Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launches October 2, 2026 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, with a pre-order bonus port of Ace Combat Zero. Pre-orders for two special editions are open, and a licensed flight stick from Hori ships the same day.
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve during Sony's State of Play livestream on June 3, 2026, with a release date of October 2. The game is developed by Bandai Namco Aces Inc., a studio formed in July 2022 by Bandai Namco Entertainment and ILCA, and runs on Unreal Engine 5. It is set in the Strangereal world on the Usea continent, 10 years after Ace Combat 7, and is a standalone entry that requires no prior series knowledge. Players take the role of a fighter pilot rescued by the aging aircraft carrier Endurance, belonging to the Federation of Central Usea, and are entrusted with the legendary ace known as the Wings of Seave.
A port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, revived at 2160p/60fps, is included as a pre-order bonus for the digital version and as an early purchase bonus for the physical version. The character Tasha Seversky, a female pilot from the Joker squadron's 3rd aircraft and a star pilot of the acrobatic team Zvezda, has drawn fan attention on social media before release. Bandai Namco opened pre-orders on June 3 for two special editions at Premium Bandai: the Collector's Box at 15,730 yen and the Ace of Aces Box at 39,600 yen, both shipping in September.
Hori announced on June 17 a licensed flight stick for Ace Combat 8, model SPF-034, launching October 2 at 21,980 yen for PS5, PS4, and Windows PC. The stick uses magnetic hall-effect sensors, features a dedicated High-G button, and supports twin-stick mode with two units. Bandai Namco also released a memorial video for the Ace Combat Zero port on June 30, the series' 31st anniversary, with a message from brand director Kazutoshi Kono.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bandai Namco Entertainment opened pre-orders on June 3 for two special editions of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve at Premium Bandai. The Collector's Box costs 15,730 yen and the Ace of Aces Box costs 39,600 yen, both shipping in September ahead of the game's October 2 release.
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.
Game Spark reports that the third installment of Final Fantasy VII Remake, along with Persona 4 Revival and Ace Combat 8, may receive updates at June 2026 game events including Summer Game Fest, State of Play, and the Xbox Games Showcase. Director Naoki Hamaguchi said in February that the team plans to share more information this year.