For most players, the $69.99 Standard Edition of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is the one to buy, because the pre-order bonus (the F-14A and a port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War) comes with every edition. Pay $89.99 for the Deluxe Edition only if you want to start flying right now through its three days of early access, or you plan to spend real time in the online mode, which is where almost all of its extras live.
Below: every edition and price, the pre-order bonus, what Deluxe adds, the collector’s packs, and a pick for each type of player, verified against Bandai Namco’s official site and FAQ, its official stores, and the PlayStation, Xbox and Steam listings as of September 28, 2026.
Every Edition and Price
Ace Combat 8 is out on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC through Steam. US prices are the same on every storefront:
| Edition | US price | Where | What is inside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $69.99 | All platforms, digital or disc | The game |
| Deluxe | $89.99 | All platforms, digital or disc | Game, 3 days of early access, Premium Ace Pass Plus voucher, Customizable Cosmetic Set |
| Joker Flight Pack | $149.99 | Bandai Namco Store only, PS5 or Steam | Deluxe Edition, The Vinyl Collection, the ACES at WAR: A HISTORY 2029 artbook |
Standard and Deluxe also come on disc for PS5 and Xbox Series X; the disc-less Series S is digital only.
The Pre-Order Bonus Comes With Every Edition
Every edition pre-ordered before launch adds two things:
- The F-14A as a playable aircraft. Store listings note that bonuses other than Zero “may be released at a later date,” so the plane may unlock after the game itself.
- Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, as a separate app for your platform (a Steam version, a PS5 version or an Xbox Series X|S version). Bandai Namco Europe’s FAQ is clear that this is a port of the 2006 PS2 game, not a remaster. It supports six languages, fewer than Ace Combat 8 itself.
Bandai Namco ties the bonus to orders placed before October 2 and has not announced another way to get the Zero port after launch. If Zero sends you back a generation, our best PS2 games list covers that era.
What the Deluxe Edition Actually Adds
Three days of early access. It began at 3:00 PM PDT on September 28 (6:00 PM EDT and 22:00 UTC, which is midnight CEST and 7:00 AM JST on September 29). The full game unlocks for everyone at 3:00 PM PDT on October 1, already October 2 in Europe and Asia; the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store and Steam all list the same moment. Our launch trailer and early access story has the PC specs too.
Per Bandai Namco Europe, a digital Deluxe bought during the early access window arrives already unlocked, so it is not too late. Bandai Namco’s FAQ also confirms Deluxe stays on sale after launch, just without the early access perk. Physical buyers depend on shipping: the US Bandai Namco Store cannot guarantee the disc arrives in time, and Bandai Namco says early access is digital-only in some countries.
The Premium Ace Pass Plus voucher. It redeems one season of the Premium Ace Pass plus an instant 30-level skip. Per the official FAQ, the voucher is not tied to a season, so you can save it for a later one. Redeeming it during Season 1 instantly unlocks the ADFX-02 Morgan -PIXY-, which you can fly online, and in the campaign only after you complete every campaign mission.
The Customizable Cosmetic Set. Four items:
- F-4E Mobius Squadron 25th Anniversary skin
- F/A-18C Team Zvezda skin (the aerobatic team Tasha Severskaya flew for)
- Tasha Costume Set for your online avatar
- Scarlet Missile Smoke
The costume and smoke work only in the online mode. The two skins work online and, per Bandai Namco, in the campaign only after you finish all missions. The Xbox Store also sells the Cosmetic Set on its own and warns Deluxe owners not to buy it twice.
The Joker Flight Pack and Regional Collector’s Boxes
There is no product called a Collector’s Edition in North America. The collector’s tier is the Joker Flight Pack, sold only through Bandai Namco’s official US store for PS5 or Steam. It bundles the Deluxe Edition with The Vinyl Collection (15 tracks on two white vinyl records with a gatefold sleeve and slipmat) and the hardcover ACES at WAR: A HISTORY 2029 artbook, which Bandai Namco lists at 208 pages. As of September 28 both versions show “Waitlist” rather than in stock.
The Vinyl Collection (records plus artbook) is also sold alone for $79.99, limited to 2,999 units worldwide. Deluxe plus that set would cost $169.98 separately, so the pack saves about $20 if you want both.
Other regions get different boxes:
- Europe: a Joker Flight Pack (€149.99) and a Premium Joker Flight Pack (€179.99) that adds a woven Wings of Theve patch and an XXL LED mousepad. Both are PC-only there (Steam key) and listed out of stock.
- Japan: a Collector’s BOX (¥14,300 plus tax) with the artbook, a multi steelbook case, a soundtrack USB and a Joker Flight sticker set, and an ACE of ACES BOX (¥36,000 plus tax) that adds a 30th anniversary pin set and a dog tag. Both cover PS5 and Steam.
Which Edition to Buy
- Campaign-only players: Standard. Most Deluxe extras are online-only, and the two skins unlock in the campaign only after the credits. Our how long to beat guide shows how much campaign you are getting.
- Online players: Deluxe. A season of premium pass plus the 30-level skip and an early Morgan is the real value; our multiplayer guide explains how Ace Combat Online and the Ace Pass work.
- Impatient pilots: digital Deluxe, for early access that is live now.
- Collectors: the Joker Flight Pack, if the waitlist opens up.
Whichever you pick, our planes list and the Ace Combat 8 hub will get you started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ace Combat 8 Deluxe Edition worth it? If you plan to play online, yes: the voucher alone covers a season of the Premium Ace Pass. Campaign-only players get the same story and pre-order bonus from Standard.
Does every edition come with Ace Combat Zero? Yes, if you pre-order before October 2. Standard, Deluxe and the Joker Flight Pack all include the Zero port and the F-14A.
Can I still get early access? Yes. Buying the digital Deluxe Edition during the early access window unlocks the game immediately, per Bandai Namco Europe.
Is there an Ace Combat 8 Collector’s Edition? Not by that name in North America. The closest thing is the $149.99 Joker Flight Pack from Bandai Namco’s store; Japan has its own Collector’s BOX.
Can I play Ace Combat 8 on Xbox Series S with a disc? No. The Series S has no disc drive, so buy digitally from the Xbox Store.