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There is no verified universally best first plane to unlock in ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE. Keep a carrier-capable aircraft available, check the next mission briefing, and spend MRP on the aircraft or upgrades that address its demands. The Mirage 2000-5 is one flexible candidate, not a proven optimal first purchase.
How to choose your first campaign unlock
Additional campaign fighter jets are unlocked with MRP earned in missions, according to Bandai Namco Entertainment’s official ACE COMBAT 8 walkthrough. That makes each purchase a trade-off: MRP spent on an aircraft is not available for other aircraft or upgrade parts.
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Start with the briefing rather than a fixed ranking. The official guidance is to “Consider the mission objective and your playstyle and pick the best aircraft for the job.” Missions include dogfighting, ground support and air-to-sea strikes against threats to the carrier, so an aircraft suited to one role may be less useful for another. Special weapons and upgrade parts can also shape how a plane performs in its assigned role.
- Read the next mission briefing. Identify whether the task emphasizes air combat, ground targets or sea targets.
- Check aircraft eligibility. Keep a carrier-capable option available when the mission requires one.
- Compare the available aircraft with the mission. Use stated role and performance traits, plus any relevant special weapons, rather than assuming one plane is best for every task.
- Decide whether the unlock is worth the MRP now. Consider whether aircraft parts or upgrades would better address the immediate mission need.
Which aircraft is a sensible early candidate?
Mirage 2000-5: a flexible option, not a guaranteed winner
Bandai Namco describes the Mirage 2000-5 as a multirole fighter with balanced speed and maneuverability in its official aircraft information. Those traits make it a reasonable candidate if you want flexibility across different demands. The description does not establish that it is the best first purchase, say when it becomes available, or give its campaign tree cost.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Match the choice to the mission role
For a dogfight, ground-support sortie or air-to-sea strike, compare the options available to you against the objective and their listed roles and weapons. The available official information supports choosing by role; it does not provide a tested comparative ranking that would justify naming a single winner for all three.
Why carrier capability matters
The Endurance is the campaign’s aircraft carrier and main base, according to Bandai Namco’s official walkthrough. A launch-period review by Tom’s Guide reports that some mid-game missions restrict players to carrier-capable aircraft. Treat that as a practical warning from the review, not as a restriction documented in the official walkthrough: check each briefing and avoid spending so narrowly that you lack an eligible option when a restriction applies.
Rank #2
- 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
What is not established about the unlock order
The available official information does not rank first unlocks, provide a complete aircraft tree or list exact early MRP prices. It also does not establish a validated optimal route across campaign missions. Aircraft availability and costs may change with updates or downloadable content, so use the in-game tree and current mission briefing for your decision rather than relying on an assumed price order.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- 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.
Rank #3
- 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.
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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