Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia today announced more information about ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE, the newest title to be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam on October 2, 2026.
Fans and new players alike can learn more about this highly anticipated title and get ready to rise above to become an ace pilot. The game’s control and camera views and customisation features have been revealed in this announcement, along with the package retail bonus for players who purchase the PlayStation 5 package edition.
Challenge Coin
Players who purchase the PlayStation®5 package edition will be able to receive an exclusive Challenge Coin with every limited early purchase of the game*.
*While stocks last. Check with your nearest authorised retailer before purchase.
Controls and Camera Views
As with previous titles in the series, this title will feature two control schemes and three different camera angles. Players can fly freely through the skies according to their own preferences and abilities.
Control Type
- Standard – A control scheme where players simply tilt the left stick left or right to turn the aircraft. Recommended for those who prefer intuitive gameplay.
- Expert – A control method that uses roll and pitch to turn the aircraft. Recommended for those who wish to perform the kind of precise manoeuvres typical of real aircraft.
Camera View
Players will also be entranced by breathtaking views and beautiful skies. Through its proprietary middleware engine, ‘Cloudly’, the game delivers the most substantial and multi-layered clouds in the series’ history, as well as realistic and evocative atmospheric phenomena such as the Brocken spectre and sunbeams. This enables us to offer a uniquely immersive flying experience exclusive to ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE, featuring endless seas of clouds, enveloping cloud corridors, and breathtaking vistas glimpsed through gaps in the clouds.
The enhanced sky goes beyond mere graphical refinement to incorporate genuine ‘functionality’. By recreating elements such as enemy contrails, damage smoke and canopy reflections as visual cues for the player, it has dramatically increased the amount of information available to inform the player’s own judgements—a crucial aspect of dogfighting. Through these realistic depictions, players undergo a deep process of ‘observing, deducing and deciding’ on the situation, allowing them to experience gameplay brimming with strategic depth and an immersive sensation that comes close to the illusion of actually flying through the skies.
Customization Features
Players can use Military Result Points (MRP) earned in Campaign Mode to obtain new aircraft, upgrade parts, and special weapons. Obtaining an aircraft and upgrade part unlocks the next tier of aircraft and upgrade parts with even higher performance.
As there are multiple branching paths to obtaining these, players need to carefully consider which aircraft and parts they wish to acquire and proceed in a strategic manner. By playing the game thoroughly, players will eventually be able to obtain all aircraft, parts, and special weaponry.
Aircraft & Special Weaponry
Aircraft – Players can use MRP to acquire various aircraft. The aircraft acquired can be viewed in the hangar and are available for use in missions.
Special Weaponry – MRP can also be used to acquire new special weaponry. Players can view the special weaponry acquired in the hangar and, as missions progress, be able to equip two types of special weaponry.
Upgrade Parts
Players can customise their aircraft
- BODY: Enhances aircraft performance, such as flight speed and roll stability.
- ARMS: Enhances the performance of machine guns, standard missiles and special weaponry.
- MISC: Grants special effects such as improved detection of stealth enemy aircraft and prevention of ice build-up.
Skins & Emblems
In Campaign Mode, completing the story unlocks the ability to customise aircraft with
(Note: In Online Mode, the skin and emblem customisation features are unlocked from the start.)
Playable Aircraft
F-14D Super Tomcat (Fighter Jet)
A large carrier-based fighter able to carry long-range anti-air missiles. Its automatic variable wings allow for superior combat at all speeds and altitudes. Its unofficial nickname, “Super Tomcat,” is derived from the A-model.
A-10C Thunderbolt II (Attack Aircraft)
A highly durable attacker with heavy weaponry designed for close air support. Its agility at low speeds and its air-to-ground weaponry —including 30mm machine guns — help it prove its worth in battle. Its nickname is “Thunderbolt II”.
Mirage2000-5 (Multi-role Aircraft)
A light fighter with delta wings and no horizontal tail wing. The 2000-5 is a multi-role fighter whose well-balanced speed and maneuverability and fly-by-wire controls provide it with inherently excellent flying stability. Its nickname is “Mirage”.
EA-6B Prowler (Electronic Warfare Aircraft)
An EW aircraft that is a significant redesign of the once cutting-edge A-6. Nicknamed “Prowler”, it features a radome on the vertical tail’s upper edge. Aside from using electronic interference and reconnaissance for support, it is also proficient in handling enemy defense networks.
F-35C Lightning II (Multi-role Aircraft)
A multi-role fighter with stealth capabilities, the C-model is a carrier-based aircraft flown by the navy. Developed as part of the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) program, it can be configured for a variety of both air-to-air and ground attack mission profiles. Its nickname is “Lightning II”.
EA-18G Growler (Electronic Warfare Aircraft)
An EW attacker based on the F/A-18F, developed as a successor to the EA-6B. Known as “Growler”, it is defined by its blend of attack capabilities, and is also outfitted with air-to-air missiles for self-defense.
F-15C Eagle (Fighter Jet)
A large twin-engine air superiority fighter that boasts excellent performance. Nicknamed “Eagle”, it has great speed, maneuverability, and endurance, allowing it to dominate the skies.
F-4E Phantom II (Multi-role Aircraft)
A large fighter aircraft developed for carrier and land. The E-model is a variant with additional fixed armaments used by the air force. Nicknamed “Phantom II”, it set numerous speed records after it was developed.
Su-34 Fullback (Attack Aircraft)
A large fighter-bomber developed based on the Su-27. Heavily armed, armored, and capable of high speeds, it is also equipped with a more than adequate air-to-air self-defense armament. It is known by the codename “Fullback”.
Su-25SM Frogfoot (Attack Aircraft)
An attack aircraft specialised in close air support ground attacks. It boasts high survivability owing to its stout airframe and titanium armour. Its nickname is “Frogfoot”.
Su-57 Felon (Fighter Jet)
A cutting-edge stealth fighter designed to succeed current air superiority fighters. Developed based on the PAK FA program, features such as the thrust-vectoring nozzles result in unmatched control. Its code name is “Felon”.
MiG-31B Foxhound (Fighter Jet)
A large interceptor that boasts high speeds on a world-class scale. It boasts long-range air-to-air missiles loaded with the latest avionics, as well as the ability to fly at high speeds in order to intercept cruise missiles.