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In ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE, you can get aircraft skins through the free or Premium Ace Pass, online progression and rewards, or edition bonuses. The free Ace Pass uses mission-earned XP and includes skins; you do not need the Premium pass to earn every skin available on the free track. Some edition skins have additional mode restrictions: the Deluxe Edition’s F-4E “MOBIUS SQUADRON” and F/A-18C “TEAM ZVEZDA” skins can be used in Campaign Mode only after you complete all campaign missions.
Unlock skins through the Ace Pass
Ace Pass rewards are earned by gaining XP from missions in ACE COMBAT ONLINE and progressing through the seasonal reward track. The free track includes aircraft skins; the Premium track adds rewards beyond those on the free track. You can inspect the live in-game track to see the current rewards and the level needed for a particular item.
Free Ace Pass
Season One includes 12 aircraft skins on the Free Ace Pass track, according to Bandai Namco’s October 1, 2026 announcement. Some free levels do not award an item. The announcement does not provide a text list pairing every skin with its exact pass level, so check the in-game track for a specific unlock.
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Season One’s Premium track adds 13 aircraft skins beyond the free-track rewards. Redeeming the Season One Premium Ace Pass or Premium Ace Pass Plus unlocks the ADFX-02 Morgan–PIXY and its special skin collection. The Plus version also advances your pass by 30 levels immediately; that is an instant level skip, not a statement that every skin is available without meeting other requirements.
#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.
Other ways to get aircraft skins
Deluxe Edition bonuses
The Deluxe Edition includes the F-4E “MOBIUS SQUADRON” skin and F/A-18C “TEAM ZVEZDA” skin. Both can be used online, and Campaign Mode use unlocks after you complete every campaign mission. The edition also includes a Premium Ace Pass Plus voucher, which redeems one season and is not tied to a particular season; you can save it for a future season. The publisher describes the Tasha Costume Set and Scarlet missile smoke customization as online-only items.
Online aircraft progression and rewards
Aircraft gain levels as they survive sorties, and the online mode allows you to customize a plane’s skin, emblem and weathering. The official online overview also describes rank and mission rewards, but does not establish one universal aircraft level or rank requirement for every skin. Treat progression as another route to customization and rewards, not as a confirmed level requirement for a particular named skin.
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.
Season timing and item availability
Bandai Namco says each Ace Pass season lasts two months and that its rewards change from season to season. Its October 1, 2026 Season One announcement advised players to redeem the Season One pass before the season ended in November 2026 to obtain the ADFX-02 Morgan–PIXY reward. Because seasonal rewards rotate, the current in-game track is the best place to verify whether a particular item is still available and what level unlocks it. The publisher says Premium Ace Pass aircraft DLC is planned to become separately purchasable after its season, but confirm availability for the specific item rather than assuming every reward can be bought later.
Quick route comparison
| Route | Cost or access | Progression | Mode notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Ace Pass | Free track | Earn XP from ACE COMBAT ONLINE missions and level the seasonal track | Season One lists 12 aircraft skins; check the live track for an individual level |
| Premium Ace Pass | Paid seasonal track | Mission XP and pass levels; Premium Ace Pass Plus includes a 30-level immediate advance | Season One lists 13 additional skins; Morgan–PIXY and its special skin collection unlock on redemption of the Season One Premium pass |
| Deluxe Edition | Included with the edition | Edition bonus; complete all campaign missions for Campaign Mode use of the two named aircraft skins | F-4E “MOBIUS SQUADRON” and F/A-18C “TEAM ZVEZDA” are usable online; Tasha Costume Set and Scarlet missile smoke are online-only |
| Online progression and rewards | Earn through online play | Aircraft level as they survive sorties; rank and mission rewards are also described | No universal aircraft level or rank requirement is stated for every skin |
What is not specified for every skin
The official Season One announcement counts skins on the free and Premium tracks but does not textually identify every skin’s exact pass level. Nor does the online overview give a universal alternate unlock requirement for all aircraft skins. For a particular item, use the current in-game reward track and check its displayed requirement rather than relying on a general aircraft-level or rank threshold.
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.
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