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Updated October 4, 2026: The “before Ace Combat 8” window has passed: Bandai Namco says Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launched worldwide on October 2, 2026. Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is still worth considering if you want a focused flight-combat campaign, but the available official information does not make it a prerequisite for AC8. Choose based on whether you want AC7’s campaign or AC8’s newer online features—not on an assumed required play order.
Is Ace Combat 7 worth playing in 2026?
For players seeking a single-player campaign built around arcade-style aerial combat, aircraft and dramatic fictional-war storytelling, AC7 remains a reasonable choice. Its strongest documented appeal is the flight action and presentation; its campaign and story are less consistently praised. That recommendation is an assessment of the product details and critic-review record, not a claim of firsthand play.
![PS4 ACE COMBAT 7: SKIES UNKNOWN (US) [video game]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/510WZEHzcJL._SL160_.jpg)
Reviews collected by Metacritic’s critic-review listings praise elements such as combat, aircraft, sky visuals, weather effects and, in some reviews, VR implementation. Critical reservations include sparse checkpoints or tedious stretches in some missions, a melodramatic plot that does not work for every reviewer, and criticism of multiplayer or features omitted from the series. These are reviewer judgments, not universal defects.
On PC, Steam lists AC7 as single-player and online PvP and displays a “Very Positive” English-language user-review summary. That is a changing Steam user-review snapshot, not critic consensus or evidence of how populated multiplayer is today.
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- 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.
Do you need to play AC7 before AC8?
No requirement to complete AC7 before starting AC8 is established by the official material available here. Bandai Namco describes AC8’s own campaign setting and characters, but that does not establish a mandatory story order—or prove that the games have no narrative connections. If AC8 is the game you want, you can start there without treating AC7 as homework.
AC7 is a choice for its own campaign and flight combat. AC8, now available for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam, is the current entry and has its own campaign and separately described multiplayer mode. The publisher’s launch announcement introduces the Federation of Central Usea, its occupied capital Theve, and the pilot known as the Wings of Theve.
AC7 and AC8: what should you compare?
| What matters | Ace Combat 7 | Ace Combat 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign | Older campaign-focused option; the official product page lists the game and its editions. | Current campaign set in the publisher-described Federation of Central Usea and occupied Theve. |
| Online play | Online multiplayer is listed for the game, with platform and edition caveats. | ACE COMBAT ONLINE includes Co-Op Assault and Co-Op Warfare; the publisher describes cross-play and an Air Base hub for up to 100 players. |
| Platforms listed by official sources | Bandai Namco lists editions for PlayStation, Xbox, Steam and Switch; CESA’s 2018 award release also lists PSVR. | PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Steam. |
| VR and flight-stick support | Support depends on edition. The Switch edition explicitly lacks VR and flight-stick support. | Not stated in the cited official AC8 material. |
| Current price comparison | Not established by the cited official listings. | Not established by the cited official listings. |
AC8’s official site says ACE COMBAT ONLINE is multiplayer-only, with save data and progression separate from Campaign Mode. That separation means online progression is not a continuation of campaign progress. It also makes the comparison straightforward: choose AC7 for its campaign as an older entry, or consider AC8 if its newer online modes and cross-play are your priority. These features alone do not prove one game is categorically better.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check the AC7 edition and platform before buying
AC7 is sold in multiple editions, and features are not identical across them. Bandai Namco’s official product and edition page lists PlayStation, Xbox, Steam and Nintendo Switch options, including digital editions with varying DLC contents. The Japan Game Awards 2018 Future Division release from CESA lists PS4 / PSVR, Xbox One and Steam.
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If you are considering the Switch edition
Bandai Namco’s product page says the Switch edition does not support VR, flight sticks, local communication play or cross-platform multiplayer. Multiplayer also requires Nintendo Switch Online. Do not assume Switch has feature parity with other editions.
If you are comparing bundles or used copies
The Japanese product page describes 25th Anniversary and other digital editions with differing DLC contents, as well as a packaged Premium Edition in which the base game is on disc and DLC comes as one-time product codes. A used or older boxed copy may not include redeemable codes, so check the specific copy rather than counting on add-ons being available.
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Bandai Namco’s US store listing currently identifies standard PS4 and Xbox One editions. Match the product to your system; the listing does not establish current Amazon inventory or pricing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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
Which game should you choose?
- Choose AC7 if you want its campaign and aerial combat, or want an older entry without assuming that you must play it before AC8.
- Choose AC8 if you want the latest installment’s campaign and are particularly interested in its announced cross-play, Co-Op Assault, Co-Op Warfare and other online events.
- Check edition details first if you are buying AC7 for Switch, VR, a flight stick or included DLC; support and bundle contents vary.
- Compare current platform prices directly before deciding on value. The cited official listings do not provide a reliable like-for-like price comparison.
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.
