Quick answer
On the US Steam store (checked October 1, 2026), the Standard Edition costs $69.99 and the Deluxe Edition costs $89.99.[1] For the extra $20 (our calculation), the Deluxe Edition adds three things:[1]
- 3-Day Early Access
- a Customizable Cosmetic Set
- a PREMIUM ACE PASS PLUS Voucher
Early access only counts before the October 2 launch. Bandai Namco says the Deluxe Edition stays on sale after launch, but without the early access bonus.[2] After launch, the Deluxe Edition's lasting extras are the voucher (one season of the Premium Ace Pass plus a 30-level skip) and the cosmetics.
Editions compared
| Standard | Deluxe | Joker Flight Pack | Premium Joker Flight Pack | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $69.99 (Steam US)[1] | $89.99 (Steam US)[1] | $149.99 (Bandai Namco US store)[3] | €179.99 (Bandai Namco Europe store, out of stock)[4] |
| Full game | Yes[5] | Yes[1] | Yes, as the Deluxe Edition[3] | Yes, as a Deluxe Edition Steam key[6] |
| 3-day early access | No | Yes (digital pre-orders)[1][2] | Yes, delivery-dependent[3] | Key arrives 3 days before release[6] |
| Customizable Cosmetic Set | No | Yes[1] | Yes[3] | Yes[6] |
| PREMIUM ACE PASS PLUS Voucher | No | Yes[1] | Yes[3] | Yes[6] |
| Vinyl soundtrack (2 LPs) + slipmat | No | No | Yes[3] | Yes[6] |
| "ACES at WAR A HISTORY 2029" artbook | No | No | Yes, 208 pages[3] | Yes, 208 pages[6] |
| LED XXL mousepad + woven patch | No | No | No | Yes[6] |
| Where / platforms | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam)[5] | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam)[5] | US store lists PS5 and Steam; Europe store sells it for PC (Steam) only[3][5] | Europe store, PC (Steam) only, pre-order only[6][5] |
Our calculation (US prices above): Deluxe is +$20 over Standard. The Joker Flight Pack is +$80 over Standard and +$60 over Deluxe.
Prices differ by store, region and currency. Bandai Namco Europe lists the Standard Edition at €69.99 and says other editions and currencies "may have different prices".[5] Bandai Namco's US store lists the same $69.99 and $89.99 for its PS5 and Xbox Series X listings.[7][8]
One small mismatch: Bandai Namco America's June announcement called the Joker Flight Pack artbook "200-page", while the current US store page says "208 full-colored inner pages".[9][3]
The pre-order bonus: F-14A and ACE COMBAT ZERO
Every edition pre-ordered before October 2 includes the playable F-14A and ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR.[5] Bandai Namco Europe describes this ZERO as a ported version of the 2006 game, "not a remastered or updated version".[5]
On Steam, ZERO is "a DLC executable launched separately from the base game". ACE COMBAT 8 must stay installed to use it.[1] In a later Steam announcement, Bandai Namco explained that ZERO "cannot currently be released on Steam as a standalone application". It says it is looking at options with platform partners, but "cannot guarantee that any changes will be made".[10]
How the Ace Pass and the voucher work
| Pass tier | What it gives | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| ACE PASS | A "free seasonal progression track available to all players" | Free[2] |
| PREMIUM ACE PASS | Extra rewards at each level, plus premium seasonal content such as the ADFX-02 Morgan (Season 1) | Sold separately; price not published on the pages we checked[2] |
| PREMIUM ACE PASS PLUS | Everything in the Premium Ace Pass, plus a 30-level skip | Included in the Deluxe voucher, or sold separately[2] |
The pass belongs to ACE COMBAT ONLINE, the online mode, and it is "scheduled to be updated every two months".[2]
Redeeming the Deluxe voucher, step by step:
- Open the in-game SHOP. The voucher "can be exchanged for the PREMIUM ACE PASS PLUS in the in-game SHOP".[11]
- Pick your season. The voucher covers one season and "is not tied to a specific season", so you can save it for a later one.[2] Bandai Namco Europe's wording is that it unlocks the season that is active when you redeem it.[12]
- Season 1 reward. In Season 1, the ADFX-02 Morgan -PIXY- is the Level 1 reward.[2] It also works in Online Mode. In Campaign Mode, you can only use it after you complete all campaign missions.[2] For the campaign's own aircraft unlocks, see our aircraft tree guide.
- If you skip a season. Bandai Namco says Premium Ace Pass aircraft are planned to go on sale separately after their season ends.[2]
Bandai Namco also states that the game has no paid loot boxes or "other randomized paid rewards".[2]
What is in the Customizable Cosmetic Set
| Item | Where you can use it |
|---|---|
| F-4E Mobius Squadron 25th Anniversary Skin | Online Mode, and Campaign Mode after completing all missions[2] |
| F/A-18C Team Zvezda Skin | Online Mode, and Campaign Mode after completing all missions[2] |
| Online Lobby Avatar Outfit: Tasha | ACE COMBAT ONLINE only[13] |
| Aircraft Upgrade Part Missile Smoke [Scarlet] | ACE COMBAT ONLINE only[13] |
The Xbox store warns that the Deluxe Edition already includes this set, "Please take care to avoid duplicate purchases."[13]
Early access fine print
- Bandai Namco's June 2 announcement: early access comes with Deluxe Edition pre-orders only, and "in some countries, available with digital versions only."[14]
- If you buy the Deluxe Edition digitally between September 29 and October 2, you get a copy that is already unlocked for early access.[5]
- On physical Deluxe and Joker orders, the US store says "We are unable to guarantee the early access duration", because delivery dates vary.[8][3]
For exact unlock times in your time zone, see release time and platforms.
Not confirmed
- Premium Ace Pass price on its own: not listed on the official pages we checked.
- Future DLC: Bandai Namco says it is "not ready to share details about future content plans".[2]
- Twitch drops: we found no official Twitch drops campaign.
- A "Collector's Edition": we found no edition sold under that name. The physical collector packs are the Joker and Premium Joker Flight Packs above.
Sources & References
- ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE on Steam (US store: prices, Deluxe Edition contents, pre-order notes) ↩ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
- Bandai Namco Entertainment America: ACE COMBAT 8 official site (editions and FAQ) ↩ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
- Bandai Namco US Store: ACE COMBAT 8 Joker Flight Pack ↩ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
- Bandai Namco Store (Europe): ACE COMBAT products ↩
- Bandai Namco Europe: "ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE: All You Need To Know" ↩ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
- Bandai Namco Store (Europe): ACE COMBAT 8 Premium Joker Flight Pack, PC ↩ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- Bandai Namco US Store: ACE COMBAT 8 Standard Edition ↩
- Bandai Namco US Store: ACE COMBAT 8 Deluxe Edition ↩ 1, 2
- Bandai Namco Entertainment America: "ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Takes Flight This October" (Jun 2, 2026) ↩
- ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE on Steam: "About ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR" ↩
- Xbox Store: ACE COMBAT 8 - PREMIUM ACE PASS PLUS Voucher ↩
- Bandai Namco Europe: ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE official website ↩
- Xbox Store: ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE - Customizable Cosmetic Set ↩ 1, 2, 3
- ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE on Steam: "ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE takes flight on October 2nd, 2026!" (Jun 2, 2026) ↩