Ace Combat 8 Pre-Orders Include Ace Combat Zero, With No Separate Sale Planned

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is approaching its October 2, 2026 launch date, and its pre-order offer has an unusually significant incentive for long-time fans of the aerial combat series. Players who pre-order the new game on PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X/S will receive Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, the 2006 PlayStation 2 entry, as a bonus.

More importantly, Bandai Namco Brand Director Kazutoki Kono has indicated that the return of Ace Combat Zero is intended to remain a pre-order gift rather than a separately sold release. That makes Wings of Theve pre-orders the only announced official route to obtaining the bonus version of the older game. For a series with a passionate audience and a lengthy history, that is likely to be as notable as the new game's own edition bonuses.

Wings of Theve will launch for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. Its standard edition is listed at $69.99 in the US, while UK digital pricing is listed at £54.99. Physical standard editions for the console versions have been listed around $69.99 in the US and £64.95 in the UK, though individual retailers and editions can vary. Digital PC pre-orders are available through Steam.

Ace Combat Zero is positioned as a pre-order-only gift

Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War originally launched for PlayStation 2 in 2006. It is remembered in particular for its setting, which explores the conflict known as the Belkan War, and for its place in the wider Strangereal continuity that connects many Ace Combat games. Its appearance alongside Wings of Theve gives newer players a chance to experience an older entry while providing established fans with a reason to revisit it.

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Kono described Zero as a gift for people buying the new title and said there are no plans to sell the bonus separately. While plans can always change over time, that statement is the clearest available indication that players who specifically want the official Ace Combat Zero bonus should not expect to simply buy it after Wings of Theve launches.

The arrangement has a precedent within the series. Ace Combat 5 was previously offered as a pre-order bonus tied to Ace Combat 7. In other words, this is not the first time a classic game has been used to reward early purchasers of a newer Ace Combat release. Even so, the limited nature of the offer means prospective buyers should check carefully that the edition and retailer they select explicitly include the pre-order entitlement.

Release date and Deluxe Edition early access

The full release of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is scheduled for October 2, 2026. The game is confirmed for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Those choosing the Deluxe Edition will receive three days of early access. Based on the announced October 2 release date, that places the early-access window ahead of the standard launch, although players should look to their platform storefront or retailer confirmation for the exact unlock timing in their region.

The Deluxe Edition costs $20 or £20 more than the standard version and also includes a Premium Ace Pass Plus Voucher and a customizable cosmetic set. The early-access period may be the most immediate benefit for players eager to begin the campaign or multiplayer activity as soon as possible, while the pass voucher and cosmetics are geared toward those who expect to spend more time with the game after launch.

What is included with each broad purchase option?

• Standard Edition: The base game, plus Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War when purchased during the eligible pre-order period.
• Deluxe Edition: The base game, the Ace Combat Zero pre-order bonus, three days of early access, a Premium Ace Pass Plus Voucher, and a customizable cosmetic set.
• Joker Flight Pack: A higher-end package containing the base game and Deluxe Edition content, along with the ACES at WAR A HISTORY 2029 artbook, two LP records, and a slipmat.
• Premium Joker Flight Pack: Adds an XXL LED gaming mousepad and a woven patch to the Joker Flight Pack contents.

The Joker Flight Pack and Premium Joker Flight Pack are available through Bandai Namco's online store. They are not described as a conventional Collector's Edition, but they serve a similar role for collectors who want physical extras beyond the game itself.

Retail listings cover both current console platforms

Physical copies of Ace Combat 8 have appeared at major US and UK retailers for PS5 and Xbox Series X. US listings include standard and Deluxe editions at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and GameStop. GameStop's listings prominently identify the pre-order bonus, while Best Buy notes that delivery could occur on or shortly after the October 2 release date. As ever with physical orders, availability and delivery timing can depend on location and stock allocation.

In the UK, Amazon, Very, The Game Collection, and Currys have listed editions of Wings of Theve. Availability differs between stores: some retailers have both standard and Deluxe options for both console families, while others carry a more limited range. Amazon UK, for example, lists both standard and Digital Deluxe stock, while Very's available Xbox option is the Deluxe version rather than the standard physical edition.

Pricing also is not identical across every UK listing. Several retailers have the game around £64.95, while Currys has listed it at £69.99. That difference is worth considering for players focused on physical media, especially because the Ace Combat Zero offer is tied to a pre-order rather than a particular premium package. The key detail is confirmation that the selected product is eligible for the bonus.

A flight stick option is also available

Players planning to use a more dedicated control setup have another item to consider. An official Hori Ace Combat 8 Flight Stick has been listed in the US for $129.99. Flight sticks are far from mandatory for Ace Combat, which has traditionally been accessible with a standard controller, but they can be an appealing peripheral for fans seeking a more cockpit-oriented experience.

That hardware listing also underscores the scale of the Wings of Theve launch. Between standard editions, a Deluxe edition, collectible packs, and a branded flight stick, the new game is receiving a broader merchandising push than a simple digital release. Players do not need the additional hardware or collector packages to receive the game itself, however, and the major gameplay-related decision remains whether the Deluxe Edition's early access and additional content are worth the extra cost.

Why the Ace Combat Zero offer matters

For the Ace Combat community, Zero's inclusion has value beyond ordinary bonus DLC. The PlayStation 2 game is a full earlier installment rather than a cosmetic item, a small mission pack, or a currency bundle. It also has a distinct historical place in the franchise, making it especially relevant to players interested in returning to the older Strangereal stories before beginning Wings of Theve.

Ace Combat Zero is being treated as a thank-you for early buyers, not as a product currently planned for individual sale.

That approach can make the decision to pre-order more complicated. Some players generally prefer to wait for reviews, performance impressions, and post-launch feedback before purchasing a major release. The limited availability of Zero creates a reason to decide earlier than they otherwise might. On the other hand, the stated plan does not change the usual caution around pre-orders: customers should choose the edition they want, verify bonus eligibility at checkout, and review the retailer's cancellation and delivery policies.

It is also worth separating confirmed details from assumptions. Ace Combat 8 is set for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on October 2, 2026, and the Deluxe Edition offers three days of early access. Ace Combat Zero is announced as a pre-order bonus for PC and the console versions, with no separate sale planned at present. No further standalone availability for Zero has been announced, and buyers should not assume it will be added later simply because other games sometimes receive post-launch bonus content.

The practical choice before launch

For players who only want Wings of Theve, the standard edition is the straightforward purchase and still carries the most unusual pre-order reward: Ace Combat Zero. The Deluxe Edition is aimed at those who value the early start, cosmetic customization, and Premium Ace Pass Plus Voucher. Collectors have the Joker Flight Pack options, while sim-minded players can consider the Hori flight stick separately.

Whichever version they choose, fans who want Ace Combat Zero should make sure their purchase is completed as an eligible pre-order before the October 2 launch window closes. With Bandai Namco currently describing the PS2 classic as a bonus with no intended standalone sale, the offer is more than a routine extra. It is a temporary opportunity to pick up one of the series' older games alongside its next major flight.