Ace Combat 8: Wings of the Ve, will be given to you if you preorder it.

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Bandai Namco Entertainment has officially announced the release date for Ace Combat 8: Wings of the Ve. The game is set to launch on October 2, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Players who opt for the Digital Deluxe Edition will gain early access starting September 29, 2026. This release marks the first new episode in the Ace Combat franchise in nine years. Ace Combat 8 is built using Unreal Engine 5 and Bandai Namco Aces proprietary technologies, promising the most spectacular episode yet. The game will introduce systems like Cloudly to enhance environmental realism and weather conditions. A preorder bonus will be included with the game.

The story unfolds in the fictional universe of Strangereal. The Usea Central Federation (FCU) has been invaded, and its army is nearly annihilated. Players embody an elite pilot named Wings, who becomes a symbol of resistance and hope for the capital city of Theve. Alongside three allies—Baxter, Tasha, and Coster—as part of the Joker Flight squadron, players will lead a counteroffensive against the Sotoa Republic to reclaim their homeland. The new trailer highlights large-scale aerial battles and a broader range of mission objectives. These missions will require players to destroy both land and naval targets, and confront colossal war machines serving as boss enemies, such as a terrestrial battleship hundreds of meters long. Players will have access to approximately thirty aircraft, categorized from fighters and ground attack aircraft to multipurpose planes and electronic warfare aircraft. In terms of multiplayer, Bandai Namco has confirmed Ace Combat Online, presented as the franchise’s most ambitious online mode to date. Players can customize their avatars, explore an airbase before missions, and participate in various competitive or cooperative activities. Crossplay support is also confirmed.

Ace Combat 8: Deluxe Edition & Premium Ace Pass, Preorders Include Bonuses & Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War

Several editions and preorder bonuses are available. The Premium Ace Pass, sold separately, includes an instant unlock of 30 Ace Pass levels, bonus rewards, and the playable ADFX02 MORGAN PIXY aircraft. The Ace Combat 8 Digital Deluxe Edition features a Customisable Cosmetic Set with skins for the F4 Mobius Squadron 25th Anniversary and FA18C Team Zvezda aircraft, as well as Scarlet Missile Smoke and Tasha’s Costume. The Joker Flight Pack, exclusively available at the Bandai Namco Store, includes all Deluxe Edition content plus The Vinyl Collection: two LP vinyl records of the soundtrack, a 200-page artbook titled ACES at WAR HISTORY 2029, a collectible slipcase, and a slipmat. Preorders for Ace Combat 8: Wings of the Ve are open now and include a digital copy of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, a 2006 PS2 release considered a highly appreciated installment in the series. Further details regarding Ace Combat 8’s online multiplayer modes will be revealed closer to launch.