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Freedom251 › Blog › Ace Combat 8

Ace Combat 8 Aircraft Skins: What You Can Unlock and What Costs Extra

By Freedom251 Team · · 3 min read

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ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE has both unlockable and paid aircraft skins. Bandai Namco’s Season 1 reward list includes 12 skins on the free Ace Pass track and 13 more on the Premium Ace Pass track. Separate Deluxe Edition cosmetics include two named skins, which are for Online Mode at first and become usable in Campaign Mode after you complete the campaign. The publisher says the game does not include paid loot boxes or other randomized paid rewards.

Free and Premium Ace Pass skins

The Season 1 announcement, published by Bandai Namco Entertainment America on 1 October 2026, distinguishes free-track rewards from rewards that require Premium Ace Pass access. These counts apply to Season 1; they should not be assumed for later seasons.

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Route What Season 1 lists How access works
Free Ace Pass 12 aircraft skins Earn pass rewards by progressing through ACE COMBAT ONLINE. No Premium Ace Pass purchase is needed for the free track.
Premium Ace Pass 13 additional aircraft skins, plus the playable ADFX-02 Morgan–PIXY Premium rewards require Premium track access, then progression through that track. The season announcement does not state a pass price.

Bandai Namco says each ACE PASS season lasts two months. Completing all 100 levels across the Free and Premium Ace Pass before the season ends awards 500 Ace Coins in total, according to its Season 1 announcement. These are Season 1 figures, not a standing guarantee for future passes. See Bandai Namco’s Season One reward details.

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Deluxe Edition skins are a separate route

The Deluxe Edition includes the Customizable Cosmetic Set, which names the F-4E “MOBIUS SQUADRON” skin and F/A-18C “TEAM ZVEZDA” skin. The set also includes the Tasha costume and Scarlet missile smoke customization. These edition cosmetics are not the same thing as rewards on the free or Premium Ace Pass tracks.

#1 Best Overall
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE DELUXE EDITION - PS5
  • DELUXE EDITION INCLUDES: Base Game, 3 Day Early Access, Premium Ace Pass Plus Voucher [Unlock the Premium Ace Pass for the Currrent Season] (includes ADFX-02 Morgan -Pixy aircraft + Ace Pass Levels [Instant Unlock of 30 Premium Ace Pass Levels]), and Customizable Cosmetic Set (includes F-4E Mobius Squadro Skin, F/A-1BC Team Zvezda Skin, Scarlet Missile Smoke, and Tasha Costume Set.)
  • ACE COMBAT 8 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. The game is 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 a fast-paced arcade-style gameplay and deploy powerful weapons to dominate the battlefield.
  • A VISCERAL JOURNEY FROM COCKPIT TO GROUND. Beyond the chaos in the air, breathtaking 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.

Bandai Namco describes the set as Online Mode content. The two aircraft skins can be used in Campaign Mode after the campaign is completed. Check the contents of the edition or add-on offered in your region before buying; the publisher’s edition guide lists what the Deluxe Edition includes. Official ACE COMBAT 8 site and edition information.

Online progression, store currency, and timing

ACE COMBAT ONLINE has progression and save data separate from Campaign Mode. Its overview says players earn currency through missions and can spend it in the ACE COMBAT Store on aircraft and cosmetic items. That means a store item is not necessarily a real-money purchase; the overview describes an in-game currency route, too. It does not establish that every cosmetic will be obtainable this way.

Rank #2
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE | Standard Edition | Xbox Series X|S Digital Code
  • TAKE FLIGHT AS AN ELITE ACE — Step into the cockpit and soar through thrilling missions, intense dogfights, and high-stakes aerial combat developed by PROJECT ACES.
  • AERIAL WARFARE IN LIVING SKIES — Experience stunning visuals featuring dynamic multi-layered cloudscapes, realistic weather conditions, and breathtaking skies that transform every battle.
  • FAST-PACED ARCADE AIR COMBAT — Engage enemy aircraft, deploy powerful weapons, and dominate the battlefield with the signature high-speed gameplay the ACE COMBAT series is known for.
  • A VISCERAL PILOT STORY — Experience dramatic first-person sequences, cinematic storytelling, squad relationships, and the pressures of command between missions.
  • THE LARGEST ONLINE MODE IN SERIES HISTORY — Explore the franchise's first online lobby, customize your avatar, and sortie into online missions with pilots worldwide.

Bandai Namco says aircraft DLC included in the Premium Ace Pass will be available for separate purchase after the season ends. That statement concerns aircraft DLC; it does not promise that every skin or other cosmetic reward will return or be sold separately. Read the ACE COMBAT ONLINE overview.

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The Deluxe Edition includes a voucher for the current season’s Premium Ace Pass and instantly unlocks 30 Premium Ace Pass levels. Those benefits are edition-specific; they do not mean that all Premium rewards are immediately unlocked. The official edition guide also lists physical collector editions, whose availability depends on region and retailer. Bandai Namco’s edition guide.

Rank #3
Thrustmaster T.FLIGHT HOTAS NEO ACE COMBAT 8 WINGS OF THEVE Edition – Officially Licensed Simulation Controller – Flight Joystick & Throttle with Vibration Feedback - PS5, PS4, PC
  • ✈️ OFFICIAL ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE LICENSE : Step into the cockpit of Strangereal's most legendary pilots with this official Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve licensed Thrustmaster HOTAS. Designed for PS5, PS4 and PC, plug in and take off immediately.
  • 🎯 ABSOLUTE COMBAT PRECISION : Dominate the skies with 16-bit technology and 7 control axes including the Z-axis. With 16 action buttons, a rapid-fire trigger and a multidirectional hat switch, every missile launched and every maneuver executed is accurate to the millimeter.
  • 💥 IMMERSIVE VIBRATION FEEDBACK : Feel every missile impact, every cannon burst and every turbulence directly in your palm, thanks to the vibration motor built into the grip.
  • 🔧 DETACHABLE THROTTLE: Customize your joystick to suit your gaming style! Rest the joystick on your lap, or detach the throttle for use on a desk or table. Experience tailor-made comfort for back-to-back missions with no compromises.
  • 🛫 DUAL RUDDER SYSTEM : Control your aircraft's rotation via the joystick's Z-axis or the tilting lever on the detachable throttle. Two options, total freedom to dominate every combat situation.

Are paid rewards randomized?

No, according to Bandai Namco’s official FAQ: “ACE COMBAT 8 does not include paid loot box mechanics, or other randomized paid rewards. Players can view all available content and rewards before making a purchase.” This is the publisher’s stated policy on the FAQ page; it describes the system as stated there, not a guarantee about future policy changes. Read the official FAQ.

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What is not confirmed about future skins?

Bandai Namco said it was not ready to share details about future post-launch content plans in the cited FAQ. The available announcements therefore do not establish future skin lists, pass reward counts, rotations, or whether particular cosmetics will later be sold separately. The Steam DLC page lists the Customizable Cosmetic Set as an add-on, but its captured regional view displayed Korean won; that is not a universal price. View the Steam DLC listing.

Best Value
HORI Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Flight Stick for Playstation 5, Playstation 4, and Windows PC- Officially Licensed by Bandai Namco Entertainment and Sony
  • Magnetic contactless sensors provide smooth, accurate input and long‑lasting durability
  • Independent throttle & brake levers offer fast, intuitive control for rapid speed adjustments during combat
  • Ambidextrous, symmetrical design
  • Dedicated High‑G Mode button for instantly trigger High-G turns
  • Officially Licensed by Bandai Namco Entertainment and SONY
Rank #4
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve - Deluxe Edition (Xbox Series X)
  • PRE-ORDER BONUS: - Playable Aircraft: F-14A - ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR* *Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War” is a ported version of the original game released in 2006. Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War” is a available from launch on the 2 October 2026. An internet connection is required to access this content.
  • 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. The game is 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 a fast-paced arcade-style gameplay and deploy powerful weapons to dominate the battlefield.
  • A visceral journey from cockpit to ground. Beyond the chaos in the air, breathtaking first-person scenes reveal your pilot’s story through immersive 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.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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Ace Combat 8ACE PASSaircraft skinsBandai NamcoGaming

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