ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE. The Kyoto studio said Cloudly renders a sky spanning 10,000 square kilometers. It produces light streaming through gaps in clouds, shadows cast on clouds by aircraft, multi-layered cloud structures, and contrails. Sunlight bouncing off the canopy is part of the same system. Those elements also work as in-game signs, which Q-Games says feed into dogfight gameplay by giving pilots clues about the situation around them. The game launched on October 2. It is on sale for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with a PS5 copy listed at 8,667 yen. Q-Games is known for the PixelJunk series and Dreams of Another. CEO and founder Dylan Cuthbert worked on the Game Boy title X and the Super Famicom title Star Fox at Nintendo, and later on Star Fox Command and Star Fox 64 3D.

Oct 3

Ace Combat 8 Launches October 2 With Metascore 88 And Zero Port Deadline

Bandai Namco Entertainment's ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE launches digitally on October 2 at 7:00 for PC via Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, following early access for Deluxe Edition buyers. The standard edition costs 9,790 yen and the Deluxe Edition 11,990 yen. Purchases made by 6:59 on October 2 include a port of ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR at 2160p and 60fps, and the pre-order bonus adds the playable aircraft F-14A. The port will not be sold separately because of fighter jet licensing arrangements, and the official X account has warned buyers about the cutoff. First production run package copies carry serial codes for the bonus. The campaign follows Lieutenant Colonel Jean Kope, a fallen hero called Wings of Sheave, as the Sotoa Republic invades the Usean continent. Online mode includes PvE and PvPvE. Metacritic sits at 88 for the PS5 version as of early October.

Oct 3

Bandai Namco Sees Path To Standalone Ace Combat Zero On Steam

Bandai Namco Entertainment says there is now a prospect of changing how the pre-order bonus for the Steam version of ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE is delivered. The bonus, a port of ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR, launches as a standalone game on the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions of Ace Combat 8. On Steam it is provided as a DLC executable that requires the main game to be installed, so it cannot be launched on its own. The company said licensing restrictions and platform-side specifications prevent standalone distribution on Steam at present. In an update on the night of October 2, the day Ace Combat 8 released, Bandai Namco said it has continued talks with platform partners and related companies and is now considering a standalone app format, with the specific implementation and timing still under review. The port has no plans for standalone sale and is offered only through the Ace Combat 8 pre-order and physical early purchase bonus.

Oct 3

This Week's New Game Releases Led By ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE

Four outlets rounded up the games launching in Japan and North America between September 28 and October 3, 2026, and Bandai Namco Entertainment's ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE sits at the top of the pile. The flight shooter arrives October 2 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S at 9,790 yen for the standard edition, with a DELUXE EDITION priced at 11,990 yen and early access on September 29. The same week brings Mojang Studios and Double Eleven's Minecraft Dungeons II on September 29 at 4,730 yen for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch, with Xbox Game Pass support, plus The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered on the same day for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2, and a Remastered edition of the Dynasty Warriors 2 package on October 1. Free-to-play entries Apex Legends and Animo place second and third on the Steam sales chart.

Oct 3

Ace Combat 8 Opens With 16-Minute Cinematic Ahead Of October 2 Launch

Bandai Namco Entertainment will release Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve on October 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, with a Deluxe Edition arriving September 29. The publisher streamed a 16-minute opening cinematic on Thursday. The campaign is set in 2029 in the Strangereal world, ten years after the previous numbered entry, and follows the Central Usean Federation after an invasion by the Republic of Sotoa. The player flies for the Joker Squadron aboard the old carrier Endurance, carrying the name of the legendary ace Wings of Sheave. Three wingmen join the fight. Online play, branded Ace Combat Online, casts players as mercenaries of an organization called I3 and splits missions into co-op, co-op with versus elements, and pure versus formats. Pre-orders include a port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War.

Oct 2

ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Launches For PS5, Xbox Series X|S, And Steam

Bandai Namco Entertainment released ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE on October 2, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. The game is the latest numbered entry in the flight shooting series, sold at prices starting from 9,790 yen. The protagonist carries the name of the legendary ace Wings of Theve and works with three new companions to retake a stolen homeland. The title ships with a campaign mode and an online mode that the publisher describes as the largest in the series. It commemorates the series' 30th anniversary. Bandai Namco built the game on Cloudly, an independently developed engine that renders wide skies and layered cloud formations.

Sep 19

Tokyo Game Show 2026 Trial Play Tickets Sell Out Across Multiple Booths On Day Two

At Tokyo Game Show 2026, held at Makuhari Messe and TKP Tokyo Bay Makuhari Hall, trial play tickets for several titles ended distribution on September 19, per the official X accounts of each title. Final Fantasy VII Revelation used a numbered ticket system for safety reasons, and distribution for the day closed at 9:24 AM once the planned number was reached. Persona 4 Revival tickets at the Sega/Atlus booth ended at 9:34 AM. Earth Defense Force 6.2 tickets at the D3P booth appeared to end at 10:28 AM. Distribution also ended for Final Fantasy Resonance, Romancing SaGa 3 Destiny United, STRANGER THAN HEAVEN, Ace Combat 8, GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT, Yu-Gi-Oh! TAG FORCE GX, and others. Social media posts included 'Already over!?' and 'So it's one of those that you can't make even with a opening dash.'

Sep 19

Ace Combat 8 Returns to Tokyo Game Show with Three Playable Missions

Bandai Namco Entertainment brought ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE to Tokyo Game Show 2026 as a playable build inside a five-title booth in Hall 5. The demo offers three missions, and the article's author chose "11 Maximum Payload," an air-to-air sortie against a group of intercontinental transport aircraft called Podarge, which fly with electronic warfare aircraft that jam radar.

Sep 18

Ace Combat 8 Hands-On Shows A Sharper Focus On Its Pilots

A Tokyo Game Show 2026 hands-on with Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve found flight controls unchanged from Ace Combat 7, and the shift elsewhere: loadout screens now show each pilot and their comments, and a lengthy in-game cutscene fleshes out two squadron members, Professor and Tasha. The demo mission follows Rex, the new "Wings of Theve" ace, as his carrier seeks a safe port after his country's collapse.

Sep 16

EDWIN And ACE COMBAT 8 Apparel Line Lands September 17 With Three Items

EDWIN will release three apparel items tied to the flight shooting game ACE COMBAT 8 on September 17, made with VALLEY APPAREL L.L.C. and Dickies. The lineup is a reversible MA-1 flight jacket at 39,600 yen, a short-sleeve T-shirt at 6,600 yen, and a Dickies short-sleeve work shirt at 11,000 yen, all tax included.

Sep 15

ACE COMBAT 8 Trailer Sets Story in July 2029 Strangereal

Bandai Namco Entertainment released a story trailer and new details for ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE, set for October 2 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The prologue is set in July 2029 in Strangereal, where the Federated Central Usean Republic loses its main forces to a surprise invasion by the Republic of Sotoa. PROJECT ACES handles development. The trailer confirms three characters and the original FA-36 Game.

Sep 14

Ace Combat Hour Zero Prequel Series Streams On IGN Ahead Of Ace Combat 8 Launch

Bandai Namco Entertainment began streaming a trailer on Monday for Ace Combat Hour Zero, a live-action prequel series for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. IGN will stream four episodes on September 15, 17, 23, and 29, each running 6 to 11 minutes. Josh Holloway, Brandon Routh, and Tamlyn Tomita star. The game launches October 2 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

Sep 14

Ace Combat 8 Story Trailer Reveals New Cast And Superweapons

Bandai Namco released a story trailer for ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE on September 15. The game is set in 2029 in the series' Strangereal world, where the Federation of Central Usea rebuilds after an attack by the Republic of Sotoa. Camille Thuillier (Mamiko Noto), Gillish Toprak (Kenyu Horiuchi), D.D. (Setsuji Sato), and AWACS (Takashi Kondo) were announced, along with the Megafloat Fathom and the Spear of Tonitrus. It launches October 2 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Sep 14

BEAMS Marks TGS And 50th Anniversary With Game Art T-Shirt Collection

BEAMS will sell the GAME ARTeee COLLECTION, a T-shirt line tied to Tokyo Game Show 2026, from September 15, 2026. TGS official illustrator Zashikiwarashi drew new characters for seven domestic game companies, including Yuffie from FINAL FANTASY VII, Sonic, Astro, and Tasha from ACE COMBAT 8. Shirts cost 6,600 yen, with kids sizes at 4,950 yen.

Sep 10

Ace Combat 8 Live-Action Prequel HOUR ZERO Streams From September 15

Bandai Namco Entertainment announced that ACE COMBAT HOUR ZERO, a live-action prequel to ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE, will stream in four parts starting September 15. Josh Holloway plays a pilot, Brandon Routh a doctor, and Tamlyn Tomita a news anchor, three survivors of the invasion whose stories lead into the game's campaign. The full series finishes before the game's October 2 release.

Sep 7

Bandai Namco Reveals TGS2026 Merchandise Lineup with Early Sales at Makuhari Messe

Bandai Namco will sell new merchandise for Ace Combat, Tales of, Katamari Damacy, and other series at TGS2026. The early sales run September 17 to 21 at the ASOBI STORE branch in Makuhari Messe Hall 11. Items include a Katamari Damacy King Rainbow tissue box cover, a Little Nightmares Twin Chefs T-shirt, and an Ace Combat 8 tumbler. Pre-orders open on ASOBI STORE on September 28, with shipping planned from the end of January 2027.

Sep 1

Ace Combat 8 Trailer Reveals Largest Online Mode in Series History

Bandai Namco Entertainment released the online mode trailer for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve on September 1. The mode is positioned as the game's end content and the largest online mode in series history. Players take the role of mercenary pilots gathering at an air base lobby where up to 100 players can connect at once. The main missions are CooP Assault, a PvE mode in which two teams of four cooperate on missions and compete for high scores, and CooP Warfare, a PvPvE mode in which two teams of four fight each other alongside NPC units. CooP Warfare includes a threat level system: surviving without being shot down raises your threat, which increases score gained from kills but also the score given to opponents when you are shot down. Reaching three stars marks a player as an ace aircraft. Special missions include Emergency Sortie, where eight players face the series' signature giant weapons, and Scramble, a four-player fight against NPC rival units. The game launches October 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

Aug 28

Tokyo Game Show 2026 Offers Free LINE Stamps With Cloud, Sonic, Diana

Tokyo Game Show 2026 announced on August 24 that it will distribute free official LINE stamps in collaboration with popular game characters. The stamps became available on August 25 and will be distributed until November 16. Users can obtain them by adding the official TGS2026 LINE account as a friend. The lineup includes Cloud from Final Fantasy VII, Sonic from the Sonic series, Diana from Pragmata, and Astro from Astro Bot. Also included is Tasha Severskaya from Ace Combat 8, a title that has not yet been released. Each stamp features lines that symbolize the characters, such as "Not interested" and "TOO EASY!" Ahead of the distribution, silhouettes of eight stamps were revealed, hinting at the characters and their catchphrases. The event itself is scheduled to run from September 17 to September 21, spanning five days, the longest in its history. Tokyo Game Show marks its 30th anniversary this year, having first been held in 1996.

Aug 10

Ace Combat 8 Details Its Enhancement Parts System

Bandai Namco detailed the enhancement parts system for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve via the official Ace Combat X account. Parts fall into three types: BODY for handling, ARMS for weapon power, and MISC for special effects like detecting stealth aircraft. The August 4 post also introduced the AIRCRAFT TREE, a skill tree where players spend Military Result Points to unlock new aircraft, parts, and special weapons. The game launches October 2 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Aug 6

Thrustmaster Unveils Ace Combat 8 Flight Stick With Vibration

Thrustmaster, through its official Japanese distributor Gate, announced a new flight stick controller for the upcoming game "ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE." The controller, named "T.Flight HOTAS NEO ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Edition," is scheduled for release on October 2. It will be available in two model variants: one for PC and PlayStation 5/4 with an official PlayStation license, and another for PC and Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is around 28,000 yen including tax, though one source lists an estimated market price of 30,800 yen. The stick includes a vibration motor in the grip, a feature requested by Bandai Namco Entertainment, to transmit feedback from cannon fire, missile impacts, acceleration, and G-forces. It also adds a directional mini-stick on top of the stick, another request from the publisher. The controller uses magnetic hall effect sensors for precision and durability, and the throttle unit is detachable for flexible placement. Pre-orders began on August 6 in Japan, and the product carries an official license for both the game and PlayStation.

Aug 6

Bandai Namco Brings Ace Combat 8 and More to Tokyo Game Show 2026

Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on August 5 that it will exhibit at Tokyo Game Show 2026, held September 17 to 21 at Makuhari Messe. The company's main booth in Hall 5 will feature playable demos of several upcoming titles, including the latest entry in the Ace Combat series, ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE, which makes its first appearance at a domestic game event. Also on offer are demos for DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 3, scheduled for release within 2027, and the smartphone game BLEACH Mirrors High, which includes new characters designed by Tite Kubo. The demo for ACE COMBAT 8 requires a numbered ticket distributed at the booth on public days, September 19 to 21. Additional exhibits include ONE PIECE: Ocean's Delicious Restaurant, a simulation game where players manage a sea restaurant, and Tales of Eternia Remastered, which has a reservation campaign for original goods. The Family Game Park at TKP Tokyo Bay Makuhari Hall will host demos for Once Upon a Katamari and Tamagotchi's Petit Petit Omisecchi Omachido~sama! Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. New merchandise for several titles will be sold in advance at the ASOBI STORE satellite location in Hall 11.

Aug 5

Ace Combat 8 Gets First Domestic Showcase at Tokyo Game Show 2026

Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on August 5 that it will exhibit five titles at Tokyo Game Show 2026, held at Makuhari Messe from September 17 to 21. The main booth in Hall 5 will feature playable demos for 'ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE', 'Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3', 'One Piece: Sea of Delights Restaurant', and 'Bleach Mirrors High'. 'Tales of Eternia Remaster' will be present but only with a reservation campaign, no demo. 'ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE' is scheduled for release on October 2, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. It is the first in the series to feature a first-person perspective in its drama parts, and this will be its first exhibition at a domestic game event. Public days from September 19 to 21 will require a numbered ticket for the demo, distributed at the booth. Demo participants receive an original sticker. The Family Game Park at TKP Tokyo Bay Makuhari Hall will offer demos of 'Once Upon a Katamari' and 'Tamagotchi Petit Petit Store: Welcome! Nintendo Switch 2 Edition'. The ASOBI STORE satellite booth in Hall 11 will sell advance merchandise for 'Ace Combat 8', the 'Tales of' series, Katamari, Pac-Man, and Taiko no Tatsujin.

Jul 13

Amazon Prime Day 2026 Steam Deals: Ace Combat 7, Civilization VII, Tales of Vesperia

ASCII.jp is running a series of Amazon Prime Day 2026 recommendations for Steam games, with several titles discounted through July 13. Three notable deals include Bandai Namco's Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown - Top Gun: Maverick Ultimate Edition at 79 percent off, dropping from 12,650 yen to 2,657 yen. The edition includes the main game, Season Pass with three additional missions and aircraft, and a Top Gun aircraft set. Firaxis Games' Sid Meier's Civilization VII is half off at 4,400 yen, down from 8,800 yen. The latest installment divides campaigns into three eras and allows separate selection of leaders and civilizations. Bandai Namco's Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition is also 79 percent off at 1,317 yen, reduced from 6,270 yen. The definitive edition features upgraded graphics, additional playable characters, and scenarios not in the original Xbox 360 version. All three deals are available on Steam during the Prime Day event.

Jul 11

Hasegawa Kits ACE COMBAT 7's Mobius 1 F-4E Phantom II in 1/48 Scale

Hasegawa announced a 1/48 scale plastic model of the F-4E Phantom II from ACE COMBAT 7: SKIES UNKNOWN, featuring the markings of the DLC aircraft piloted by Mobius 1. The kit follows a previous 1/72 release and includes decals for the ISAF 118th Tactical Fighter Squadron. It is priced at 6,050 yen and scheduled for release on September 30, 2026.

Jun 30

Ace Combat Zero Port Included as Preorder Bonus for Ace Combat 8

Bandai Namco released a memorial video for the Ace Combat Zero port on June 30, the series' 31st anniversary. The PS2 classic is revived at 2160p/60fps and included as an early purchase and preorder bonus for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, which launches October 2, 2026 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Brand director Kazutoshi Kono also issued a message marking the anniversary.

Jun 23

Ace Combat 8 Standalone Entry Requires No Prior Series Knowledge

Bandai Namco confirmed that Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is a standalone title, so new players can enjoy it without playing previous games. The game is set in the Strangereal world on the Usea continent, 10 years after Ace Combat 7. It launches October 2, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows.

Jun 17

Hori Announces Ace Combat 8 Flight Stick With Magnetic Hall-Effect Sensors

Hori announced on June 17 that it will release the "ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Flight Stick for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Windows PC" (model SPF-034) on October 2 at a price of 21,980 yen. The stick uses magnetic hall-effect sensors for high precision and durability. It features a symmetrical grip for ambidextrous use, independent throttle and brake levers for quick operation, and a dedicated button for the High-G turn mechanic from the Ace Combat series. The base includes eight customizable free buttons and blue LED illumination. On PC, it supports both XInput and DirectInput. The stick connects via USB (Type-C to Type-A) and weighs about 1.1 kg. A twin-stick configuration requires purchasing two units. The product is licensed under the PlayStation Official License Program, though it lacks adaptive triggers, motion sensing, vibration, and audio functions.

Jun 17

HORI Reveals Flight Stick for Ace Combat 8, October Release Set

HORI opened product pages for a flight stick compatible with Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve on June 17. The peripheral launches in October 2026 for 21,980 yen on PS5, PS4, and Windows PC. It uses a Hall sensor, a High-G button for instant turns, and supports twin-stick mode with two units.

Jun 8

Street Fighter 6 Takes Top Spot in Latest Steam Rankings

Capcom's Street Fighter 6, boosted by the announcement of Year 4 characters including Tifa from Final Fantasy VII and a 50% discount, reached first place in the Steam sales rankings for the week of June 8, 2026. Forza Horizon 6 held second place, while Wuthering Waves, amid a Cyberpunk collaboration, ranked third. Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve debuted at tenth place ahead of its October release.

Jun 7

Automaton's Weekly Roundup: Ace Combat 8 Release Date, Monster Hunter Wilds DLC, and More

Automaton's 85th weekly roundup highlights seven notable game articles, including the October 2 release of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve with a pre-order bonus port of Ace Combat Zero, the announcement of Monster Hunter Wilds large DLC Ascendance featuring Kushala Daora and Lao-Shan Lung, and Palworld's official release on July 10 with its biggest update.

Jun 4

Ace Combat 8 Pilot Tasha Seversky Draws Fan Attention Before Release

The character Tasha Seversky from the upcoming flight shooter Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve has become a trending topic on social media, with fans calling her 'too cute' and expressing excitement to meet her in the game. Tasha is a female pilot from the Joker squadron's 3rd aircraft, a star pilot of the acrobatic team Zvezda, who gets caught up in a war during a promotional video shoot. The game launches October 2, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Jun 2

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Launches October 2, Includes Zero as Pre-Order Bonus

Bandai Namco Entertainment announced during Sony's State of Play livestream on June 3 that Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will launch on October 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The game is the latest entry in the Ace Combat series, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Players take the role of a fighter pilot rescued at sea by the aging aircraft carrier Endurance, belonging to the Federation of Central Usea. The player is entrusted with the legendary ace known as the Wings of Seave, a symbol of hope, and must reclaim lost territory alongside three new companions. The game is developed by Bandai Namco Aces Inc., a studio formed in July 2022 by Bandai Namco Entertainment and ILCA, and is built on Unreal Engine 5. A port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War will be included as a pre-order bonus for the digital version and as an early purchase bonus for the physical version. Early access for the Deluxe Edition begins on September 29.