Bandai Namco announced the release date for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve during Sony's State of Play livestream this week. The latest entry in the long-running air combat franchise touches down October 2 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

Pre-order players will receive Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War as a bonus, giving fans a chance to revisit the beloved 2005 PlayStation 2 classic. The franchise has maintained a dedicated following since the original 1992 release, with Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown launching in January 2019 after multiple delays.

Ace Combat 7 eventually reached most major platforms, including a Deluxe Edition that arrived on Nintendo Switch in July 2024. That release introduced the series to Switch players nearly five years after the PS4 launch, showing Bandai Namco's commitment to bringing the franchise to wider audiences.

The next mainline entry has been in development since at least 2021, when producer Kazutoki Kono confirmed the team was working on a new Ace Combat game. Wings of Theve marks the franchise's return to the forefront of flight combat gaming, arriving when the genre has fewer major entries than it did during the PS2 era.

With a simultaneous release across current-generation consoles and PC, Ace Combat 8 signals Bandai Namco's push for broader accessibility. The inclusion of a classic title in the pre-order bonus package also appeals to series veterans while introducing newcomers to the franchise's legacy.

The announcement comes as part of Sony's ongoing State of Play series, which showcases both first-party PlayStation titles and major third-party releases heading to the platform. October 2 marks a significant date for flight sim fans looking for their next aerial combat fix.