Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstalliTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To change an aircraft’s appearance, enter ACE COMBAT ONLINE and use the aircraft customization options at the Air Base. Select an aircraft, then choose an available skin or emblem from the options shown in the game and confirm with the on-screen prompt. Bandai Namco confirms that online aircraft can be customized with skins, emblems, and weathering, but its official pages do not publish exact menu labels or button presses.
Change a skin or emblem in ACE COMBAT ONLINE
- Enter ACE COMBAT ONLINE. Its progression and save data are separate from Campaign Mode, so start in the online mode if you want to use the customization system described here.
- Go to the Air Base and open the aircraft area. Select the aircraft you want to customize and look for its visual customization options.
- Choose a skin or emblem. Pick an option available for that aircraft, then confirm using the prompt displayed in your current game build. Weathering is another visual customization category identified by Bandai Namco.
- If an option is locked, check its availability. Look at ACE PASS rewards and the game’s progression or store options. Some cosmetics are seasonal rewards, and the available reward pool can change.
The official online overview confirms these customization features but does not provide a complete menu-by-menu walkthrough or controller and keyboard inputs. Menu wording and prompts may therefore differ from informal guides; follow what the current build displays rather than relying on an unverified button sequence.
Where skins and emblems come from
Some cosmetics are available through ACE PASS progression. Bandai Namco describes the free ACE PASS as a seasonal progression track available to all players, with cosmetic and aircraft-upgrade item rewards. Its FAQ also identifies Premium and Premium Plus as additional reward tiers; Premium Plus includes a 30-level skip. Pass tracks advance through XP earned by completing missions.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Season One reward counts
| Season One track | Aircraft skins | Emblems | Other listed reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free ACE PASS | 12 | 9 | Cosmetic and aircraft-upgrade item rewards |
| Premium ACE PASS | 13 additional skins | 9 additional emblems | ADFX-02 Morgan–PIXY playable aircraft |
These counts come from Bandai Namco Entertainment America’s October 1, 2026 Season One announcement; they describe that season, not a guaranteed reward list for later seasons. The announcement says each season lasts two months and rewards change each season. The free track includes cosmetics, so buying a Premium pass is not presented as a requirement for changing skins or emblems in general.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Online and Campaign Mode are separate
Bandai Namco describes ACE COMBAT ONLINE as a mode with progression and save data separate from Campaign Mode. The official material cited for this guide confirms skins and emblems in the online customization system; it does not establish the exact procedure or availability of the same options in Campaign Mode. Do not assume an online unlock, equipped appearance, or interface carries over to the campaign.
Appearance choices are also distinct from aircraft progression and performance upgrades. Bandai Namco says online aircraft can gain levels that improve parameters and may unlock aircraft-specific abilities; those gameplay changes are not the same thing as choosing a skin or emblem.
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.
If you cannot equip the option you want
- Check whether it is unlocked for that aircraft. Select the aircraft you intend to use and inspect its available visual options.
- Check the relevant reward track. A skin or emblem may be tied to ACE PASS progression rather than immediately available.
- Check the season. Season One’s rewards should not be treated as the current or permanent reward pool; the publisher says rewards change each season.
- Make sure you are in the intended mode. Online progression and saves are separate from Campaign Mode.
- Use the current on-screen instructions. The official pages do not document exact button presses, so do not assume a control sequence from another build or platform.
Bandai Namco Europe says aircraft DLC included in a Premium ACE PASS will be available separately after the season ends. That statement concerns aircraft DLC; it does not confirm that every skin or emblem will later be sold separately.
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.
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.
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.
