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Both routes are available: ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE has aircraft skins earned through free season progression, additional skins on the Premium Ace Pass track, and cosmetics tied to the Deluxe Edition. Bandai Namco’s Season 1 reward list names 12 skins on the free track and 13 additional skins on the Premium track; those counts apply to Season 1, not necessarily later seasons.
Free vs. Premium Ace Pass skins
The Ace Pass is the season-progression route for rewards in ACE COMBAT ONLINE. Season 1 lasts two months, and its rewards are earned by progressing through online play. The Season 1 announcement lists these aircraft rewards:
| Route | Season 1 aircraft rewards | How access works |
|---|---|---|
| Free Ace Pass | 12 aircraft skins | Progress through ACE COMBAT ONLINE and unlock rewards on the free track. |
| Premium Ace Pass | 13 additional aircraft skins and the playable ADFX-02 Morgan–PIXY | Purchase Premium access, then progress through its rewards. The Deluxe Edition includes a voucher for the current season’s Premium track and instantly unlocks 30 levels. |
Bandai Namco also says that completing all 100 levels of both the Free and Premium Ace Pass before the season ends awards 500 Ace Coins total. These are Season 1 figures, not stated as permanent amounts for every season. The publisher has not stated the pass price in the cited announcements. Bandai Namco’s Season One announcement has the reward details.
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The Deluxe Edition’s Customizable Cosmetic Set includes two named aircraft skins: the F-4E “MOBIUS SQUADRON” and the F/A-18C “TEAM ZVEZDA.” It also includes a Tasha costume and Scarlet missile smoke customization. Bandai Namco describes these items as Online Mode content; the aircraft skins can be used in Campaign Mode after you complete the campaign. The Deluxe Edition additionally includes a Premium Ace Pass Plus voucher and an instant unlock of 30 Premium Ace Pass levels. Those pass benefits are separate from the two named skins.
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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.
The official edition guide and FAQ lists the set’s contents and mode condition. The Steam DLC page also lists the Customizable Cosmetic Set as an add-on; its displayed price can vary by regional storefront, so no universal price is stated here.
Can you get cosmetics without buying a pass?
Yes, at least some skins are explicitly available through the free Ace Pass: Season 1 lists 12. There is also an in-game store route. Bandai Namco says players earn 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-world payment; the cited overview describes currency earned in missions.
Rank #2
- 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.
ACE COMBAT ONLINE has progression and save data separate from Campaign Mode. Online reward progress therefore should not be confused with campaign progression, and the Deluxe set’s campaign-use condition is a distinct exception tied to completing the campaign. See Bandai Namco’s ACE COMBAT ONLINE overview for the online progression and store details.
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Bandai Namco says aircraft DLC included in the Premium Ace Pass will be available to purchase separately after the season ends. That statement concerns aircraft DLC; it does not promise that every cosmetic skin or pass reward will return or be sold separately. The publisher’s cited FAQ also says it was not ready to share details about future post-launch content plans, so future skin rotations and availability are not established.
Rank #3
- ✈️ 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 skins random rewards?
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 describes the publisher’s stated policy on that page, not a guarantee about any future policy revision.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which edition or route should you choose?
- Want to earn skins without buying Premium? The Season 1 Free Ace Pass lists 12 aircraft skins.
- Want the additional Season 1 track rewards? Premium Ace Pass access includes 13 more skins and the ADFX-02 Morgan–PIXY; rewards still involve progressing through the pass, apart from the Deluxe Edition’s 30-level instant unlock.
- Want the two named Deluxe skins? They are part of the Customizable Cosmetic Set, with Campaign Mode use unlocked only after campaign completion.
- Considering a later season or a returning cosmetic? Confirm its listing and terms at the time you play; the cited post-season purchase statement applies to aircraft DLC, not every skin.
For console buyers, Bandai Namco’s edition guide says the base game is sold digitally and on physical disc for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, depending on country and participating retailer. The Deluxe Edition adds the cosmetic set and pass benefits described above. The guide also describes physical Joker Flight Pack and Premium Joker Flight Pack collector editions with vinyl and an artbook; their availability is region- and date-dependent. Bandai Namco’s edition guide provides the edition context.
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
Rank #4
- 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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