ACE COMBAT 8 Wings of Theve Announced at TGA 2025 Set for 2026 Launch with Multiplayer Dogfights

Bandai Namco Aces has officially lifted the curtain on ACE COMBAT 8 Wings of Theve during The Game Awards 2025, confirming a long awaited return for the iconic flight action franchise. The new mainline entry is scheduled to launch in 2026 on PC PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S and X, marking the first numbered installment in seven years and closing the chapter on months of speculation following an earlier resume related leak.

Built on Unreal Engine 5 alongside Bandai Namco Aces’ proprietary technology, ACE COMBAT 8 aims to push the franchise to new technical and cinematic heights. According to the official announcement, players can expect a visually striking and ultra realistic aerial combat experience that blends arcade inspired dogfighting with immersive storytelling.

The new title features a fully realized single player Campaign Mode set in the franchise’s signature fictional universe Strangereal. Players step into the role of an elite ace pilot during a time of national crisis. With the Federation of Central Usea occupied and its navy destroyed, the player assumes the mantle of the legendary Wings of Theve, an ace whose name has become a symbol of resistance and hope for the capital city of Theve and its citizens. Joined by three newly introduced fighter pilots, players embark on a high stakes mission to reclaim their homeland while navigating the emotional weight of leadership identity and sacrifice.

Bandai Namco Aces emphasizes that player choice and narrative immersion will play a key role in the campaign. The studio teased dramatic cinematics that can be viewed from a first person cockpit perspective, further deepening the sense of presence and emotional connection to the unfolding story. The pressure of command the bonds formed in battle and the consequences of war are central themes woven throughout the experience.

Beyond the single player campaign, ACE COMBAT 8 Wings of Theve will include multiplayer modes designed around high speed aerial combat. These modes allow players to engage in competitive dogfights against both friends and rivals, expanding the game’s replayability and reinforcing its arcade focused roots. As with previous entries, players will pilot a wide selection of real world fighter jets sourced from global arsenals, each rendered with meticulous attention to detail.

The game continues the legacy of the ACE COMBAT franchise by showcasing expansive cloud systems dynamic weather conditions and finely detailed terrain. From turbulent skies to dramatic landscapes, every sortie is designed to deliver spectacle and precision in equal measure, reinforcing the series’ reputation for blending accessibility with depth.

With a modern engine a renewed narrative focus and the return of multiplayer dogfighting, ACE COMBAT 8 Wings of Theve positions itself as one of the most anticipated flight action games of 2026.

Are you excited to return to Strangereal as the Wings of Theve and do you plan to dive into multiplayer dogfights this time around? Share your thoughts.