Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launches October 2, 2026 (early access September 28 for Deluxe Edition owners), and Bandai Namco has already confirmed a lot: over 30 playable aircraft across four categories, a returning Ace Style gauge, a new dual special weapon system, and the series’ first cross-platform online mode, Ace Combat Online.
We’re building this guide in parallel with the game’s own reveal schedule — every aircraft confirmation, every dev diary, every editions or Ace Pass detail gets logged here, usually within a day of the official announcement.
What’s confirmed right now
- Release date: October 2, 2026 globally, with Deluxe Edition early access from September 28 at 3PM PDT
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam) — no VR support this time
- Pre-order bonus: F-14A aircraft plus a digital copy of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
- Aircraft count: “over 30” playable aircraft confirmed by producer Manabu Shimomoto, split across Multirole, Air Superiority, Attacker, and Interceptor categories
See our aircraft list and editions comparison for the full breakdown, and check back — this page and the rest of the guide get updated as soon as new information drops.