Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Could Include Ace Combat Zero as a Pre-Order Bonus, Per SteamDB Listing

References for the 2006 PS2 title were spotted on the upcoming sequel's SteamDB page alongside those indicating an online component.

Posted By | On 02nd, Feb. 2026

Ace Combat 8 Wings of Theve

After more than six years, Project Aces finally revealed Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, the next title in the long-running flight combat franchise. It’s out later this year with more details still to come, but it seems that a few bits have leaked courtesy of updates to the game’s SteamDB listing.

As outlined by Ace Combat Wiki (via Ikcatcher), references to Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War have been added. On the surface, this is interesting because it only ever launched on the PlayStation 2 back in 2006, so a contemporary port may be on the way. The fact that it’s part of Ace Combat 8’s listing may point towards its availability as a pre-order bonus.

It wouldn’t be the first time that Bandai Namco has offered such benefits, much less in the Ace Combat franchise. Pre-orders for Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, for instance, included a copy of Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War.

However, that’s not all. A closed network test is also seemingly on the cards for Ace Combat Online, which could be Ace Combat 8’s online PvP mode. While these updates don’t indicate a release timing, it wouldn’t be surprising to see an update at a major showcase like State of Play (rumored for the week of February 12th).

PINCH OF SALT WARNINGIkcatcher saw AC8's SteamDB listing has been updated to add what APPEARS to be a PC port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War. Separate launch options are also present, including a "CNT" for AC8 which may be a Closed Network Test.steamdb.info/app/2288340/…

Ace Combat Wiki (@acecombat.wiki) 2026-01-31T08:02:51.928Z

Another launch option included is a SteamOS launch for "ACZero".AC8's install directory is listed as "RUKBAT", which… we don't know what that means. It could be a codename for the game, referencing a star in the Sagittarius constellation, but we're not sure.

Ace Combat Wiki (@acecombat.wiki) 2026-01-31T08:02:51.929Z

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