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Ace Combat 8 Aircraft Skins: Unlockable vs. Paid Content Explained

Ace Combat 8 offers aircraft skins through both free Season 1 progression and paid content. Here’s what each route includes and where Deluxe skins can be used.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE has both free and paid ways to get aircraft skins. In Season 1, the free Ace Pass track lists 12 skins, while the Premium Ace Pass adds 13 more. Separate Deluxe Edition cosmetics include two named skins with a mode restriction: they are for Online Mode and become usable in Campaign Mode after you complete the campaign.

Free and Premium Ace Pass skins

The Season 1 reward table published by Bandai Namco Entertainment America on 1 October 2026 lists 12 aircraft skins on the free Ace Pass track and 13 additional skins on the Premium Ace Pass track. These counts describe Season 1; they are not a stated allowance for every season.

Ace Pass rewards are earned through progression in ACE COMBAT ONLINE. Premium access makes that track’s additional rewards available, but players still progress through its levels to earn them. The Season 1 Premium track also includes the playable ADFX-02 Morgan–PIXY aircraft.

Route What it includes How access works
Free Ace Pass 12 aircraft skins in Season 1 Earn rewards by progressing through ACE COMBAT ONLINE.
Premium Ace Pass 13 additional aircraft skins and the ADFX-02 Morgan–PIXY in Season 1 Requires Premium track access, then progression to earn its rewards. The sources do not state the pass price.
Deluxe Edition voucher Premium Ace Pass Plus voucher and instant unlock of 30 Premium Ace Pass levels Deluxe Edition includes a voucher for the current season’s Premium track; the 30 levels are an instant unlock.

Bandai Namco says each ACE PASS season lasts two months. Completing all 100 levels of the Free and Premium Ace Pass before the season ends awards 500 Ace Coins in Season 1. These are Season 1 terms, not a guarantee of later season rewards. See Bandai Namco’s Season One reward details.

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#1 Best Overall
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE - PlayStation 5
  • 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.

Deluxe Edition skins and Campaign access

The Deluxe Edition’s Customizable Cosmetic Set names the F-4E “MOBIUS SQUADRON” and F/A-18C “TEAM ZVEZDA” skins, alongside a Tasha costume and Scarlet missile smoke customization. The publisher describes these as Online Mode content. The aircraft skins become available in Campaign Mode after the campaign is completed, so they are not Campaign unlocks from the start.

The Deluxe Edition also includes the base game, a Premium Ace Pass Plus voucher, and an instant unlock of 30 Premium Ace Pass levels. Edition contents and availability can vary by country and retailer. The official game and FAQ page lists the cosmetics and their mode condition.

Rank #2
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

Online store purchases and season timing

ACE COMBAT ONLINE has progression and save data separate from Campaign Mode. Players earn in-game currency through missions and can use the ACE COMBAT Store to acquire aircraft and purchase cosmetic items. That means a store item should not automatically be assumed to require real-money payment; the official overview describes currency earned through missions.

Bandai Namco says aircraft DLC included in the Premium Ace Pass will be available for separate purchase after the season ends. This statement is about aircraft DLC, not every cosmetic reward: it does not establish that all pass skins will return or be sold separately. The publisher’s ACE COMBAT ONLINE overview also explains separate online progression and the store.

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Rank #3
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.

Are paid skins randomized?

No paid loot boxes or other randomized paid rewards are part of the announced system, 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 is not a guarantee against future policy changes.

What is known about future skins?

Bandai Namco has not established a future skin schedule in the cited official material. Its FAQ says it was not ready to share details about future post-launch content plans. Treat later cosmetics, pass rotations, and the return of specific skins as unknown unless the publisher announces them.

Rank #4
ACE COMBAT 7: Skies Unknown Deluxe Edition (Switch)
  • Unreal Engine 4 Technologies - Breathtaking clouds coupled with highly detailed aircraft and photorealistic scenery make this the most engaging Ace Combat to date.
  • Dynamic Weather - Witness the sudden changes during your flight and strive to fight the environmental conditions to take advantage over your enemy.
  • Return To Strange Real-World - The alternative Ace Combat universe is composed of real-world current and near-future weapons, but with a history steeped in Ace Combat lore.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Which edition includes the Deluxe skins?

The official edition guide says the Deluxe Edition includes the Customizable Cosmetic Set. The base game edition does not list those two skins as included. The game is offered digitally and on physical disc for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, depending on country and participating retailer; consult the relevant regional listing for current edition availability. Bandai Namco’s edition guide covers the editions and collector packs.

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