Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Mixes Anime and Aviation to Deliver a Stunning Action-Adventure
Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2026 5:00 pm
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Mixes Anime and Aviation to Deliver a Stunning Action-Adventure Mike Nelson, XBOX Wire Editor[/list] Published June 15, 2026 Summary
- We go hands-on with Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve and came away impressed with how this next entry in the long-running series is looking to be the most personal yet.
- This cinematic storytelling is one of the biggest changes in years for the series, by telling its story from a first-person perspective it helps immerse you further in the moment-to-moment air combat drama.
- Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is launching October 2, 2026, for XBOX Series X|S and is available for pre-order today on the XBOX Store. Or Grab Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Deluxe Edition to start playing on September 28, 2026. Pre-order any version of the game to receive a copy of the classic Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War for free.
One of my first thoughts from the reveal trailer of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve a few months ago was how that dog on the carrier flight deck could not possibly be following protocol. That doggy detail helps to reinforce the fictional realm of Ace Combat’s Strangereal universe, where continents like Osea, Belka, Erusea, Sotoa, and Usea cover the globe and routinely engage in hostilities via air combat.
That trailer also gave us a hint at how ACE8 will be changing, with a first-person narrative perspective mixed with high-stakes combat. At Summer Game Fest: Play Days we had a chance to go hands-on with this anticipated title and came away impressed with how this next entry in the long-running series is looking to be the most personal yet.
.post-template-default .xwsrc-block-content-block .wp-block-column.flex-basis-50.push--25.column--content { flex: 100%; margin-left: 0; } Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is launching October 2, 2026, for XBOX Series X|S and is available for pre-order today on the XBOX Store. Or Grab Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Deluxe Edition to start playing on September 28, 2026. Pre-order any version of the game to receive a copy of the classic Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War for free.
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Deluxe Edition Pre-Order
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆ 12 ★★★★★ $89.99 Pre-order Pre-order Bonus includes: – Playable Aircraft: F-14A – ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Xbox Series X|S Version) – 3-Day Early Access *Early Access is scheduled to begin on September 28, 2026 at 3:00 PM (PDT) *Release date, contents and specifications are subject to change without notice. *Bonuses other than ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Xbox Series X|S Version) may be released at a later date. *ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR was also known as ACE COMBAT: THE BELKAN WAR in some regions. *ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Xbox Series X|S Version) Supported Languages: Japanese, English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. Please be aware of potential language differences from ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE when purchasing. The Deluxe Edition includes: – ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE – Customizable Cosmetic Set – PREMIUM ACE PASS PLUS Voucher ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE delivers high-octane aerial action! Step into the cockpit and take flight as an elite pilot across stunning skies. Enter intense dogfights, eliminate threats, and rise through gripping missions to earn your wings in this game developed by PROJECT ACES, the acclaimed team behind the franchise. Aerial Warfare in Living Skies. Campaign Mode showcases stunning visuals with dynamic multi-layered cloudscapes that capture the majesty of living skies. Feel the rush of fast-paced arcade-style gameplay while deploying powerful weapons to dominate the battlefield. A visceral journey from cockpit to ground. Beyond the chaos in the air, exhilarating first-person scenes reveal your pilot’s story through breathtaking cinematics. Experience the pressure of command, the weight of decisions, and the bonds forged in battle. Between missions, bond with your squad members, rise to meet adversity, and prove yourself as a true ace. The Largest Online Mode of the Series ACE COMBAT ONLINE delivers the most expansive multiplayer experience in franchise history. Step into the series’ first online lobby, explore an air base with your custom avatar before diving into multiplayer games. Sortie into online missions with pilots worldwide in a variety of modes including Co-Op and cross platform play. *This is the Deluxe Edition of the game. A Standard Edition is also available. Please take care to avoid duplicate purchases. —- ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE
& ©Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. CORE IMAGERY – VIEW-READY © 2025 Vantor. All trademarks and copyrights associated with the manufacturers, aircraft, models, trade names, brands and visual images depicted in this game are the property of their respective owners, and used with such permissions. Produced under license. BOEING and all Boeing product names, logos, brands, and their distinctive markings and trade dress are trademarks of The Boeing Company. Copyright Dassault Aviation 2026 © Eurofighter Typhoon is one of the leading combat aircraft in the world. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH. Produced in cooperation with Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Lockheed Martin Trademarks used under license to Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. The Northrop Grumman name, logos, aircraft, and content are trademarks and copyrights of Northrop Grumman. Copyright SAAB AB Produced under license. Bell and all Bell product names, logos, brands, and their distinctive markings and trade dress are trademarks of Textron Innovations Inc.
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Pre-Order
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆ 12 ★★★★★ $69.99 Pre-order Pre-order Bonus includes: – Playable Aircraft: F-14A – ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Xbox Series X|S Version) *Release date, contents and specifications are subject to change without notice. *Bonuses other than ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Xbox Series X|S Version) may be released at a later date. *ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR was also known as ACE COMBAT: THE BELKAN WAR in some regions. *ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Xbox Series X|S Version) Supported Languages: Japanese, English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. Please be aware of potential language differences from ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE when purchasing. ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE delivers high-octane aerial action! Step into the cockpit and take flight as an elite pilot across stunning skies. Enter intense dogfights, eliminate threats, and rise through gripping missions to earn your wings in this game developed by PROJECT ACES, the acclaimed team behind the franchise. Aerial Warfare in Living Skies. Campaign Mode showcases stunning visuals with dynamic multi-layered cloudscapes that capture the majesty of living skies. Feel the rush of fast-paced arcade-style gameplay while deploying powerful weapons to dominate the battlefield. A visceral journey from cockpit to ground. Beyond the chaos in the air, exhilarating first-person scenes reveal your pilot’s story through breathtaking cinematics. Experience the pressure of command, the weight of decisions, and the bonds forged in battle. Between missions, bond with your squad members, rise to meet adversity, and prove yourself as a true ace. The Largest Online Mode of the Series ACE COMBAT ONLINE delivers the most expansive multiplayer experience in franchise history. Step into the series’ first online lobby, explore an air base with your custom avatar before diving into multiplayer games. Sortie into online missions with pilots worldwide in a variety of modes including Co-Op and cross platform play. *This is the Standard Edition of the game. A Deluxe Edition is also available. Please take care to avoid duplicate purchases. —- ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE
& ©Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. CORE IMAGERY – VIEW-READY © 2025 Vantor. All trademarks and copyrights associated with the manufacturers, aircraft, models, trade names, brands and visual images depicted in this game are the property of their respective owners, and used with such permissions. Produced under license. BOEING and all Boeing product names, logos, brands, and their distinctive markings and trade dress are trademarks of The Boeing Company. Copyright Dassault Aviation 2026 © Eurofighter Typhoon is one of the leading combat aircraft in the world. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH. Produced in cooperation with Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Lockheed Martin Trademarks used under license to Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. The Northrop Grumman name, logos, aircraft, and content are trademarks and copyrights of Northrop Grumman. Copyright SAAB AB Produced under license. Bell and all Bell product names, logos, brands, and their distinctive markings and trade dress are trademarks of Textron Innovations Inc. .post-template-default .xwsrc-block-content-block .wp-block-column.flex-basis-50.push--25.column--content { flex: 100%; margin-left: 0; }
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Source: https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/06/15/ ... -aviation/