Pilots, get your helmets ready. ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE is about to tear across the sky, and if you want to be flying on day one, you need the important details. Here is a clean, no fluff guide to the ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE release date, edition comparison, preorder bonus, and system requirements.
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Release Date and Global Unlock Times
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE launches on October 2, 2026. Deluxe Edition owners get 3 days of early access, so they can start flying on September 28 or 29, depending on where they live.
|
Region |
Standard Edition launch |
Deluxe Edition early access |
|
US Pacific Time (PT) |
October 1, 3:00 PM |
September 28, 3:00 PM |
|
US Eastern Time (ET) |
October 1, 6:00 PM |
3 days before standard unlock |
|
Europe CEST (France, Germany, Spain) |
October 2, 12:00 AM |
|
|
UK BST |
October 1, 11:00 PM |
|
|
Singapore / Beijing / Hong Kong (SGT / CST / HKT) |
October 2, 6:00 AM |
|
|
Japan (JST) |
October 2, 7:00 AM |
Keep an eye on PlayStation and Bandai Namco social channels. Right before launch, they usually post a one image global unlock map, so you can screenshot it and save it for quick reference.
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Edition Comparison and Price
According to Bandai Namco’s official store, ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE comes in two editions: Standard and Deluxe.
|
Edition |
Price |
What you get |
Who it’s for |
|
Standard Edition |
$69.99 USD / €69.99 |
The base game, including the grand single player campaign and basic online battles. |
Pilots who just want the core experience. |
|
Deluxe Edition |
$89.99 USD / €89.99 |
The base game, 3 days of early access, a Premium Ace Pass Plus voucher, and an exclusive customizable cosmetic set. |
Diehard fans who want to fly early, grab the first season pass, and stand out with exclusive cosmetics. |
Preorder bonus: No matter which edition you preorder, you get the classic Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War as a high resolution digital port on PS5 and PC. You also get the limited playable aircraft F-14A Tomcat.
Buying advice: If you mainly want the single player story, the $69.99 Standard Edition** is the value pick. If you are a series loyalist who wants 3 days of early access, the first season pass, and exclusive paint jobs, the $89.99 Deluxe Edition is absolutely worth it.
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE System Requirements
This one is built on Unreal Engine 5, so it asks more from rendering and particle effects. Here is what your PC needs for ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE.
PC Requirements (Steam)
|
Component |
Minimum (1080p / base quality) |
Recommended (1080p 60fps / high quality) |
|
OS |
64 bit Windows 10/11 |
64 bit Windows 10/11 |
|
Processor |
Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 |
Intel Core i7-10700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X |
|
Memory |
12 GB RAM |
16 GB RAM |
|
Graphics |
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 580 (8 GB) or higher |
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (8 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT |
|
Storage |
125 GB, SSD strongly recommended |
125 GB NVMe SSD |
Console Requirements
PS5: Reserve about 130 GB of internal high speed SSD space. Updating to the latest system firmware is recommended.
Xbox Series X|S: Current generation only. Xbox One is not supported. Reserve about 125 GB of storage.
Related CDKEY and Gift Cards
Conclusion
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE lands on October 2, 2026, and Deluxe Edition owners get a 3 day head start. The Standard Edition costs $69.99 USD / €69.99, while the Deluxe Edition runs $89.99 USD / €89.99 and adds early access, a Premium Ace Pass Plus voucher, and exclusive cosmetics. Preorder either version and you also get the Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War high resolution digital port plus the F-14A Tomcat. On PC, expect to set aside 125 GB and meet the listed specs. On console, PS5 wants about 130 GB, and Xbox Series X|S wants about 125 GB. Pick your edition, clear your drive, and get ready to fly.
FAQ
Q: Is the Ace Combat Zero preorder bonus a full remake?
A: No. It is not a full remake. It is a classic high resolution digital port, so players can relive the classic on modern consoles and PC.
Q: How early can Deluxe Edition owners play?
A: Deluxe Edition owners get 3 days of early access and can enter the skies on September 29. In some time zones, that starts on the afternoon of September 28.
Q: Does the game support PS VR2 at launch?
A: At launch, all platforms use a standard screen view. No PS VR2 support plan has been announced at this time.
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Eva Experienced Game Editor
I'm a video game guide editor. I love all kinds of video games, especially turn-based games. Right now, I'm playing a lot of Honkai: Star Rail, and I really enjoy planning strategies for each battle. I'm also passionate about open-world games like Genshin Impact, where exploring every corner of the map and discovering new stories is a wonderful experience. Plus, I'm a big fan of simulation and collection games, like Stardew Valley: farming, raising animals, and decorating my farm is very relaxing for me. As a guide editor, my goal is to help other players enjoy the game more by sharing useful tips and uncovering hidden secrets.
