Ace Combat 8 becomes fastest-selling game in franchise

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve has passed 1 million copies sold, according to a report published by Final Weapon on 8 October 2026. That milestone makes it the fastest-selling game in the long-running Ace Combat franchise, the outlet reported.

Bandai Namco’s latest flight game launched on 2 October 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam. Final Weapon’s report says the game reached the seven-figure sales mark within only a few days of release, giving Project Aces’ newest sortie a notably quick start.

The launch package also includes a digital copy of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War as a pre-order bonus, alongside an unlockable F-14A aircraft. The official Steam listing describes a campaign built around aerial dogfights, layered cloudscapes, cinematic first-person scenes and relationships with squad members between missions.

A million copies is a particularly strong early result for a series whose appeal rests on a very specific blend of arcade momentum and military-flight spectacle. Ace Combat 8 does not need to reinvent that formula to make an impact; it needs to deliver the confident missions, dramatic presentation and accessible handling that the franchise is known for.

Our opinion

The sales figure is encouraging, but the more interesting test will be whether Ace Combat 8 can sustain that momentum beyond its launch window. A fast start gives Project Aces a strong platform for expansions and future multiplayer support, while the familiar identity of the series remains one of its biggest advantages.

For now, the milestone puts Ace Combat 8 in a rare position: it is both a fresh entry point for new pilots and the fastest-selling chapter in the franchise. That is a meaningful opening statement for a game designed to make air combat feel spectacular without turning every sortie into a simulation.